Herrera, Juan Felipe. Jabberwalking. Poetry. Candlewick, 03/2018. 137pp. $22.99. 978-1-5362-0140-6. PB $14.99. 978-0-7636-9264-3. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES 5-ADULT.
Lewis Carroll composed the joyously nonsensical poem “Jabberwocky.” Now, former U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera calls on readers to “jabberwalk”—or simultaneously walk and write—with similarly inventive verbal play. Herrera’s poems “burble” across the pages of this verse manifesto. The narrative plays with English and Spanish, evoking Herrera’s California Latino heritage and youth. The text varies in size, with thickly drawn b&w illustrations occasionally dotting the pages. The artful presentation, Herrera’s approachable and highly energetic style, and his rich use of language offers much to appeal to readers. However, the book neither culminates in a clear call to writing action nor explains exactly how to jabberwalk. Best for older readers and libraries with larger poetry collections. This book has California-specific content.
Molly McCall, San Francisco Public Library