The silky cream cover of Apologetic for Joy features a whimsical snail that draws readers to open its pages and discover a trail of joyful moments. Hiemstra-van der Horst’s poetry describes joys she has seen and heard and tasted and touched. Color and music, beloved artists and beloved grandparents, homes here and homes far off. “I don’t need to be seen, I want to be heard” Hiemstra-van der Horst writes. This slim volume invites the reader to hear and see through verse enriched with the poet’s illustrations. It’s a delight to dip into this young writer’s words. (Goose Lane Editions)