Hello, I’m Here! poem by Helen Frost, photographs by Rick Lieder

Image of Ann Schwab. 

Courtesy of Ann Schwab. 

Ann Schwab is a Senior Librarian with Denver Public Library where she manages the Central Children’s Library. She currently leads the library’s Grade Level Reading project team and is excited to explore new ways to support children in K – 3rd grade (and the adults in their lives!) as they learn to read. 



“The committee shall consider all forms of writing-- 
fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.” 
Will a book of verse have a chance of winning 
precious gold in 2020? 

Hello, I'm Here! by Helen Frost, photographs by Rick Lieder book cover

Yes, this could indeed be the year poetry breaks through the Geisel glass ceiling! Poet Helen Frost and photographer Rick Lieder are back with their fifth celebration of the natural world, Hello, I’m Here! This latest offering immerses the reader in the marshy habitat and life of a newly hatched sandhill crane. 

Photograph of an adult and newly hatched sandhill crane from Hello, I'm Here! by Helen Frost, photographs by Rick Lieder

The action kicks off as the young chick hatches and learns to stand and walk. The chick soon explores its surroundings with its brother. Together they flap wings and venture towards the water, but are warned of the threat of snapping turtles by a protective parent. After a meal of bug and snail, the adventure winds down as the tiny protagonist returns home: “We’ve been busy-- / Time for a rest! / Mama’s strong wings / make a soft, warm nest.” 

Photographs of two baby sandhill cranes being protected by their parent from Hello, I'm Here! by Helen Frost, photographs by Rick Lieder

Frost’s quatrains, one on each page spread, are composed of mostly one or two syllable words. The rhyming verses, combined with the large, sans serif font and ample leading support the beginning reader experience. Lieder’s crisp, large photographs clearly “demonstrate the story being told” and serve as a motivator to keep readers engaged with the plot and turning pages. 

There are a few aspects of the book that may challenge a new reader. There is very little repetition and new words are introduced on almost every spread. There are also a few pages where the black text is set on a dark green background making it a bit difficult to read. 

Overall, Hello, I’m Here is a strong contender. The pairing of Frost’s narrative verse with Lieder’s intimate photographs distinguishes it from other titles giving poetry a chance for Geisel gold.