Friday, April 3, 2026

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 ReaderWhat 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. 



 

18 comments:

  1. Your books this week look lovely. I realize I read almost never on paper, only e-books, and so I misss the beauty of illustrations and paper quality and all. The E.B.White book looks especialy wonderful
    Have a good weekend!

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  2. Ooh nice one! That's a new to me one but sounds like a fun little read!


    Here's my StS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  3. I think I do need this book. I am unfamiliar with Melissa Sweet, but Mary Oliver represents poetic perfection to me. It would have been a great pleasure to be with you at the book signing. Whenever possible I get my books signed. It adds something special, and significant if one has met the author in circumstances other than a public book signing, although I am not dismissing that at all. I have been to many of them.

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  4. What a treasure this book is. Hmm... Perhaps the only thing better than a Mary Oliver book would be one that is also beautifully illustrated. I'll look for this one.

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  5. I have mad love for Mary Oliver, and the illustrations by Melissa Sweet are glorious.

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  6. I am just starting Mary Oliver's Little Alleluias, so I was delighted to see another Oliver fan here on Friday56. Now I must start my hunt for this book you are highlighting. I adored Some Writer! It really brought EB White alive in my imagination. How did you hear about Goldfinches?

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    Replies
    1. I saw Melissa Sweet was coming to the library conference and I was thrilled to see this new book.

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  7. Both these books look excellent. I will have to investigate further!
    Have a great weekend!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
    My post:
    https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2026/04/03/book-blogger-hop-which-book-really-showcases-your-favourite-authors-style-and-what-makes-it-stand-out/

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  8. For all these reasons, I will see if it’s at the library.

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  9. I'm glad you were able to get the blook you wanted.

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  10. I absolutely love the beautiful cover on the Goldfinch book, dear Deb! This is also a book that I would be very interested in! Thank you so much for sharing, dear friend.

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  11. I just read about this book yesterday. It looks like such a lovely book and I'm glad you got a signed copy. I'll be on the lookout for it when we are traveling in May. I love to buy books at indie bookstores while on the road.

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  12. Oh my goodness! That’s such a funny story about Wyatt! At the end of the school year My students would read about the two versions of La Llorona, The traditional one as well as a revised one. Then they would write about which one they believed was true. Next, we would add El Cucuy to the mix. Then they would write a story about the two characters meeting each other. Their stories were hilarious! I love third grade writing!
    I bet you had a wonderful Time in Central Texas! I will have to purchase Leyendas/Legends! Thank you for sharing!

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  13. What a lovely post! Your reasons for loving the book, dahling, were spot-on!

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  14. Lovely post, Debbie. The reasons for wanting us all to read GOLDFINCHES was spot-on, dahling!

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  15. It sounds like an absolutely beautiful book, Deb. I've wanted to read Some Writer for awhile now. Thanks for the reminder.

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  16. What a beautiful cover! This looks like such a wonderful book! Thanks for sharing! :D

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I love to hear your thoughts.