Review: Stopping By Jungle on a Snowy Evening by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch

Estimated read time: 1 minute, 15 seconds

Stopping By Jungle on a Snowy Evening
by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch

Richard T. Morris offers a whimsical, energetic twist on Robert Frost’s iconic poem by pairing the famous poet with an imaginative child riding through the woods on a hippopotamus. The result is a playful juxtaposition—old meets new, quiet contemplation meets joyful chaos. For young readers who love poetic rhythm, fantasy, and humor, this is a lively introduction to Frost and to the idea that creativity comes from both discipline and distraction.

The book’s conceit is clever: Frost is trying to write his now-legendary poem, but each time he settles into the woods, the child and his hippo interrupt him with an escalating parade of imaginative detours—snow, rain, aliens, cookie dough, and more. The poet keeps attempting to construct a line; the child keeps joyfully derailing him. It becomes a gentle tug-of-war between order and play, tradition and spontaneity. Kids will enjoy the silliness; adults will recognize the affectionate nod to the creative process.

For budding poets, this book offers a fun bridge between classic verse and the boundless imagination of childhood. For readers who are less drawn to poetry—myself included—the narrative can feel more like a light-hearted concept piece than a fully immersive story. Still, it’s a pleasant, age-appropriate way to spark curiosity about verse.

Julie Rowan-Zoch’s illustrations are bright, friendly, and accessible, though somewhat basic in style. They support the humor and movement of the story but don’t add significant visual depth. Young readers, however, will enjoy the animated expressions and the cheerful chaos as Frost tries—and repeatedly fails—to finish his poem.

Stopping By Jungle on a Snowy Evening succeeds on its intended terms: a fun, imaginative picture book that introduces children to poetry through contrast, comedy, and a bit of literary magic. Ideal for kids ages 4–8 who enjoy playful storytelling or who are just beginning to explore the world of poems.

Rating: 4 Stars 

Charles Francis, 12/12/25