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Books

Poetry by the Words Children’s books with rhyme and reason. By Craig Reem Published: September, 2006

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Poetry is a great reading tool for children of all  ages, although the most captive audience tends to be the younger ones  still learning the language. The rhyming verses are fun and create a  nice rhythm when read aloud. Our selections this month include books  of poems about animals, vegetables and music. All are a delight. Children’s books with rhyme and reason [For infants-4] Let’s Go Visiting Written by Sue Williams; illustrated by Julie Vivas (Harcourt, board book, 32 pages, $10.95) One bouncy toddler and her golden dog go visiting around the farm  in this appealing book, which combines rhyming text with a counting  lesson. The child sees one  foal, two calves, three kittens, and so on. The simple text is perfect for  little ones to pick up the cadence, and the pictures are cute and colorful. In the Fiddle Is a Song: A Lift-the-Flap Book of Hidden  Potential By Durga Bernhard (Chronicle Books, hardcover, 20 pages, $10.95) Almost nothing is as it appears to be. An acorn is not just an acorn; it has the potential to grow into a mighty oak. Somewhere inside a fragrant pink blossom is a ripe, juicy plum waiting to emerge. And so it is with people as well, says Durga Bernhard in this lift-the-flap book that explores the hidden potential in everything. The words are simple but eloquent, and the illustrations, done in gouache, are charming. Time to Say Goodnight Written by Sally Lloyd-Jones; illustrated by Jane Chapman (Harper, hardcover, 28 pages, $15.99) It might help young children to know that even little animals have to go to sleep sometimes. While night settles over the forest, bunnies and fawns and baby birds are all getting ready to close their eyes under the watchful care of their parents. The nicely rhyming text is accompanied by adorable, colorful pictures of the cute animals. This could well become a nighttime favorite. [For ages 3-7] The Magic Hat Written by Mem Fox; illustrated by Tricia Tusa (Harcourt, paperback, 32 pages, $7) Told in a bright, bouncy verse, this is the story of a magical hat  that transforms everyone who wears it. It appears out of nowhere, alights  on the head of a grumpy man, and turns him into a toad. Then it turns a snoring man, sleeping on a  bench, into a sleeping bear. When an enchanted wizard returns to claim  the hat, all  the children are left wondering, who is he, really? The ink illustrations are  colorful and whimsical. Earth Day Birthday Written by Pattie Schnetzler; illustrated by Chad Wallace (Dawn Publications, paperback, 32 pages, $8.95) Written to the cadence of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” Pattie Schnetzler re-imagines a whole scenario of animal images: “On the first Earth Day birthday, the wide world gave to me, a bald eagle in the blue sky.” And on the verse goes, including all kinds of animals, such as five spotted fawns, nine turtles hatching, and so on. The book, with its beautiful accompanying pictures, reminds children to take care of the Earth every day, and offers a list of suggestions for the kind of “gifts” the Earth would enjoy. [For ages 5-9] The Llama Who Had No Pajama Written by Mary Ann Hoberman; illustrated by Betty Fraser (Harcourt, paperback, 68 pages, $8) This collection of 100 poems contains a verse for every mood, be it  pensive, festive or just plain silly. There are observations about  nature and animals,  the seasons, neighbors and friends, and traveling. The verses are simple, yet  clever enough to entertain an older reader. The Sound That Jazz Makes Written by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Eric Velasquez (Walker Publishing Co., paperback, 30 pages, $7.95) In lyrical stanzas, this book captures the roots of jazz, from its earliest  seeds in African rhythms, through the slave days, through gospel and early  Dixieland, to modern jazz. It even includes rap music, as it owes its rhythms  to those established in jazz. It relays a good history lesson for kids, and  tells it in simple, rhyming text. The oil paintings of the artists capture  their passion and style. [For all ages] The Beauty of the Beast: Poems From the Animal Kingdom Edited by Jack Prelutsky; illustrated by Meilo So (Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover, 112 pages, $19.95) This is a gorgeous anthology of poetry all about animals, from insects  to reptiles  to birds to mammals. The poetry, selected by children’s poet Jack Prelutsky, includes selections from other stellar figures, including Carl Sandburg, Conrad Aiken, Margaret Wise Brown and Ted Hughes. I Heard It From Alice Zucchini Written by Juanita Havill; illustrated by Christine Davenier (Chronicle Books, hardcover, 32 pages, $15.95) Prize-winning children’s author Juanita Havill has created a delightful  book of 20 poems about gardens and gardening. They are whimsical, touching  and some are laugh-out-loud funny. In “Garden Gossip,” a young  bunny tells a group, “I heard it from Alice Zucchini, I wonder what the  neighbors will say. Max Bean said a bad word at recess, so bad that Ms. Spinach  turned gray.” The accompanying illustrations, done in inks, are colorful  and clever.

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