Lend a Hand : Poems about Giving

A collection of original poems centered on giving and spontaneous acts of kindness, which also incorporate larger themes of community, intergenerational relationships, young mentors, and care for the environment.

Now in paperback!

"The spread of warmth
should have no bounds."

Making a difference in the world can be as simple as planting a tree, giving up your seat on a bus to a disabled person, or training a puppy to become a guide dog. These are just a few of the simple acts of kindness featured in this collection of fourteen original poems. Each poem emphasizes the compassion and the joy of giving. Representing diverse voices-different ages and backgrounds-the collection shows the bridging of boundaries between people who are often perceived as being different from one another. The first step in bridging those boundaries is to extend a hand.

John Frank is an accomplished poet and the author of several children's books, including three highly-praised poetry collections. Coupled with London Ladd's emotive illustrations, Lend a Hand demonstrates that empathy and social awareness can start at an early age.

John Frank's books include The Toughest Cowboy: or How the Wild West Was Tamed, about which a School Library Journal starred review said, "Tall tales this enjoyable are hard to find," and which was a Bulletin Blue Ribbon Award winner; The Tomb of the Boy King, hailed as a "mesmerizing epic poem" in a starred review in Publishers Weekly and as "perfectly honed" in a starred review in The Horn Book; and How to Catch a Fish, praised in starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Frank lives in Redmond, Washington.

London Ladd graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Illustration. He works primarily in acrylic print in a painterly style, for which his picture book illustrations have been highly praised. He carries a sketchbook and paints with him everywhere he goes. Ladd and his family live in Syracuse, New York.