“Look at how a tiny collection of words, carefully arranged, can say so much. Poems are bite-sized worlds that can be snacked on word by word or swallowed whole in one big gulp. And, like a picture book, a poem always makes us feel something.”

Many young readers seek out animal stories, animal facts and new-to-them animal discoveries through books. Here’s a lovely opportunity to introduce your animal-lover to a different reading experience.

This large tome (think coffee-table art book) offers an animal poem for each day of the year, mixing classics with new poets. Follow the list for each month if you wish; the watercolor-style digital illustrations will lure you to jump around and browse well ahead of the date. Includes three indexes (poems, poets and first lines).

Recommended for all ages, animal-lovers with time to peruse and savor.