Goldfinches, written by Mary Oliver and illustrated by Melissa Sweet: Book Beginnings on Fridays, First Line Friday, The Friday 56, and Book Blogger Hop

 

Today's Featured Book: 

Goldfinches

written by poet Mary Oliver

illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Genre: Poetry; picture book

Published: March 3, 2026

Page Count: 40 pages

Summary: 

Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet gorgeously illustrates the work of Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Mary Oliver for the first time in picture book form.

 

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY is hosted by Rose City Reader. What book are you happy about reading this week? Please share the opening sentence (or so) on BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAY! Add the link to your blog or social media post and visit other blogs to see what others are reading.

Happy Friday and welcome to the FIRST LINE FRIDAY, hosted by Reading is My Superpower! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line.

One more thing

I want to mention

before the pages

actually begin.

Writing poems,

for me but not

necessarily for

others, is a way

of offering

praise to the 

world.

        

Oliver, Mary. Goldfinches, page 1. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Anne of Head Full of Books. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up on Head Full of Books and visit others in the linky. 

And love the world.

Oliver, Mary. Goldfinches, 56%. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

Reason #1: I love birds.
Reason #2: I love poetry.
Reason #3: I love picture books.
Reason #4: I love poet Mary Oliver.
Reason #5: I love author/illustrator Melissa Sweet.

This is the book I wanted most to see at the Texas Library Association Conference this week.

I was first in line to get this book signed by the illustrator.

Guys, you need this book. Trust me on this. If you agree with me for even one of the reasons I gave (above) for reading this book, you need to find a copy and read it, too. I can't really tell you how wonderful it is.

The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.    

3rd - Which book really showcases your favorite author’s style, and what makes it stand out? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee-Addicted Writer)

Some Writer! The Story of E. B. White with text and illustrations by Melissa Sweet

You really won't believe me about how amazing this book is unless you find a copy and read it and look at the incredible illustrations for yourself. It is stunning. It's completely original. It is a book you want to read over and over.