Hopkins invited writers to create poems to accompany Alcorn's stunning monochromatic art featuring creatures such as a dog, cat, frog, cow, camel, and turtle. The 13 poets include Karla Kuskin, Prince Redcloud, Janet S. Wong, Joseph Bruchac, and former Madison resident Ann Whitford Paul. In "Full Moon and Owl," Paul writes, " . . . three round eyes watching night . . . Owl's cold gold warns Beware." The book's striking design involves varying sizes of type and page colors. Some of the poems are "concrete," suggesting their subject visually. The words of "Porcupine" look prickly, while the words of "She Likes to Hide" glide like a fish across a blue page. These poets make writing literally look like fun. (Ages 8-12)

Inspired by Stephen Alcorn's magnificent animal portraits, popular poet and noted anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins commissioned thirteen poets to craft verses to match the eloquence of this art. The resulting celebration of art and nature captures the subtle intensity and striking textures of a renowned artist's relief-block prints in a unique homage to the power, mystery, and beauty of the natural world.

Lee Bennett Hopkins and Stephen Alcorn's first poetry anthology, My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States,, was honored as one of the best books of 2000 by School Library Journal, the American Booksellers Association, and the New York Public Library. A Junior Library Guild Selection, the book inspired an entire Reading Rainbow program devoted exclusively to it.