A collection of thirty poems that all start with the word "If" and previously published separately between 1951 and 2025

Everyday magic -- The power of you -- Kinfolk and companions -- Anything is possible

Imagine what you could do with if. Build a tree house, ride your bike back in time, catch a firefly like a tiny star in the palm of your hands and let it go to make a wish-- anything, when it starts with if. Because if is where your imagination begins, where the impossible becomes possible, if only you imagine. And if you do, just think of how much better our world could be. Thirty-one poets, selected by "poetic forever friends" and frequent collaborators Irene Latham and Charles Waters, begin each of their poems with the word if and imagine the possibilities the gift of if can hold. Olivia Sua's cut-paper and painted-mosaic illustrations add warmth and meaning to the poems, allowing the reader's mind to soar with possibility. In an end note, the anthologists offer insight into their selection process, aimed at gathering a comprehensive and representative collection of poems

Ages 6-9

Everyday magic.

If you have a pencil / Eric Ode -- If ever you build a tree house / Rebecca Kai Dotlich-- Finch, robin, jay / Amy Ludwig VanDerwater-- If you catch a firefly / Lillian Moore -- The rock / Sarah Grace Tuttle -- If a bad dream comes / Siv Cedering -- Opening windows / Teresa Owens Smith --

The power of you.

What kind of word is if? / Georgia Heard -- If I imagine sunlight made me / Lacresha Berry-- Time / Rebekah Lowell -- If I can stop one heart from breaking / Emily Dickinson -- If this wind persists / Sydell Rosenberg -- If a snowstorm comes to town / Janice Scully -- If I were a bookworm / Guadalupe Garci McCall --

Kinfolk and companions.

If, then / Jolene Gutierrez -- If we were rich / Janet Wong -- Puddle / Bob Raczka -- Scattered / Nancy Tupper Ling -- Blue bike / Gabi Snyder -- If I could choose a best day / Lisa Rogers -- No In-between/ Anna Grossnickle Hines -- If we listen / Joseph Bruchac --

Anything is possible.

Journey / Nikki Grimes -- If you catch a magic fish / Sylvia Liu-- A world without hate / Vikram Madan-- Nobody remembers/ Laura Purdie Salas-- A glimmer of peace / Robyn Hood Black -- One stitch / Renee M. LaTulippe -- The gift of if / JaNay Brown-Wood