(3) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Wertz. This collection of twenty-nine jaunty concrete poems about the undersea world explores the varied behaviors of marine life such as the needlefish, spiny puffer, coral reef, and spinner dolphin. The abstract aquatic scenes on blue backgrounds feature bold shapes and lettering in yellow, red, white, and orange. This book would pair nicely with a visit to the aquarium. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Wertz. As in A Curious Collection of Cats, Franco's concrete poems celebrate animals complete with lovable quirks and downright silliness. Wertz's stylish digital illustrations pop with color and capture the personality of each dog variety, from pug to maltipoo. The combination of funny poems and goofy dogs makes for a great gift book--and a sneaky way to inject poetry into someone's life.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Wertz. In each of thirty-two concrete poems, Franco distills the essence of felines in all their grace and ridiculousness, as they interact with dogs, squirrels, one another, and people in a variety of funny ways. Wertz's illustrations, monoprints adjusted in Adobe Photoshop, keep the words that wrap and weave around the cats readable while creating visual interest in the backgrounds.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2009