Nature Poetry and Animals of the Night Forest

The Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night
by Joyce Sidman
illustrated by Rick Allen
2011 Newbery Honor Award


Come feel the cool and shadowed breeze,
come smell your way among the trees,
come touch rough bark and leathered leaves:
Welcome to the night.








This book is a stunning collection of lyrical poetry, animal facts and beautiful illustrations.
Each poem focuses on a different animal in the night forest. Each poem also includes a sidebar with further animal facts explained.

As a side note: Rick Allen is a Minnesota Artist, and Joyce Sidman is a Minnesota author. She is also the author of another book of nature poems that I also adore.


Song of the Water Boatman & Other Pond Poems
by Joyce Sidman
illustrated by Beckie Prange (another Minnesota artist)

I wrote about this book here:
When Two Genres Collide Perfectly