How to Read a Book

Kwame Alexander — 2019

A stunning new picture book from Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander and Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet! This New York Times bestselling duo has teamed up for the first time to bring you How to Read a Book, a poetic and beautiful journey about the experience of reading. Find a tree—a black tupelo or dawn redwood will do—and plant yourself. (It’s okay if you prefer a stoop, like Langston Hughes.) With these words, an adventure begins. Kwame Alexander’s evocative poetry and Melissa Sweet’s lush artwork come together to take readers on a sensory journey between the pages of a book.

Reviews

Melissa Palmer@melissapalmer404

Nov 5, 2023

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book that talks about how to read a book. First you find a comfy spot, then you dive in to the colors, the smell, the rustling of pages, by yourself or with friends.

Marsh Wu@narrativore

May 16, 2022

Literally hard to read the words due to the collage typesetting and some of the spaces between words. The poem was good, and excellently shares the emotional feelings of reading in a very bodily way. And the collage illustrations were very nice, but I'd only give it to someone who's already a very fluent and competent reader. I think the issue is that it's a picture book, so people think it's for kids. It would be a fantastic book for adults, but I found it in the kids picture book section of the library.

Caroline Lewicki@clewicki20

Jan 30, 2022

More of a beautiful poem than a story. This is gorgeously illustrated and a real delight to read.

Ashley Wendt@undertheasktra

Sep 6, 2022

Aimee Joy@bluehairedbibliophile

Jun 11, 2022