If There Would Be No Light: Poems From My Heart

by Sahara Sunday Spain

"I don't know where it comes from," says Sahara of her poetry, "but it feels like I swallow the words down from the sky and they come up again as poems, already complete and entire." This nine-year-old girl has been creating poems since the age of four. Before she even learned how to write, the young poet had figured out how to dictate her poems into the telephone answering machine so that they would not be lost. Sahara has traveled the world with her mother, a professional photographer, and her poems and illustrations reflect her experiences in Thailand, where she met with Buddhist monks and nuns and studied meditation and music; in India, where she met Mother Teresa; in Bali, where she observed healing ceremonies; and in Australia, where she was introduced to "The Dreaming" by aboriginal elders. Her poems have brought her international attention, drawing praise from influential writers and artists. Yet for all her accomplishments, this charming girl with a transcendent talent is as curious about the world and as filled with the joy of living and loving as any child can be. If There Would Be No Light represents an exciting new voice in American poetry and is destined to be an inspiration to children, parents, teachers, and poets.

Genres: Poetry

113 pages, Hardcover

First published January 11, 2001

Reviews

[River Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little girl with a big heart and big understanding of flow of words and how the world works

This was adorable and uplifting to read, even wise and insightful

Very quick to read and I think it’s worth it to see her work!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry and art by a little girl way beyond her years

[Dana Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a poetry book written by a girl at my old school. I knew the author, so I suppose I'm slightly biased, but it really is a nice collection. Way to go Sahara!

[Cicely · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming collection of poems by this young author.

[Sharleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to believe she was 9 )and younger when she wrote these - fantastic

[BookChampions · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost more like meditations than poems. The illustrations are lovely.