Call him the Tupac Shakur of children’s books. Or maybe that title should go to Margaret Wise Brown. In any case, it seems that every ten years or so we get a new Shel Silverstein book or collection of poems entirely out of the blue (I’m counting Falling Up, and Runny Babbit when I say that). At some point this will inevitably lead to an Elvis situation, wherein folks will start claiming that Silverstein never actually died and is currently holed up somewhere in Amherst, MA, biding his time, releasing his books on his own schedule. This is, of course, wishful thinking on my part since Silverstein is the author who was alive during my lifetime that I would have most liked to have met. Watch out, Steven Kellogg. You’re #2. In any case, here’s the scoop on the newest Silverstein. The man’s still got it / had it.
- Sometimes you want to unlearn something you have learned. Beware then, my readers. Once you read this you can never go through life not knowing about it.
- Now that is how it is done! Over the Atlantic the British blog Playing by the book has posted a quite remarkable little piece on an exhibit currently showing at the Imperial War Museum in Britain (where I once bought this poster). In the blog post How to explore war with children?, we are told that, “Once Upon a Wartime, an exhibition which opened earlier this month at London’s Imperial War Museum, takes five children’s novels about war and conflict and uses them as a starting point to explore what war can mean for children.” The five books in question include War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden, The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier, The Machine Gunners by Robert Westall and Little Soldier by Bernard Ashley. Of these I am ashamed to say I have only read Carrie’s War (which is brilliant). The post then goes on to talk about the exhibits and shows copious photographs. It’s enough to make you pine, once again, for England. Thanks to Sara Lewis Holmes for the link.
- I have this fantasy that someday I’ll conduct a video conversation with Travis Jonker where we converse entirely by holding up the titles of children’s books (after all, we know he’s ace with a video cam). I think of such things when he makes similar projects look easy. Take, for example, his latest book spine cento. It’s all in preparation to get you guys excited about making your own book spine poems for Poetry Month. I know I’m tempted. Spine it up!
and other School Poems for Two Voicesby Betsy Francoillustrated by Jessie HartCandlewick Press 2009I have this thing about poetry for children. Basically, it has to either be incredibly clever or exceptionally executed and preferably it is both. Kids who read poetry for fun do so because they still have a love of language, because they haven't had poetry units that have diluted their joy of
In place of Picture Book Saturday this week (which is not taking place do to the Read-a-thon I'm participating in), I thought I would do a Poetry Friday blowout. Since it is Poetry Month and all, I have collected some of the recent books I've read and enjoyed to share with you. Hopefully you'll find something enjoyable and useful out of all these choices!
A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout has been put together by Paul B. Janeczko and illustrated by Chris Raschka. It is definitely a fun and quirky choice, one that will get those not-so-interested poetry to enjoy it a bit more.
Filled with different "sections" such as limericks, poems for two voices, tongue twisters, and bilingual poems, there is no such thing as getting bored with this book! You can use it for a variety of activities in the classroom, including teaching students about the different types of poetry available.
The illustrations are very cool and at times, abstract, lending even more interest to A Foot in the Mouth.
A Foot in the Mouth
Paul B. Janeczko
64 pages
Poetry
Candlewick
9780763606633
March 2009
Next, A Curious Collection of Cats by Betsy Franco, with illustrations by Michael Wertz, is another quirky choice, giving us 34 different concrete poems. The art is just as important as the actual poetry in this one, intergrating the actual words right into the illustration.
My favorite is "q-tip and rosie," and if you see the page, you'll know why! A hint? A dog. Enough said. I also loved "that cat peed on my hat." Ahhh just the title is silly!
I really enjoyed staring at each set of illustrations, then reading the cleverly put together poems. This is a group of poetry that kids of all ages can appreciate and enjoy.
A Curious Collection of Cats
Betsy Franco
40 pages
Poetry
Tricycle Press
9781582462486
April 2009
Finally, the one I probably enjoyed most for the week, is Deborah Ruddell's A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems, illustrated by Joan Rankin. I think I just really love animals and outdoorsy books and the poems are just so sweet and cute. An adorable book overall, really.
We have skunks, beavers, snails, badgers, wild turkeys, toads, beetles, and so many other animals in this delightful book of poems. My favorite probably being "Toad's Lunch," with a "Nobody's Pet: A Word to the Wise from a Red Fox." Funny, giggle-worthy, and so darn cute!
The illustrations are truly superb, making for a must have for libraries. I love it and think kids are going to really love it to. I haven't read any other books by this author and illustrator, but between them there are several. Their other book of poems, Today at the Bluebird Cafe: A Branchful of Poems, has gotten fantastic reviews. You can bet I'll be checking them out!
A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems
Deborah Ruddell
40 pages
Poetry
McElderry Books
9781416942115
March 2009
To learn more about any of these or to purchase, click on the book covers above to link to Amazon.
This is the first complete image in a new children's picture book I'm working on with local author Patricia Gitersos. It's a very sweet story about a little brown cow who does odd and wonderful things. Focusing on a signature colour each page (this time the red boat) other colours will be a little more muted and soft. It's my first assignment in watercolour.
Call him the Tupac Shakur of children’s books. Or maybe that title should go to Margaret Wise Brown. In any case, it seems that every ten years or so we get a new Shel Silverstein book or collection of poems entirely out of the blue (I’m counting Falling Up, and Runny Babbit when I say that). At some point this will inevitably lead to an Elvis situation, wherein folks will start claiming that Silverstein never actually died and is currently holed up somewhere in Amherst, MA, biding his time, releasing his books on his own schedule. This is, of course, wishful thinking on my part since Silverstein is the author who was alive during my lifetime that I would have most liked to have met. Watch out, Steven Kellogg. You’re #2. In any case, here’s the scoop on the newest Silverstein. The man’s still got it / had it.
So glad you liked my posts about the Imperial War Museum! The last space in in the exhibit was a library of (mostly) children’s fiction about war and conflict – I’ve now been provided with the list of books included in that section of the exhibition and will be posting the list next week in Playing by the book.
Re: Ralph Lauren: reminds me of a certain book by John Newbery.
I adore the book Silver Sword/ Escape From Warsaw. Love, love, love it. Almost enough to fly to London just to see that part of the exhibit.
YES YES YES for the Nancy Eckholm Burkert illustrations for James and the Giant Peach. I don’t have my childhood edition anymore and I missed those pictures sorely when we got the book from the library and it turned out to have the Quentin ones. They just don’t have enough of the depth that lays just below the surface of this book.
Love your Silverstein/Tupac analogy. I look forward to the day when both return from the isolated islands they’ve been hiding out on since faking their own deaths. How else to explain their level of posthumous output? Also, thanks for the book spine poetry shout-out – it’ll be cool to see what folks come up with.
Thank you so much for the shout-out, Elizabeth! I’d be honored to be a part of your children’s lit salon anytime – New York is an easy 2 hour drive from Sag Harbor.
Warmly,
Emma Walton Hamilton
“Boys and girls can dress up and down, they can be sporty or elegant.” I won’t lie, I want to experience this R.L. Gang.
Fusenews andZoe thanks so much for the information on the Imperial Museum’s new Once Upon a Wartime exhibition. Sounds worth another trip to London to see friends. Loved Cacrrie’s War and the Silver Sword. Actually I did a blog review last week for an awesome picture book about War/peace called “The Enemy” by David Cali and Serge Bloch.
Please pursue your idea of a Children’s Literary Salon, and may I add support to your thoughts of inviting Emma Walton Hamilton. I came across Emma’s blog, Emmasaries, last year and have subsequently followed her online course on writing Picture books, Justwriteforkids and am a member of the ChildrensBookHub. The skills, information and encouragement I have received from all three resources have been phenomenal. Emma is not just an author but an individual gifted in, and motivated by, helping other writers reach their vision.
I now need to check out a Curious Collection of Cats.
Just read your comment about the good advice available to authors on Emma Walton Hamilton’s Blog. I just happen to be a member of the Hub, the very informative virtual literary salon Emma has created for both published and aspiring authors. Emma holds two teleseminars a month for members: one Q&A with Emma and the others are interviews with authors, agents, publishers and so on. For me, the Hub is laying a wonderful foundation for members. It is so nice to be part of a literary community where you can learn from an outstanding author, editor and educator, but at the same time develop a creatve and supportive bond with a group of writers. Hope others will check out the Children’s Book Hub.
Great post!
I’d like to alert you and your readers to a wonderful Canadian middle-grade trilogy about children evacuated to Canada during World War II — gives an excellent perspective on that aspect of the war and its effect on children: Look for “The Guests of War” trilogy by Kit Pearson. The individual titles are “The Sky is Falling”, “Looking at the Moon”, and “The Lights Go on Again”.
And I’m delighted to see your mention of Emma Walton Hamilton’s blog and Children’s Book Hub. I can highly recommend both — Emma has taught me so much as I progress in my writing career. She is a gem!
Thanks, Betsy, on behalf of BAMBOO PEOPLE!