The Wonder of Small Things

"If peace was something we could taste,
it would be figs drizzled with honey."
- Breathing Peace, Cristina M. R. Norcross


The Wonder of Small Things is an anthology of poems about cultivating wonder and seizing every opportunity to experience awe. The works selected revolve around love, nature, and appreciating small moments.

Every fifteen pages or so, readers can find an Invitation to Writing and Reflection to further explore the themes and ideas presented in one of the poems. The book ends with Reading Group Questions and Topics for Discussions based on specific poems. These Reflective Pauses and prompts ask us to be an active witness to our environment and take some time to write in response.


I loved this book. It is always difficult to judge a whole collection, especially with so many different authors and different styles, but the poems are organized following a common thread through different aspects of nature (trees and light and birds and food) that makes it all feel like one big ensemble work.

The collection is full of beauty and hope, and feels like sitting out in the sun on a warm sunny day.


I think this book, being over 200 pages, would have benefitted from being separated into sections to make it easier to find specific themes.


Added notes
My favourite poems :
AWE, James Crews
THE GROVE, Michael Kleber-Diggs
UNDER THE TEMPLE, Mark Nepo
HEAVENLY BODIES, Alison Luterman
SWIM LESSONS, George Bilgere
BELONGING, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
PRIMITIVE OBJECTS, Holly Wren Spaulding
LISTEN BACK, Brooke McNamara
ODE TO BUTTER, Meghan Dunn
ASK ME, Sue Ann Gleason
CHICKADEE, Meghan Sterling
ARCHILOCHUS COLUBRIS, José A. Alcántara

"Do you believe at times that a moment
chooses you to remember it & tell about it-
so that it may live again?"
- Lately, Laure-Anne Bosselaar

"The ocean's briny smell
fills my lungs with longing
for a simpler life."
- Ocean Love, Carolyn Chilton Casas

"And if it's true we are alone,
we are alone together,
the way blades of grass
are alone, but exist as a field."
- Belonging, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I would definitely recommend picking up a copy of this poetry collection. I certainly appreciate the thought provoking questions it asks after some poems and the writing prompts were also a nice surprise, The Food poems were some of my favorite. This poetry collection is certainly one I plan to own.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy.

An instant zap of serotonin for those of us needing a reminder about the awe-inspring things happening around us everyday.

This is an anthology poetry collection which has asked poet's to share the wonder that is all around us. While all the poem's are different in meter, rhyme and scheme they are all connected by a sense of awe. It's difficult to rate an anthology because some of the poems didn't resonate, while others made me need to close the book and think or share with friends.

I especially resonated with 'Slow Down' by Michelle Wiegers, a poem which juxtaposes the quickness with which we move through life to the value of driving in the slow lane - it's simple but so effective. I laughed out loud when I read 'Meghan Dunn's 'Ode to Butter', which highlighted the joy that can be had if we just stop and notice, "crisping and softening and browning and caramelizing everything it touches. To the sound it's waxed paper wrapper makes when a knife is sliced through at the blue line. Satisfying."

This collection feels like it's been organized into themes, but it's not explicitly divided into them. At first I wished it was, but then I was glad to be able to draw from the poems what I wanted to without being told what theme or focus I was supposed to come in with or walk away with.

Perfect for inspiring writers and poets, each section is punctuated by an invitation to Writing and Reflection. The reader is encouraged to pause their reading and consider or write around a specific theme inspired by the collection. It added a much appreciated engagement with the work that I now wish was in more collections.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for this advanced reader copy.

This book is best read with a pen and paper near by, and an extra handful of time to notice the awe-inspiring small wonders around us everyday.

This is a Beautiful collection of poems designed to make us pause in our hectic day-to-day lives, and look around ourselves in wonder at the world we live in and the people we are connected to. I especially love the thought-provoking journaling questions interspersed throughout, and the book discussion questions at the very end.

This will make an excellent gift for someone (or yourself) even for those professed non-poetry lovers.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This anthology of poetry is amazing. I liked the different topics and the different ways the poets spoke about them. I was highlighting sections and bookmarking pages in my kindle to reread. I also liked the discussion parts throughout to take time to talk about the poems and poetry in general.
Such a great book.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

James Crews is my without a doubt my favourite poetry anthologist and I have him to thank for introducing me to so many of my most-loved poems through his collections 'Healing the Divide: Poems of Kindness and Connection' (2019), 'How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope' (2021) and 'The Path to Kindness: Poems of Connection and Joy' (2022), the latter two published by Storey Publishing who have now produced this latest compilation, subtitled 'Poems of Peace and Renewal.'

As Nikita Gill's foreword and James Crews' own introduction outline, wonder is the theme of this collection and we are treated to over 100 poems which consider this topic from almost every possible angle, finding wonder in the natural and the man-made, in relationships and rituals, in moments and in the passage of time. A handful of the poems were already familiar to me - the collection appropriately begins with Wendell Berry's sublime 'The Peace of Wild Things' and I was delighted to see Maggie Smith's 'First Fall', Ross Gay's 'Sorrow Is Not My Name' and Ada Limón's 'Joint Custody' included. But the vast majority were new to me, and yet again I was in awe of the consistent quality of these poems. It would be easy to imagine a collection with a title like 'The Wonder of Small Things' featuring its fair share of the trite and the twee, but almost all these poems achieve profundity and yet do so with a sincerity and deceptive simplicity which will appeal to the widest possible audience.

I bookmarked so many wonderful poems as I read that I will resist the temptation to quote from them all, but I do want to mention a few highlights to showcase the range and beauty of this selection. In James Crews' own poem 'Awe', he reflects that 'wonder and awe / are decisions we make daily, hourly, / minute by minute in the tiny offices / of the heart'. Reflecting on seeds in 'Essence', Kai Coggin asks 'did you know these tiny sprouts / these little leaves and baby greens / already hold the heavy flavours of their final selves?' I adored Alison Luterman's love poem 'Heavenly Bodies' in which she describes her and her partner's hands as 'two mis-/ matched puzzle pieces, / sanded down to fit.' In another love poem of sorts, 'Sunrise Sonnet for my Son', Joanne Durham celebrates the shared ritual of unloading the dishwasher each morning which unites them across four hundred miles, 'this man I raised, who hums as he sorts / the silverware, noticing how each spoon shines.' And Dorianne Laux's ode to 'My Mother's Colander' celebrates how such an ordinary item can become 'the baby's / helmet during the cold war, / a sinking ship in the bathtub, / little boat of holes.'

There are so many more gems I could mention, but this gives a flavour of many sources of wonder articulated within this volume. It is also an exquisitely arranged collection with poems juxtaposed for effect. There are enjoyable sequences of poems on topics as diverse as trees, swimming, grandparents, cancer and tomatoes, all of which become mutually enriching when read side by side. As with Crews' last two collections, the poems are also interspersed with occasion 'Reflective Pauses' offering meditations on certain poems and writing prompts. At the end of the volume, reading group discussion questions are included about other poems, as well as biographies of all the poets featured. I read this anthology in electronic form but I am assuming that it will also be a physically beautiful book to possess like its two predecessors.

This is a stunning anthology full of such riches, guaranteed to introduce all readers to many wonderful new poems. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

I am very thankful to the publisher, author James Crews and also NetGalley.co.uk for sending me an e-copy of this book for an honest review.

In "The Wonder of Small Things," James Crews takes readers on a journey through the natural world, exploring the beauty and complexity of the smallest creatures and details that often go unnoticed. Through a series of poems, Crews invites readers to slow down and pay attention to the wonders that surround us every day.

Crews' writing is beautifully crafted, with each poem offering a unique perspective on the natural world. He has a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the intricacies of nature, and his writing is both lyrical and accessible.

One of the things that sets "The Wonder of Small Things" apart is its focus on mindfulness and the importance of being present in the moment. Crews encourages readers to slow down and pay attention to the world around them, and his poetry serves as a reminder that even the smallest things can be a source of wonder and awe.

The book is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the natural world. The first section focuses on the wonders of the sky, from the majesty of the stars to the delicate beauty of clouds. The second section delves into the wonders of the earth, including the complexity of plants and the beauty of animals. The third and final section is dedicated to the wonders of the human heart, exploring the connections we have with each other and with the natural world.

Overall, "The Wonder of Small Things" is a beautiful and inspiring collection of poetry that celebrates the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Crews' writing is accessible and engaging, and his focus on mindfulness and presence is a welcome reminder in today's busy world. Highly recommended for anyone who loves nature and the power of words to capture its essence.

Firstly, as an educator, this collection has voices from all American communities. It is a mix of new voices and dear friends. Grouped by universal topics; seasons, oceans, stillness, memory, it is immensely useful. A student could simply flip through and find a poem to read, or as a teacher I could lead a discussion on a focus poem. I love love love the gentle invitations throughout that ask the reader to join the dialogue. And there are additional writing and thinking prompts at the back. I’m marking this early on the list of things I will order for my classes.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and editor James Crews for this advance reading copy. The Wonder of Small Things is a poetry anthology designed to help the reader recover the wonder and awe in everyday life. It reminds us of the perspective that we all have when young and which familiarity dulls, what Patrick Kavanagh described as 'the newness that was in every stale thing/when we looked at it as children'. There are poems on the beauty of a blade of grass, on mud, on the almost-over-ripe scent of a bag of garbage, as well as those on more familiar subjects of poetry such as trees, cranes or ducks.

This is such a lovely, restorative anthology. The poems have been really thoughtfully arranged, with ideas from one poem picked up in the next, so it's as if the poems were in conversation with each other. Interspersed amongst the poems are 'reflective pauses', which include writing prompts, allowing you to continue the ideas that the poems have prompted in your own work.

One notable feature of this collection is the poems' accessibility. Most are short, simple, conversational pieces in the first person. They're also on concrete, everyday topics. You certainly don't need to be familiar with classic poetic techniques to enjoy them, so it's perfect for those who want to start reading more poetry. I've also recommended it to a friend who teaches ESOL and literacy to adults. The final section of the book contains reading group questions and prompts for discussion, so it would be perfect for a book club or a creative writing class. I think many of the poems could also work well for those teaching teenagers or even younger children.

I really loved this collection. I think I bookmarked at least 40% of the poems for re-reading, and I will definitely be buying a copy for myself when it is released.

This is an anthology of poetry by numerous different authors from around the globe. Most focused on the beauty of existing, the natural world, and appreciation for all that is around us.

I did not dislike any of the contents, which can be an expected part of an anthology given its varied nature, but I did find beauty on every single page. None of these poems were known to me and I feel so honoured to have read from so many collated names, many of which I have jotted down to explore more from in the future.

It's difficult to summarize the writing of this book, because the great diversity of authors makes it impossible to pin down a single distinct style of prose. However, in one word, The Wonder of Small Things is delightful. The hopeful, tender poems within this collection have clearly been chosen with great care, and the reflections between poetry allow for a more interactive and engaging reader experience. To anyone needing more light in their life, this book is for you.

The Wonder of Small Things is a great anthology, which quiet, and approachable poems. I appreciated the thoughtful pauses/writing prompts between some poems.

What a lovely collection of joyful poems.! The variety of little things that bring folks joy is truly amazing; my favorite has to be An Ode to Butter. There is surely a poem for everyone in this collection and the reflection check points are refreshing for the reader. Thank you to Storey Publishing & Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of content.

As a high school English teacher, I’m always looking for poetry collections that are approachable but still beautiful, profound, and full of wonder. I’ve often found that students appreciate poems that allow them to see the beauty in the everyday and allow them to see the profundity in the most simple of things. So many of the poems in this collection satisfy this description, and I particularly appreciated the notes and ideas for additional thought and writing, prompts that would be a great point of entry for anyone interested in thinking deeply and life, meaning, and purpose—but also for use with students. This is an absolutely lovely collection that will give you much to ponder as you go about your day.

I have been dipping in and out of this book for weeks now. Each time I find a new uplifting or comforting marvel. This is definitely one of those book that you buy for friends and loved ones.

The Wonder of Small Things is a beautiful and soothing collection of poems. Between every few pages, small reflective pauses made me slow down and inspired me to write. I felt my mind quiet while reading this collection and noticed how I became more content and mindful throughout the day.

The poems covered themes of nature, animals, human connections, joy, food, stillness, gratitude and even grief, and were arranged in a way that flowed together nicely, some poems even complemented each other. Despite varied styles of poetry, the poems had an overarching calmness and softness to them.

Some of my favourite poems from this collection:

- Locust by Julia Alvarez (tells a story about happiness, the beauty of nature and art);
- Lately by Laure-Anne Bosselaar (the beauty of the minuscule moments in nature);
- What Did You Imagine Would Grow? by AE Hines (a poem full of empathy);
- Nothing Wants to Suffer by Danusha Lameris (another poem full of empathy, this one extends to objects);
- Ask Me by Sue Ann Gleason (a poem about cooking and love);
- Meditation by Emilie Lygren (adored the comparison in this one);
- Breathing Peace by Cristina M. R. Norcross (a poem about peace);
- After the Heartbreak by Tyler Mortensen-Hayes (heart-breaking and heard-mending).

There are many more that I took notes of, and I will definitely return to some of these poems again and again.

Thank you very much, NetGalley, for the chance to read this ARC!

This is an anthology of poetry by numerous different authors from around the globe. Most focused on the beauty of existing, the natural world, and appreciation for all that is around us. This is a wonderful book. It is a reminder that life is exciting.

This was a really sweet collection of poems that focus on finding joy and awe in the little things. From nature to mundane tasks, changing seasons to seasons in one's life, there was a poem that represented it. I found this to be a very charming collection. I also really appreciated the reflective pauses, and the invitations for writing were a nice touch. It all was very well organized and put together in a way that flowed nicely and I really enjoyed myself as I went along.

Poet and editor James Crews delights with an autumn offering, "The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace and Renewal "(Storey Publishing, 2023).

An anthology of poetry filled to the brim with lush lyrics that send tingles to your toes and tickles down your throat! A who’s who of contemporary poetry. And with writing chops like these? I expected The Wonder to up and fly away like a dandelion wish or spark a fire like so many banned books in unfortunate flame.

What poets? Ross Gay. Mary Oliver. Rita Dove. Nikkita Gill (who even writes the charming and thoughtful foreword). With a splash of Mark Nepo. Jane Hirschfield. Wendell Berry. And Joy Harjo. A dash of Ada Limon. A sprinkle of Maggie Smith. Perhaps several dozen more and a shake of James Crews, too? All speaking on the nature of wonder and awe in the everyday.

Don’t let me mislead you! This isn’t a serious tome (only). Meghan Dunn’s “Ode to Butter” may well provide bakers (and cookie lovers) everywhere a chance for folly and depth of understanding.

"The Wonder of Small Things" also includes several “Reflective Pauses” throughout the text where contemplative consideration is offered, as well as suggested writing opportunities.

For those looking for a bit of awe or “aww” in their days instead of “aaarrrgghh” "The Wonder" overflows with poems and prompts to provide a path to peaceful reflection.

Thank you to James Crews, Storey Publishing, and Netgalley for the eARC.

Book Review: The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace and Renewal by James Crews

The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace and Renewal, edited by James Crews, is a delightful anthology that invites readers to explore moments of wonder and peace in everyday life. With a deep love for the world permeating each poem, this collection sparks curiosity and encourages readers to embrace the beauty and mysteries of existence.

Crews has curated a diverse selection of poems from renowned authors, including Native American poets Joy Harjo, Linda Hogan, Kimberly Blaeser, and Joseph Bruchac, as well as BIPOC writers Ross Gay, Julia Alvarez, and Toi Derricotte. Additionally, the anthology features new works from popular writers such as Natalie Goldberg, Mark Nepo, Ted Kooser, Naomi Shihab Nye, Jane Hirshfield, and Jacqueline Suskin.

The book opens with a foreword by Nikita Gill, setting the tone for what lies ahead. As readers delve into the collection, they are guided through moments of reflection with pauses interspersed throughout the pages. These reflective pauses allow readers to fully immerse themselves in the meaning and essence of each poem. Furthermore, the inclusion of reading group questions at the end of the book enhances the reading experience, making it suitable for both individual contemplation and group discussion.

One of the standout features of The Wonder of Small Things is its accessibility. The poems are highly approachable, making them perfect for both seasoned poetry enthusiasts and those new to the genre. Crews has successfully compiled a collection that engages readers with its beauty and meaning, drawing them in regardless of their prior familiarity with poetry.

As a reader who had not delved deeply into poetry before, I found this anthology to be an excellent starting point. The carefully selected poems in The Wonder of Small Things touched me with their elegance and depth. Each piece captured the essence of life, nature, and appreciation, offering moments of solace and inspiration.

I particularly enjoyed the thought-provoking questions that followed each poem. These prompts encouraged me to pause and reflect on the themes presented, deepening my understanding and connection to the words on the page. Additionally, the writing prompts provided were an unexpected bonus, igniting my own creativity and allowing me to engage more deeply with the poetic form.

Furthermore, I must highlight the charming cover of this book, which immediately caught my attention. Its visual appeal perfectly complements the content within, creating an aesthetically pleasing reading experience.

In conclusion, The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace and Renewal is a gem of an anthology that invites readers on a journey of wonder and contemplation. With its accessible poems and thoughtful prompts for reflection, this book is suitable for both poetry aficionados and those new to the genre. James Crews has curated a collection that celebrates the beauty of life and nature while reminding us of the importance of appreciating the small things. For these reasons and more, I give The Wonder of Small Things a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Nikita Gill writes in the forward of The Wonder of Small Things that “Every poem in this collection is filled with such awe and reminds us of the duty of the poet: to collect that awe and write it down.”

James Crews has collected poetry that will remind readers to wonder at this world, to be alive to it, and allow its transforming power to change us.

Each section concludes with a Reflective Pause in which Crews considers a poem’s message, followed by Invitation for Writing and Reflection with a writing prompt inspired by the poem.

Themes of the Reflective Pauses include Let Wonder Guide You, A Time for Everything, Choosing Peace, The Place of Attention, The Awe of Aliveness, Nothing for Granted, The Gift of Stillness, Winks of Calm, and Worlds of Wonder.

The poems are not only presented thematically in groups, but are so perfectly curated as to flow one to the next. The effect was to draw me into the next poem. All the poems in a section work together to produce a deeper emotional connection.

There is a wonderful mix of poets, the well-known next to the emerging. You will find Wendell Berry’s beloved The Peace of Wild Things and Jo Harjo’s Redbird Love, Jane Kenyon’s In Several Colors and Rita Dove’s Horse and Tree. I discovered many poets I was unfamiliar with and plan to read more by them.

I found myself so moved at times, I was inspired to jot down my own lines.

I loved the poems about the commonplace, like “My Mother’s Colander” by Dorianne Laux describing the many ways the old tin colander was put to use, or Penny Harter’s “Just Grapefruit,” describing the preparation of a grapefruit to eat. We are reminded to take enjoyment in every part of life.

I highlighted so many lines.

What is the way to pay tribute to glory?
The aspen knows: applaud with every breeze.
Web by Marilyn McCabe

One of my favorite poets, Joseph Fasano, is included with his haunting poem “Letter” with its ending “change me, change me change me. All I want is to be more of what I am.”

I have been reading books on some very somber subjects. These poems lifted my spirits at the end of the day.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book.

So, to be clear, I'm in the middle of a reading slump and thinking of quitting blogging, but I never turn down the chance to read, review, and promote any anthology by James Crews.

(And it was possibly the thing to pull me out of the slump.)

I've read and adored The Path to Kindness and How to Love the World, and The Wonder of Small Things has become my favorite of the three. This collection focusing more on poems about nature is the first collection that has forced me to read and love nature poetry; I had just assumed in the past that it wasn't for me.

All three of James Crew's anthologies contain reflection exercises, and while those are interesting, my main aim has never been those when the man puts together a phenomenal anthology. Between William Sieghart and James Crews, I never run out of poems when I need them.

Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the chance to read and review this book!