Book Review of Clara's Kooky Compendium of Thimblethoughts and Wonderfuzz

It's holiday time and most people are out shopping for just-right presents. Gift-giving is always a special way of celebrating with family, friends, and those in need. Children become excited at this time of year. My 7-year-old granddaughter, Sierra, recently asked "When will we open our presents from you?" One of her gifts was already given. Of course, it was a book! She enjoys reading and helping me decide if a book is one other children will love. Let's see what intrigues her this month.

Clara's Kooky Compendium of ThimbleThoughts and Wonderfuzz is an amazing, kooky, wonder-filled new book that has become Sylvia Vardell's and Janet Wong's gift to the KidLit world. Sylvia noted that this book was selected by the Children's Book Council as a "Hot off the Press" book for October. The illustrations by Frank Ramspott are everywhere throughout the book, adding another layer of excitement for readers. Let's take a look inside the book.

Sierra and I think highly of this book. It is much more than just a poetry anthology. It is a compendium filled with a storyline, 150 poems, fun illustrations, a journal, and topics children, along with teachers, librarians, and parents will enjoy. 

Children might wonder why this fabulous book is called a compendium, a word that my granddaughter certainly did not know before reading the book.

Compilation

Of 

Many

Poems

Entry space for journaling

fuN characters,

Doodles created by the illustrator along with

other Illustrations that dazzle

Upbeat poetry, ThimbleThoughts, and

Magnetic Wonderfuzz to broaden a child's knowledge.

©CVarsalona, 2024

Sierra and I are intrigued by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong's book which starts off telling the tale of a 4th-grade girl who brings poetry to life with a multitude of small visual thoughts, known as ThimbleThoughts, and interesting facts that cause Clara to pause and wonder (Wonderfuzz). Beyond that, Clara introduces us to her family, pets, friends, neighbors, school, and her teacher, Mrs. Booker. An interesting two-page spread provides Exercise #4: Word Bank followed by the poem Wonder-er by Irene Latham.

Recently, Sierra and I began our journey with Clara. The timing was right because the end of "Fall is the season for cozy hugs and warm hot chocolate mugs." Sierra is a curious child and a phenomenal reader who told me that she not only likes this book but finds the ThimbleThoughts and WonderFuzz interesting. She is eager to add her comments and fun-filled writing to follow in Clara's footsteps. 

Thanks to Sylvia and Janet for bringing to life not only Clara's willingness to share the 150 poems written by the Pomelo Poets but also a teacher's guide for the exercise part of the book. You can sample pages at the Amazon listing here. There are downloadable pages to guide teachers, librarians, and parents through the exercise pages at Poemelo Books. Click here.

I am delighted to be one of the Pomelo Poets whose poem is published in this amazing book. I stand beside many of my Poetry Friday friends who are also Poemlo Poets. My passion is baking and from the first correspondence with Janet Wong, I wrote that I love the art of baking. As I created my draft poems, I recalled memories of baking with my Nonnie when I was younger than Sierra.  A children's poem, "Would You Like To Bake?" evolved. It can be found on page 83 of Clara's Kooky Compendium of ThimbleThoughts and Wonderfuzz.

Can you guess what topic is located on the opposite page of mine?

"Who 8 The Candy? by Linda Picaro Tarantino.

I do love candy, especially dark chocolate.

I was pleased to see that Clara also wrote poems. I liked one called A Tornando's In My Tummy. I think the children who will read Clara's Kooky Compendium of ThimbleThoughts and Wonderfuzz will also enjoy seeing a child's poem besides adult poems. 

Are you interested? Maybe this book will be one for Santa's List. I saw him last week and he was excited for children to add special books to their lists. Next year, Clara's Kooky Compendium of ThimbleThoughts and Wonderfuzz will be part of the Cookies With Santa's reading section. Sierra may become one of Santa's little elf readers. Ho-Ho-Ho!

Some Families Join Santa at Cookies With Santa 2024

"A book is a gift you can open again and again." - Garrison Keillor

Happy Holidays To All!

🎄

It's time for me to add my post to Jone Rush MacCullock's Poetry Friday Roundup and Poetry Solstice Party. I shall also spread the news of this fabulous book across social media (my gift to readers).

Cookies With Santa

The spirit of Santa always always lives in our hearts, even when we outgrow childhood.  He is more than just a story. He is the spirit of the season who lives at the North Pole (I actually visited Santa's Workshop years ago when my children were young). Santa offers wonder-filled feelings of kindness and gives, receives joy, and brings magic to December days. 

I am proud to be a member of the Activities Committee in my community. For the second year, we offer an afternoon for grandchildren to visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus, their elves, and our Music Man. Bakers are busy in their kitchens creating delicious cookies for Santa's visitors. Baking elves are ready to bag the cookies for the children and other elves create a Santa wonderland. I am preparing for the event.

Children will enjoy the decor, have fun listening to holiday music, and listen to a Christmas or winter book read aloud. The highlight of the day will be Santa Claus but Mrs. Claus will have fun also. She arrives with a basketful of gifts for each child and the community veterans has a Toys for Tots box available for children who are not fortunate enough to have a new toy at the holidays. 

I am late in writing this post but am now ready to join Poetry Friday with my friend librarian and poet, Linda Mitchell. Linda stated that "one of the best things about about poetry, for me, is play." Check out what Linda means at her blog. She gave me an idea for a poem so I traveled to Kenn Nesbitt's Poetry 4 Kids blog. There I found a funny poem, Cookies for Santa. It inspired me to write a poem for our Cookies With Santa's event tomorrow. I had fun playing with rhyme and word choice and will have the poem will be at the reading elves' tables.

Santa's coming to town

In a suit of red

Waiting for children

Mrs. Claus, elves, and Music Man

Will happily join the plan.

Families will come in holiday-style

Just to see the Big Guy smile.

Adults will stand in line

Wondering if all will be fine?

Who will sit on Santa's lap?

Some may tug on his beard or hat?

Others may simply run away,

Cry, or say hip-hip hurray!

Storytime, cookies, and music will

Bring Santa a pre-Christmas thrill.

May all your photo ops recall

A glorious December day

With Santa's crew

Chatting in an old-fashioned way.

So Merry Christmas to all

And to all a good night!

   Playfully written by CVarsalona, 2024

Two Versions of My Garden Beds

This past November, there were challenges in the world and some in my personal life. Life is fragile and uncertain, just like my gardens but both are full of "beautiful memories sprayed with a million tears." 

In November the  Poetry Sisters' invited #PoetryPals Challenge to a writing challenge: Pluck a line or a theme from Jane Hirschfield's Two Versions and let that inspire your poem. When I was ready to write, a passing in the night of a dear friend took precedence. While November is no longer, my poem still sits waiting for me to have one more look. 

Two Versions of My Garden Beds

In the first version, my garden bed thrived

Under auspices that Autumn supplied.

Leaves blanketed the garden's flow

As flowers met in an undetermined row.

I listened for nature's quiet stroll.

That often touched my heartfelt soul.

In the second version, one garden bed

Did not follow Fall's design and spread.

In a misconceived, wildflower stance,

Leaves hid amongst wild mint plants.

Shadows of time passed. A single leaf

Hovered in a mix of frosted grief.  

draft ©CVarsalona, 2024

Heartstrings tug during November's memories but December brings the good news from a tiny creche. May there be peace and goodwill in the world.

Thank you to the Poetry Sisters for November's prompt. You can read other poems at Tanita S. Davis' blog here. Tanita hosted the event and there are wonderful poems to read. 

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for offering a reflective space for writers worldwide. I am turning my attention to the December 19th Slice of Life.

Wintering

It's December, a month of transition from Autumn to Winter and one year to the next. The temperatures are dipping lower, reminding me to slow down and pause but there is so much to do during the holiday season. 

Lately, I wake up thinking about what needs to be accomplished. Autumn decorations need to be boxed for next year. The laundry room is full of wash. Cookies need to be baked for our Cookies With Santa event. This hardly sounds like a slow-down day!

 What happened to reconnecting with nature? It's a frigid day so I shall spend most of the day indoors, pausing between the to-dos. I check in during afternoons and again at night to reflect on my heartthoughts that help me relax.

With that in mind, I am delighted that Kim Haynes Johnson, host of this month's Spiritual Journey Thursday, offers wintering as our theme.  I spent several days pondering how to create a slow-down period with warm memories. Then I found inspirational quotes and samples of Katherine May's book, Wintering: the Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times .

Wintering brings about some of the most profound and insightful moments of our human experience and wisdom resides in those who have wintered. -Kathering May, Wintering: the Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

As the winter winds blow in and snowstorms blanket many parts of the country. winter brings the opportunity to slow down and turn inward, beckoning us to come back to ourselves (Hilary Nicholls). Self-care during the winter is important. I hope to reach beyond my personal to-dos to give to others, especially my family. With an open mind and heart, I shall pass through the winter season with a mindful and positive attitude. Short pauses will help me reconnect with nature, faith, family, friends, and creativity.

Wintering Whispers

Looking out from my picture window

I see the beauty of a winter blue sky.

Almost bare trees sway in the distance.

I open the door to feel the cold. Brrr! 

Frosty December days are here. 

          Layers of clothing are needed.

Before checking off the to-do list

I pause, the holidays are nearing.

I breathe in crisp air and smile. Our 

family dinner after Grandmasitting

warms my heart. The memories last.

My little grandgirls were cuddled up,

with winter throws next to the fireplace.

Crumbs from the family dinner spread

Across the table. One quiet request was

Asked. Grandma, can I have a cookie? 

We were all present enjoying together-

Time as it should be. The onset of winter

Brings rest and renewal, transforming 

Thoughts beyond an ordinary day into

A shared experience with loved ones. 

Is it wintering that moves heartthoughts, 

Transforming my next spiritual journey?

draft ©CVarsalona, 2024 

I pause here to listen to an excerpt from the book, Wintering, by Katherine May. I hope you enjoy it also.

I close with another quote from Katherine May that inspires me to rethink next year's spiritual journey since this year has been a difficult one. 

“Wintering is the courage to stare down the worst parts of our experience and to commit to healing them the best we can.”

The healing part of life is what I am interested in now. Winter provides the time to plant seeds of renewal. I look forward to the soothing warmth of a nearby fireplace and the laughter of children enjoying the winter.

Wintering is every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself.-Elizabeth Gilbert

 

Thank you to Kim Haynes Johnson for hosting the Spiritual Journey

and 

Carol Labuzzetta for hosting Poetry Friday. 

  Suppose you have not read Carol's fabulously designed Picture Perfect Poetry, An Anthology   of Ekphrastic Nature Poetry for Students.  You may be interested in this book. Carol gathered a beautiful collection of ekphrastic poems and designed it in color. This would make a lovely gift for the holidays. You can read a sample here.

Note: I send my apologies to Poetry Friday friends for not commenting last week. A dear friend passed away and we had to travel from Virginia to Long Island for the weekend. 

#haikuforhealing - November 2024

It's late November and the chill is on. Lady Autumn sheds her leaves and prepares for warmer apparel. The scattered leaves fall here and there. Thanksgiving decor and dinner menus are in the preparation phase while grocery stores are busy with shoppers and turkey talk. This year my little grandgirls are coming to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving. We will have a wonderful time gathering together

In the meantime, I am sharing haikus with the hashtag #haikuforhealing. Thank you Mary Lee Hahn for offering this poetry project. What better time to share our thoughts via poetry and photos! (The above image is from Pixabay. Isn't it beautiful?)

🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃

Last Leaves of Autumn

Can you spot the heart-shaped leaf below?

brisk wind spins through trees

leaves bare their heart to nature

autumn transitions

©CVarsalona, 2024

🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃

Hempstead Lake Park, Long Island 2020 

fall's chilled weather

kisses the leaves goodbye

life moves on

©CVarsalona, 2024

🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂

Thanksgiving

handmade-crafted wreath

honors giving side of fall

gather together

©CVarsalona, 2024

🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂

"The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us." -James E. Faust

🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂

Be blessed and thankful at all times. I am grateful that I finally have time to write this blog post and send it to Poetry Friday's host, Ruth Hersey at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town. Ruth is in East Africa working with her husband. Besides being interested in birds with a tremendous knowledge of different species, she teaches English. Her Spiritual Journey blog, My world, your world, our world, is interesting since she has been around this world of ours.  

Time To Be Thankful

Yesterday, I walked out into a darker-than-usual sky. Fresh leaves were strewn across the lawn and tucked away in the corners of my car. I quickly dashed for the inside of my car as the rain continued to flow and an unusual coolness was felt. I paused to enjoy a slow-down moment not because it is National Gratitude Month but because it is uplifting to be one with nature and the beauty of the Earth. Ralph Waldo Emerson offered a touch of uplifting gratitude.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude."

With Thanksgiving almost here, the cookies baked for this weekend's Friendsgiving, and my little grandgirls visiting on Sunday, I feel blessed beyond measure. My house is ready to give thanks as is nature.

Mary Lee Hahn invited poets to write a #haikuforhealing. Since our mixed-up world, needs healing on many fronts I decided to join in. My thoughts begin with autumn sharing its last breath.

🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂🍃

Now it is time for me to join Poetry Friday with our host, Karen Edmisten, who sends us a poem that we all need and this thought: "Hug each other, stand for what is right and good, and keep creating and embracing beauty."

Blessed Beyond Measure

 

It's nearing Thanksgiving and our community is having its first Friendsgiving event. I decided my offering would be seasonal cookies from the heart of my kitchen. My son is my assistant. As I search for recipes, I remember baking with my Nonnie as a little girl. Memories of her rolling dough on her large breadboard come to mind. For many years of her life, my mother would make holiday cookies with me, using the Susan Branch cookbooks or recipes she found. One year my aunt passed down Italian cookie recipes from my Nonnie who did not read, write, or speak English. I laugh now reading that all of those recipes used lard, a staple during the war years.

 

Like my grandmother and mother, I enjoy being creative while baking. Above is a new group of pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies I made this morning with a pumpkin that was previously roasted. To get the right taste I added various spices. Tomorrow I will add a dark chocolate frosting.

"Baking is the poetry of the kitchen."

Jean -Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

I was delighted to find this quote this morning. Baking is not only an art but a tradition in my family. It is a way to express creativity, emotion, and feelings as does poetry. 

Baking Memories

Memories float through my kitchen today

as sweet smells waft through the air.

Nonnie's large breadboard sits in the corner

reminding me of loving hands

that kneaded the dough to create

delectable cookies and honey dolls.

I pause to offer my son finger licks

of the leftovers in the bowl,

an after-baking tradition.

The art of baking has become

a blessing beyond measure.

draft, ©CVarsalona, 2024

August 2021

SPECIAL NOTE:

I am passionate about baking. I love the art of baking so much that I wrote a children's poem, "Would You Like To Bake?', that was published in "Clara's Kooky Compendium of ThimbleThoughts and WonderFuzz". This fabulous book was recently published by the amazing duo, Sylvia Vardel and Janet Wong, high-spirited and talented poets, authors, and editors. Frank Ramspott illustrated the book with clever designs and artwork to delight children. This is a book that you will want in your classroom and school libraries.  Stay tuned for my full review of the book. 

************************

This is my Tuesday's Slice of Life that I send to Two Writing Teachers,

a meeting place for a world of reflective writers.