When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons

Julie Fogliano's collection of poems follows the calendar year through dated entries, capturing moments and observations from each season. The poems take the form of brief journal entries that mark changes in weather, wildlife, and landscapes. The verses document both quiet nature moments and childhood experiences throughout spring, summer, fall and winter. Natural cycles emerge through observations of gardens, snow, sunlight, and seasonal transitions. The poems connect weather patterns and natural phenomena to human emotions and universal experiences. These interconnected verses explore themes of patience, wonder, and the relationship between the environment and those who inhabit it.

Readers describe this poetry collection as accessible and relatable for children while maintaining literary merit. Parents and teachers note that the poems capture small, everyday moments and seasonal changes that resonate with young readers. Liked: - Simple yet sophisticated language - Julie Morstad's illustrations complement the text - Works well for reading aloud - Organized by dates throughout the year - Appeals to both children and adults Disliked: - Some found the format repetitive - A few readers wanted more variety in poem length - Limited seasonal references for certain climates/regions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (100+ ratings) Notable review quotes: "Each poem feels like a perfect snapshot of a moment in nature" - School Library Journal "The poems notice what children notice" - Horn Book Review "Captures the wonder of everyday observations through a child's eyes" - Kirkus Reviews

Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors by Joyce Sidman This poetry collection follows the changing colors of nature through seasons with sensory details and observations.

Blue on Blue by Dianne White The rhythmic text traces a single day through a rainstorm with observations of weather, nature, and seasonal changes.

A Year in the Forest by Bernardo Carvalho Each spread captures forest life during different months through detailed illustrations and spare text about plants and animals.

Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers' Market by Michelle Schaub The poems follow a day at a farmers' market with descriptions of seasonal produce, vendors, and community gathering.

Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems by Joyce Sidman The collection presents poems about pond life through different seasons with scientific notes about each creature.

🍅 The title comes from a child's observation about tomatoes changing from green to red, capturing the way young people notice and process the subtle changes of seasons 🌱 Author Julie Fogliano wrote the entire collection of poems while observing nature through her window during a year of daily journaling 🎨 The book's illustrator, Julie Morstad, created watercolor artwork that complements each poem's mood and seasonal setting, using a deliberately limited color palette for each season 📅 The poems are arranged by specific dates throughout the year rather than just by season, making it feel like a poet's diary or almanac 🏆 The book received multiple accolades, including being named a 2016 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book and a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly