by Myra Cohn Livingston
When it was time
for Show and Tell,
Adam brought a big pink shell.
He told about
the ocean roar
and walking on the sandy shore.
And then he passed
the shell around.
We listened to the water sound.
And that's the first time
I could hear
the wild waves calling to my ear.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
OUT IN THE DARK AND DAYLIGHT (Monday Poem)
by Aileen Fisher
Out in the dark and daylight,
under a cloud or tree,
Out in the dark and daylight,
out where the wind blows free,
Out in the March or May light,
with shadows and stars to see,
Out in the dark and daylight . . .
that’s where I like to be.
Monday, May 3, 2010
WHAT TO DO WITH A POPSICLE (Monday Poem)
by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Lick
and
lick
and
lick
and
lick
until
nothing
is
left
but
the
P
o
p
s
i
c
l
e
s
t
i
c
k
Lick
and
lick
and
lick
and
lick
until
nothing
is
left
but
the
P
o
p
s
i
c
l
e
s
t
i
c
k
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Perfect Poetry (FAMILY magazine reviews)
The month of April often produces a shower of poetry to refresh the winter darkness, bringing a breezy lightheartedness to sweep away the cold doldrums. Hunt up a favorite collection to tickle your memory and add a new title to savor from the list below.
Waiting Out the Storm
In a lovely blend of single and double page illustrations, artist Gaber has seamlessly drawn the lyrical text through the paintings. Macken’s lilting language invokes the mysterious nature of the world in a conversation between mother and daughter, as a spring storm approaches.
“Mama? Yes, buttercup? What’s that I hear? It’s only the wind in the treetops my dear.” Although the fluid rhythm and rhyme of the story introduce a common situation, the child voices uneasiness with stormy elements, as Gaber’s bright and dark acrylic colors amplify vigorous word images through wind, thunder, lightening and into rain. Yet, the comfort of resonant sounds and spirited word choices combine with vivid images, to present a reassuring sense of safety as a contrast to the storm’s energy.
Turtles and ducks, chipmunks and chickadees, and even a bunny toy serve to emphasize the varied experiences of a storm. The words and their melody of sound accent today’s “wet, windy weather,” and the counterpoint comforts of “snuggling together,” with the promise of tomorrow’s sunshine and play in the pond. With its nimble language and deft artwork, this skillfully crafted story is a gem to share.
Poetrees
Artist and poet Florian clearly is in love with both trees and language as this striking book demonstrates. Known for Insectlopedia and Mammalabilia, among many of his books of poems accompanied by imaginative illustrations, Florian’s lifelong fascination with trees is revealed in this newest addition to his successful children’s publications.
Showcasing his singular poetic style with its mix of rhythm, rhyme and wordplay, Florian introduces readers to thirteen trees from around the world, interspersed with poems about roots, rings, leaves, bark, and seeds. Beginning the book is a seed poem in the shape of a figure eight, the symbol for eternity. Later, another poem – this time in the round -- displays both the nature and shape of tree rings.
Designed to be read, and held vertically, the oversized book allows for a visual representation of the trees’ height and breadth in its double page spreads.
Florian’s decision to use watercolors, colored pencils, rubber stamps, oil pastels and collage on primed paper bags expresses his commitment to recycling, conserving and preserving trees and other aspects of the earth’s resources. In an intriguing synthesis of elemental and multifaceted forms, Florian has succeeded in fashioning poetry to merge with his earth-friendly artwork.
Concluding with a “Glossatree,” which also includes brief information about each tree, a bibliography, and an author’s note, this unique and timely book is an inventive collection of poetry to examine and enjoy.
Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
In a fascinating blend of poetry and familiar fairy tales, award-winning author Singer has constructed a new genre of poem, reverso, that reads the same backward and forward. “When you read a reverso down, it is one poem,” she explains. “When you read it up,” with the only changes being for punctuation, capitalization, and line breaks, it’s a very different poem.
Choosing to represent two perspectives from each of a dozen different but well-known fairytales, Singer romps with language, poetry, and storytelling to craft this clever and magical selection of short, reversible puzzles. In the Hood begins its wordplay with Little Red speaking, while the facing poem features Wolf’s voice. Playing on the mirror image of Snow White with her stepmother, this animated collection -- which includes the Ugly Duckling, Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, Rumplestiltskin, and Rapunzel -- tempts readers to travel new territory by spinning new versions from common and recognizable tales into unconventional retellings.
Name That Dog! Puppy Poems from A to Z
Here’s a perfect opportunity to meet dogs of all shapes, sizes, types and personalities in an amusing assortment of poems reminiscent of T. S. Eliot’s Old ‘Possums Book of Practical Cats. Often brief like “Snickers” (My dog’s a creamy caramel/With chocolate ears and whiskers./She’s just a little nutty, too./That’s why I call her Snickers.), this delightful alphabetical treasure trove of dog poetry includes a Boston Terrier named Bandit, Daisy the Dalmatian, a Cocker Spaniel called Elvis, a Dachshund who answers, of course, to Frank, even a Poodle identified as Noodles, and a Chihuahua who’s unexpected label, Valentine, contributes a bright accent to a humorous arrangement of charming canines, in bright, colorful illustrations by cartoonist Buscema, to accompany New York Times best selling author Archer’s bouncy rhymes.
New puppy in the house? Looking for a name? Get inspired by this cheery collection.
The month of April often produces a shower of poetry to refresh the winter darkness, bringing a breezy lightheartedness to sweep away the cold doldrums. Hunt up a favorite collection to tickle your memory and add a new title to savor from the list below.
Waiting Out the Storm
by JoAnn Early Macken,
illustrated by Susan Gaber.
Candlewick Press, $15.99, Ages 3-7
In a lovely blend of single and double page illustrations, artist Gaber has seamlessly drawn the lyrical text through the paintings. Macken’s lilting language invokes the mysterious nature of the world in a conversation between mother and daughter, as a spring storm approaches.
“Mama? Yes, buttercup? What’s that I hear? It’s only the wind in the treetops my dear.” Although the fluid rhythm and rhyme of the story introduce a common situation, the child voices uneasiness with stormy elements, as Gaber’s bright and dark acrylic colors amplify vigorous word images through wind, thunder, lightening and into rain. Yet, the comfort of resonant sounds and spirited word choices combine with vivid images, to present a reassuring sense of safety as a contrast to the storm’s energy.
Turtles and ducks, chipmunks and chickadees, and even a bunny toy serve to emphasize the varied experiences of a storm. The words and their melody of sound accent today’s “wet, windy weather,” and the counterpoint comforts of “snuggling together,” with the promise of tomorrow’s sunshine and play in the pond. With its nimble language and deft artwork, this skillfully crafted story is a gem to share.
Poetrees
by Douglas Florian.
Simon & Schuster, $16.99, Ages 6-12
Artist and poet Florian clearly is in love with both trees and language as this striking book demonstrates. Known for Insectlopedia and Mammalabilia, among many of his books of poems accompanied by imaginative illustrations, Florian’s lifelong fascination with trees is revealed in this newest addition to his successful children’s publications.
Showcasing his singular poetic style with its mix of rhythm, rhyme and wordplay, Florian introduces readers to thirteen trees from around the world, interspersed with poems about roots, rings, leaves, bark, and seeds. Beginning the book is a seed poem in the shape of a figure eight, the symbol for eternity. Later, another poem – this time in the round -- displays both the nature and shape of tree rings.
Designed to be read, and held vertically, the oversized book allows for a visual representation of the trees’ height and breadth in its double page spreads.
Florian’s decision to use watercolors, colored pencils, rubber stamps, oil pastels and collage on primed paper bags expresses his commitment to recycling, conserving and preserving trees and other aspects of the earth’s resources. In an intriguing synthesis of elemental and multifaceted forms, Florian has succeeded in fashioning poetry to merge with his earth-friendly artwork.
Concluding with a “Glossatree,” which also includes brief information about each tree, a bibliography, and an author’s note, this unique and timely book is an inventive collection of poetry to examine and enjoy.
Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
by Marilyn Singer
illustrated by Josée Masse
Dutton, $16.99, Ages 7-11
In a fascinating blend of poetry and familiar fairy tales, award-winning author Singer has constructed a new genre of poem, reverso, that reads the same backward and forward. “When you read a reverso down, it is one poem,” she explains. “When you read it up,” with the only changes being for punctuation, capitalization, and line breaks, it’s a very different poem.
Choosing to represent two perspectives from each of a dozen different but well-known fairytales, Singer romps with language, poetry, and storytelling to craft this clever and magical selection of short, reversible puzzles. In the Hood begins its wordplay with Little Red speaking, while the facing poem features Wolf’s voice. Playing on the mirror image of Snow White with her stepmother, this animated collection -- which includes the Ugly Duckling, Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, Rumplestiltskin, and Rapunzel -- tempts readers to travel new territory by spinning new versions from common and recognizable tales into unconventional retellings.
Name That Dog! Puppy Poems from A to Z
by Peggy Archer
illustrated by Stephanie Buscema
Dial, $16.99, Ages 3-5
Here’s a perfect opportunity to meet dogs of all shapes, sizes, types and personalities in an amusing assortment of poems reminiscent of T. S. Eliot’s Old ‘Possums Book of Practical Cats. Often brief like “Snickers” (My dog’s a creamy caramel/With chocolate ears and whiskers./She’s just a little nutty, too./That’s why I call her Snickers.), this delightful alphabetical treasure trove of dog poetry includes a Boston Terrier named Bandit, Daisy the Dalmatian, a Cocker Spaniel called Elvis, a Dachshund who answers, of course, to Frank, even a Poodle identified as Noodles, and a Chihuahua who’s unexpected label, Valentine, contributes a bright accent to a humorous arrangement of charming canines, in bright, colorful illustrations by cartoonist Buscema, to accompany New York Times best selling author Archer’s bouncy rhymes.
New puppy in the house? Looking for a name? Get inspired by this cheery collection.
REVIEW PUBLISHED IN APRIL 2010 ISSUE OF FAMILY MAGAZINE.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Women Make History
Among the newest biographies being published are amazing stories of women who lived their lives in ways that changed the world. Sometimes the changes alter the way the entire world acts, in other cases, the changes are profound for a few people nearby or occasionally, just one person's life shifts, but it can become a transformation that signals a larger reshaping of a community, a discipline or a culture. Imagine the change you can be!
Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Simon & Schuster, $15.99, Ages 4-8.
Now famous as the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Kenyan Wangari Maathai is also the first African woman to win this award. The founder of the Green Belt Movement to reclaim the damaged land by planting trees to curb erosion, among many other things, Wangari, currently known as Mama Miti – Mother of Trees – grew up in the shadow of Mount Kenya, hearing stories of how the people held ceremonies for peace under sacred trees. As an adult, city dweller, she plants trees to refresh her spirit and remember her family’s roots.
Award-winning author Napoli shares Wangari’s story in a folklore style, showing women and children coming to ask for help, and Wangari offering assistance in the form of giving the women trees to plant, for food, for firewood, for shelter, for medicine, etc. Using the Kikuyu names for the trees and a repeated refrain, Thayu nyumba (translated as “peace, my people”) Napoli’s lyrical text is accompanied by celebrated artist Nelson’s oil paints combined with textiles in vibrant collage illustrations honoring the spirit of the country, people and an amazing woman of many firsts.
This vigorous book with its dynamic faces, strong bodies, energetic colors, and spirited story, introduces a good woman who demonstrates “something we can all do, ‘Plant a tree.’” An Afterword, Glossary and notes from both author and illustrator are included.
The Daring Miss Quimby by Suzanne George Whitaker, illustrated by Catherine Stock. Holiday House, $16.95, Ages 7-9.
Pioneer pilot, Harriet Quimby was first a journalist who often followed her magazine stories into daring exploits. This led her to flying lessons, when planes looked like bicycles with wings. Flying was dangerous in the early years of the twentieth century, but ultimately Harriet’s practice helped her succeed in becoming the first woman in the US “to earn a pilot’s license.”
Loving the wild clamor of attention, Harriet designed a purple satin flight suit, which “made her stand out” even more. When she decided she was ready to fly alone across the cold and foggy English Channel with only a compass, she wore the famous purple hooded suit. She was still wearing it when she landed later that morning on a French beach near a fishing village, once again making history for women. Shortly after, she began performing in air shows all over the US until her untimely death.
In this, her first picture book, author Whitaker shares her curiosity and love of flying with readers, writing with deep affection for her subject, adding to the spirit of adventure surrounding Quimby’s life. Well-known illustrator Stock’s pencil and watercolor paintings deliver a sense of Harriet’s vitality and eager audacity in the movement generated by cars, planes, crowds, and even birds as one reads this page-turner biography. A Timeline of Women in Aviation, Suggested Websites, a Selected Bibliography, and an Author’s Note are helpful additions.
Pioneer pilot, Harriet Quimby was first a journalist who often followed her magazine stories into daring exploits. This led her to flying lessons, when planes looked like bicycles with wings. Flying was dangerous in the early years of the twentieth century, but ultimately Harriet’s practice helped her succeed in becoming the first woman in the US “to earn a pilot’s license.”
Loving the wild clamor of attention, Harriet designed a purple satin flight suit, which “made her stand out” even more. When she decided she was ready to fly alone across the cold and foggy English Channel with only a compass, she wore the famous purple hooded suit. She was still wearing it when she landed later that morning on a French beach near a fishing village, once again making history for women. Shortly after, she began performing in air shows all over the US until her untimely death.
In this, her first picture book, author Whitaker shares her curiosity and love of flying with readers, writing with deep affection for her subject, adding to the spirit of adventure surrounding Quimby’s life. Well-known illustrator Stock’s pencil and watercolor paintings deliver a sense of Harriet’s vitality and eager audacity in the movement generated by cars, planes, crowds, and even birds as one reads this page-turner biography. A Timeline of Women in Aviation, Suggested Websites, a Selected Bibliography, and an Author’s Note are helpful additions.
Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott by Yona Zeldis McDonough, illustrated by Bethanne Andersen. Henry Holt, $17.99, Ages 8-12.
A fascinating but simple biography of well-known author, Louisa May Alcott, McDonough’s book is easy to read, and includes elements of Alcott’s life to tempt young readers. When young Louisa falls into a “frog pond, a kind black boy” jumps in and pulls her out, running away before she can thank him. Louisa always remembers him and believes it contributes to her becoming “an Abolitionist at a very early age.”
From an unconventional family who at one time lived on an experimental vegetarian farm, Louisa learns to keep a journal and later moves easily and naturally into teaching and writing. Illustrator Andersen uses exuberant gouache and pastels to show Louisa’s development, and to contrast dark and light with the losses Louisa experiences. With intense bright colors, Andersen also demonstrates singularities characteristic of Louisa’s personality.
Life in the mid-1800’s is difficult and the family is never wealthy until after the publication and success of her most famous novel, Little Women, in 1868. In her smoothly flowing text, author McDonough introduces readers to Louisa’s kindness, evident throughout the book, as Louisa cares for family members who are ill, goes to Washington, DC as a nurse for Civil War soldiers and spends time helping in hospitals, orphanages, and asylums. Later Louisa becomes the guardian for her niece, Lulu, when Lulu’s mother May, Louisa’s sister dies, shortly after Lulu’s birth.
Louisa was a traveler, with an intrepid spirit, whose relatively short life (she died at age 55) offers readers insight into her success as a writer. Quotes, poems, interesting facts about her writing and her family, important dates, a bibliography and especially a recipe for New England Apple Slump, one of her favorite desserts, are included at the end and add to the interest and appeal of this fresh and delightful picture book biography.
A fascinating but simple biography of well-known author, Louisa May Alcott, McDonough’s book is easy to read, and includes elements of Alcott’s life to tempt young readers. When young Louisa falls into a “frog pond, a kind black boy” jumps in and pulls her out, running away before she can thank him. Louisa always remembers him and believes it contributes to her becoming “an Abolitionist at a very early age.”
From an unconventional family who at one time lived on an experimental vegetarian farm, Louisa learns to keep a journal and later moves easily and naturally into teaching and writing. Illustrator Andersen uses exuberant gouache and pastels to show Louisa’s development, and to contrast dark and light with the losses Louisa experiences. With intense bright colors, Andersen also demonstrates singularities characteristic of Louisa’s personality.
Life in the mid-1800’s is difficult and the family is never wealthy until after the publication and success of her most famous novel, Little Women, in 1868. In her smoothly flowing text, author McDonough introduces readers to Louisa’s kindness, evident throughout the book, as Louisa cares for family members who are ill, goes to Washington, DC as a nurse for Civil War soldiers and spends time helping in hospitals, orphanages, and asylums. Later Louisa becomes the guardian for her niece, Lulu, when Lulu’s mother May, Louisa’s sister dies, shortly after Lulu’s birth.
Louisa was a traveler, with an intrepid spirit, whose relatively short life (she died at age 55) offers readers insight into her success as a writer. Quotes, poems, interesting facts about her writing and her family, important dates, a bibliography and especially a recipe for New England Apple Slump, one of her favorite desserts, are included at the end and add to the interest and appeal of this fresh and delightful picture book biography.
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