Wet Cement (2016) is a playful collection of “concrete poems” (also called shape poems). Instead of just reading lines of text, children see poems that form pictures using words and letters.
- A poem about a clock is arranged like a clock face
- A poem about lightning zigzags down the page
- Even the titles themselves are shaped creatively
The book is about 40–50 pages and typically recommended for ages 7–12.
🌟 Why it’s especially good for a 7-year-old
Poems are short, simple, and often humorous.
The book encourages children to:
- See words as art and design
- Think about language in new ways
The book is especially good, if your child:
- Enjoys drawing, puzzles, or visual games
- Is beginning to read independently
- Hasn’t yet connected with traditional poetry
“Aspiring wordsmiths should find plenty of inspiration here.” - Booklist
“Kids will want to wade deeply into this marvelous, winning mix-up.” - Kirkus