Wild Inside: Finding Joy with Mary Oliver

by Barbara Kerley, Molly Mendoza (Illustrator)

This inspiring tribute to beloved, Pulitzer-prize-winning poet, Mary Oliver, invites readers of all ages to wander, wonder, and awaken the wild inside them. Perfect for fans of Patrick McDonnell’s Me...Jane and anyone who loves language and nature.From the time she was a young child, Mary Oliver felt most at home outside. She loved to wander the woods, build tiny grass and stick houses, and climb in, feeling part of all the beauty around her. When she discovered poetry, it gave her language to voice the wild she felt inside. “What does it mean . . . that the earth is so beautiful? And what shall I do about it?” Could she write poems illuminating the wonder of the world?This gentle, soul-stirring story, with sweeping, sensorial illustrations, invites readers of all ages to pause the busyness and overstimulation of daily life and immerse in beauty and quiet. Anyone familiar with Mary Oliver will love this impressionistic portrait that lovingly evokes her essence. Children encountering her for the first time will meet a friend. Nature lovers will find a kindred spirit. The perfect gift to nurture the wild inside all of us.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 2, 2027

About the author

Barbara Kerley was born in Washington, D.C. and has lived in many places, including Nepal and the tropical island of Guam. She has written about almost everything: 19th C iguanodons, Teddy Roosevelt, world peace, Mark Twain's donkey, and the pleasure of following your curiosity.