Animals, poetry, and young authors—what else could you possibly need?! Birds, sea creatures, jungle inhabitants, and more await. Meet the mysterious mouse, chirping birds, a beautiful elk, a graceful cat, a howling wolf, and a few best friends.

— Simon Traub-Epstein, International Library of Young Authors

From the publisher: “The Beast is a collection of poems from young authors across the country ages 8-18 about beloved family pets, mythical beasts from storybooks, and local creatures resting outside our window—all relationships that offer the opportunity to reflect on the world we live in, and the world we wish to live in. The poems are all inspired by a writing prompt from Ada Limón, 24th Poet Laureate of the United States, in which she reminded students, ‘Paying attention to animals that are around us … is a good way to remember that we are animals too.’ With a foreword by Charlotte Yeung, 2023 National Youth Poet Laureate finalist, this publication invites young writers everywhere to notice the beasts around and within them.”