Universe at the Tips of Your Toes: real poems written for real kids

Gold Medal - 2025 Moonbeam Children's Awards

"Full of fun rhymes and deep musings, this bountiful collection expertly balances whimsy and empathy."
- Kirkus reviews

“Vivid, funny, expansive, inclusive—there’s a whole world of wonder in these pages.”
– Liz Garton Scanlon, author of Lolo’s Light

"A lustrous, kaleidoscopic poetry anthology that honors the diverse concerns of contemporary youths... Tips for fellow poets appear throughout, [helping] demystify the poetic craft."
- Foreword Clarion reviews

Typewriter Rodeo writes poems on-the-spot on old typewriters (no AI allowed). Universe is a collection of favorites they did for actual kids and teens, all across the country, who came up to their table—in person, face-to-face—and asked for a poem.

In these pages you'll find poems on friendship and fear, along with odes to baseball, black holes, Edgar Allan Poe, prom, potatoes, bellybuttons, hope, sisters, and farts. Plus 100s more.

Perfect for classrooms & school libraries

Includes the stories behind each poem, writing tips from the poets, and unique po-mojis (poetry emojis).

Features poems by Typewriter Rodeo poets Sean Petrie, Rebecca Bendheim, Megan Benedict, Jodi Egerton, Shanna Gerlach, and Jena Kirkpatrick.

Grades 3-8 (ages 8-14)