FRIENDS AND ANEMONES: Ocean Poems for Children, is a fun and informative collection of original poems and art by New England authors and illustrators. Hands join fins in an adventure through kelp forests to meet sea otters and whales. Attend an underwater birthday party! Voyage through tempests to bottom-of-the-ocean volcanos and mysterious creatures in the deep, deep darkness. This book is a valuable ecological and poetry resource for parents as well as librarians and teachers. The Writers' Loft brings together authors and artists from all over New England to collaborate, because writing doesn't have to be a solitary pursuit!

The poets finished their final revisions for FRIENDS AND ANEMONES by the end of January 2020. Right around the time the world ran out of hand sanitizer and toilet paper, our artists' sketches were due. Deadlines were extended. The world applauded front line workers and made sourdough bread...and more deadlines were extended.  All our artists had challenges: some had adult children suddenly moving into their studios; some had an immense amount of trouble focusing because the news kept getting worse; some worried about and even grieved friends and family members.  Deadlines became vague targets through the haze of a world suddenly controlled by a novel disease doctors didn't know how to treat, nevermind cure.  We are very proud of this 2020 book, made with love by volunteers, for children, and for the ocean. Two things without which the human race definitely would not survive. -- Kristen Wixted and Heather Kelly. 

Find more info, coloring pages, and teacher guides at Writers Loft Press.