About the Author

Steven Joel is the author of Poets and Baby Kangaroos, a full-color illustrated book that brings playful rhyme together with a thoughtful message about curiosity, kindness, friendship, and seeing the world a little differently.

Much of the writing began in Boone, North Carolina, and the book was completed in Carolina Beach—a creative journey from the mountains to the sea. Those North Carolina roots are part of the book’s story, while its message reaches beyond any one place or culture.

With colorful, hand-drawn illustrations by Phil Cheney, Poets and Baby Kangaroos invites readers of all ages to notice beauty, learn from others, share what they know, and resist the urge to judge too quickly.

The book’s simple language, rhyme, and visual storytelling also offer an approachable way for developing readers and people learning English to connect words with pictures and meaning.