The Horn Book Guide

LITERATURE

Sidman, Joyce

What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms, & Blessings

65 pp. | Houghton | October, 2013 | Trade ISBN 978-0-544-10616-1 $16.99

(1) YA Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. Sidman and Zagarenski present "Chants & Charms," "Spells & Invocations," "Laments & Remembrances," and "Praise Songs & Blessings" in a variety of poetic forms. Each poem speaks directly from Sidman's heart to the reader's, addressing subjects of deep importance: forgiveness, friendship, bravery, death, illness, moving. Zagarenski's illustrations beautifully extend the poems with her dreamy style and deft use of white space, symbolism, and images.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014