Dear Acorn (Love, Oak)

Letter Poems to Friends

By Joyce Sidman, Melissa Sweet

Told through poetic letters, this inventive collaboration from Newbery Honor winner Joyce Sidman and two-time Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet reveals the everyday conversations between “big” and “little” objects in our ecosystem. Delightful!


Dear Sky,

Hello! It’s me, Bubble!

I’m here!

Someone’s breathed me

awake!

What is it like to be little? What is it like to be big?

Award-winning poet Joyce Sidman explores both in this lyrical picture book. Whether it’s a small bubble writing to the enormous sky, or a mighty oak reassuring its tiny acorn, these surprising and delightful poems examine how we’re all connected—in both big and small ways. Brilliantly illustrated by Caldecott artist Melissa Sweet, Dear Acorn (Love, Oak) will have readers dreaming up messages of their own to this big, beautiful world. 

ISBN: 9780358334767
Imprint: Clarion Books
On Sale: Sep 2, 2025
List price: $24.99
No of pages: 40
Trim Size: 8.300 in (w) x 10.250 in (h) x 0.450 in (d)
BISAC 1: JUVENILE FICTION / Science & Nature / General
BISAC 2: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
BISAC 3: JUVENILE FICTION / Poetry (see also Stories in Verse) *
BISAC 4:
BISAC 5:
BISAC 6:

Joyce Sidman

Biography

The Newbery Honor winner and Sibert Medalist Joyce Sidman is today’s foremost nature poet for children. Accolades for her books include two Caldecott Honors, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Award, the Claudia Lewis Award, and many stars and best books lists. For her award-winning body of work, she won the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. She lives in Wayzata, Minnesota. Visit joycesidman.com

 

Melissa Sweet

Biography

Melissa Sweet is the Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator of many fine children’s books including Some Writer!: The Story of E. B. White, winner of the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award; Balloons over Broadway, a Sibert Medal winner; and The Right Word and A River of Words, both Caldecott Honor Books. Reviewers have described her unique mixed-media illustrations as “exuberant,” “outstanding,” and “a creative delight.” Melissa lives on the beautiful coast of Maine. In addition to writing and painting, she enjoys gardening, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. For more information about Melissa and her work, visit her online at melissasweet.net.

Told through poetic letters, this inventive collaboration from Newbery Honor winner Joyce Sidman and two-time Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet reveals the everyday conversations between “big” and “little” objects in our ecosystem. Delightful!


Dear Sky,

Hello! It’s me, Bubble!

I’m here!

Someone’s breathed me

awake!

What is it like to be little? What is it like to be big?

Award-winning poet Joyce Sidman explores both in this lyrical picture book. Whether it’s a small bubble writing to the enormous sky, or a mighty oak reassuring its tiny acorn, these surprising and delightful poems examine how we’re all connected—in both big and small ways. Brilliantly illustrated by Caldecott artist Melissa Sweet, Dear Acorn (Love, Oak) will have readers dreaming up messages of their own to this big, beautiful world. 

ISBN: 9780358334767
Imprint: Clarion Books
On Sale: Sep 2, 2025
List price: $24.99
No of pages: 40
Trim Size: 8.300 in (w) x 10.250 in (h) x 0.450 in (d)
BISAC 1: JUVENILE FICTION / Science & Nature / General
BISAC 2: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
BISAC 3: JUVENILE FICTION / Poetry (see also Stories in Verse) *
BISAC 4:
BISAC 5:
BISAC 6:

Joyce Sidman

Biography

The Newbery Honor winner and Sibert Medalist Joyce Sidman is today’s foremost nature poet for children. Accolades for her books include two Caldecott Honors, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Award, the Claudia Lewis Award, and many stars and best books lists. For her award-winning body of work, she won the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. She lives in Wayzata, Minnesota. Visit joycesidman.com

 

Melissa Sweet

Biography

Melissa Sweet is the Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator of many fine children’s books including Some Writer!: The Story of E. B. White, winner of the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award; Balloons over Broadway, a Sibert Medal winner; and The Right Word and A River of Words, both Caldecott Honor Books. Reviewers have described her unique mixed-media illustrations as “exuberant,” “outstanding,” and “a creative delight.” Melissa lives on the beautiful coast of Maine. In addition to writing and painting, she enjoys gardening, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. For more information about Melissa and her work, visit her online at melissasweet.net.