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.
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.
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!
"A book is a gift you can open again and again." - Garrison Keillor
Happy Holidays To All!
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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).
