I was visiting our local library this week perusing some of the new titles, when I discovered this:

This was a nice surprise, not only because we’re friends and the fact that Joyce contributed to my poetry anthology A Universe of Rainbows (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2025) with her poem “Along the Zambezi” (about moonbows). These books also reeived the same recognition as 2026 NCTE Notable Poetry Books at the National Council of Teachers of English convention this past November!
Moreover, Joyce’s Dear Acorn includes a poem about – guess what? – RAINBOWS!
In her book, Joyce poetically personifies the natural world with messages and “letters” from such subjects as an oak tree, rain droplets, and even the sky itself! I hope you get a chance to read it, because you’ll be a happier person once you do.
Of course, I need to share her ‘other’ poem, from Rainbows:
Thank you, Joyce, for gifting the world with your words – and for gifting my book with your poem! And congratulations on the NCTE Notable recognition, as well. I’m so honored to see my book next to yours, literally and figuratively.

It may be Friday the 13th, but Linda Baie at Teacher Dance isnt worried at all – she’s hosting the Poetry Friday roundup with a short, touching poem about the rain, lost loved ones, and angels.
(If we’ve not yet connected on Instagram, please find me! I’d love to keep in touch. From new releases to blog posts to poetry and more, Instagram is a great way to learn more about your interests, and to connect with the folks who interest you.)
~~ My schedule of school visits for the 2026 Spring Semester is filling up! ~~
I love chatting with students about creativity, poetry, the writing process, dinsoaurs, and lots of other things! So if you think you might be interested in having me visit your school – either in-person or virtually – check out all the presentations I offer below, then email me at Matt (at) MattForrest (dot) com!












I love chatting with elementary and middle school classes about writing: why poetry is fun to read and write, the importance of revision, and how imagination and creativity can lead to fantastic careers! My presentations are tailored to fit the needs of the classes and students’ ages. One day I might be sharing details of how a picture book like Flashlight Night (Astra Young Readers, 2017) was created; the next, I’ll be showing students rainbow-colored bacteria, discussing dinosaur breath, or crafting origami sea turtles!
Student presentations include:
- The Making of a Picture Book
- How a Child Saved a Book
- “Once Upon Another Time”
- The Most Important Thing about Writing Poetry
- “I Am Today”
- “A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human”
- “Everybody Counts: Counting to 10 in Twelve Languages”
- “A Universe of Rainbows!”
- The Making of a Picture Book
- The Most Important Thing about Writing Poetry
- Free Yourself with Free Verse
- Tight Language, Loose Narratives: Crafting a Non-Traditional Picture Book
- The Journey of a Children’s Author
Learn more at MattForrest.com!
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from my local independent bookstore!































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I’m also on BOOKSHOP:
And I’m very happy to be part of the BOOKROO family, too!

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Ordering personalized signed copies online? Oh, yes, you can!
You can purchase personally-signed copies of Flashlight Night, (Astra Young Readers, 2017), Don’t Ask a Dinosaur (Pow! Kids Books, 2018), and nearly EVERY book or anthology I’ve been part of!
Click here to view all my books and to order!
Just click the cover of whichever book you want and send a comment to the good folks at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner, NH requesting my signature and to whom I should make it out. (alternatively, you can log onto my website and do the same thing) They’ll contact me, I’ll stop by and sign it, and then they’ll ship it! (Plus, you’ll be supporting your local bookseller – and won’t that make you feel good?)
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