Poetry Friday - A review of Hey There Stink Bug!

Ever since I had a pet beetle when I was five, I have had a fascination with, and abiding respect for, insects. They come in so many shapes, colors, and sizes, and they have managed to adapt to incredibly harsh conditions in many parts of the world.

Today's poetry title is a kind of Ode To Insects, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Hey there, Stink Bug!

Leslie Bulion
Illustrator:  Leslie Evans
Poetry
For ages 8 to 12
Charlesbridge, 2006, 978-1580893046
We are going to take a journey into the world of insects, those creatures that  have been around for "four hundred million years evolving" and that can do all kinds of remarkable and unexpected things.

   So off we go to explore the lives and worlds of stink bugs, aphids, bombardier beetles, flies, caterpillars, antlions, fireflies, and many others. Who would have thought that there could be so many kinds of flies, and did you know that aphid mothers give birth to "clones" of themselves? Imagine what it would be like to shoot "boiling hot acid" at ones enemies, and did you know that insects can send out chemical signals to warn and inform others of their kind?

   Not only are these poems informative and entertaining, but many of them are also visual, the author using her words to create pictures on the pages. In addition, to accompany many of the poems, the author provides further information about the insects described in the poems. Finally, the author has written some "Poetry Notes" that describe the poetry forms that she used in each of the nineteen poems in the book.

   To provide a fitting backdrop and accompaniment to the poems, Leslie Evans has created beautiful print like illustrations executed in bright colors and bold lines. They are perfect gems, just like the insects whose lives are presented in the poems.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and eighty-nine

It is not easy being a farmer, especially if you have livestock of any kind. We live on the edge of town, and so far we have seen horses, goats, and cows breaking out of their fields so that they can wander around the neighborhood. So far the sheep have stayed put, but I believe it is only a matter of time before we see them walking up our road and heading towards town.

In today's picture book you will meet some sheep who know exactly what they want to do, and who are not afraid to do it.

Hide and Sheep

Andrea Beaty

Illustrated by Bill Mayer

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-1-4169-2544-6

   Farmer McFitt is fast asleep and his sheep are taking advantage of his doziness by jumping over the gate and running away. He really needs to wake up “before it’s too late.”

   Ten of the sheep head for the zoo where they have a splendid time making friends with an okapi, a kangaroo, a giraffe, and some chimpanzees. Another nine decide that the circus life is what they need, and soon they are dancing with a bear, flying out of a cannon, and walking on the high wire. In a nearby sports stadium, eight sheep join a baseball game where they nibble the grass and confound the players. Then there are the seven sheep who go to the movie theatre where they watch a movie and eat so much popcorn that they feel sick. Where are the rest of the wooly wanderers, and will Farmer McFitt be able to gather them up so that he can shear them and knit some clothes?

   Children who like books that are full of wonderfully goofy characters and ridiculous situations are sure to enjoy this picture book. The story ends happily for everyone, and young readers are sure to have a good laugh when they see the last page. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and eighty-eight

Not long ago my daughter asked me if I had ever ran away from home, and I told her the story about my one and only running away effort. I was about seven years old and for some reason I decided that I could not live with my parents any more. I picked up my favorite teddy bear and my blanket and marched out of the house, nose in the air and a firm resolve not to yield in my heart. My father found me sitting on the sidewalk about four blocks from my house. After a tearful reunion, he and I walked back home hand in hand, and we had two enormous bowls of ice-cream to help heal the rift between us.

Today's picture book is about another little girl who wants to run away from home and who discovers that it is not an easy thing to do. 

Itsy Mitsy runs away

Elanna Allen

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-1-4424-0671-1

   Mitsy is a little girl who absolutely and positively hates bedtime. Finally, Mitsy decides that she isn’t going to tolerate bedtimes anymore. She is going to run away from home. Mitsy’s dad, who happens to be a very understanding kind of fellow, offers to help Mitsy pack. He reminds Mitsy that she is going to need a take a friend along. Going without any bedtimes is all well and good, but one cannot manage without friends.

   Mitsy packs up Mister Roar, who is her friendliest dinosaur, and then she prepares to leave the house. Which is when her father asks Mitsy what Mister Roar is going to eat. Misty forgot about her dinosaur’s culinary needs, and so she packs “a small snack” for Mister Roar. Then Dad reminds Mitsy that there are “bedtime beasties” out there, so she decides that she needs to take Puptart, her ferocious dog with her. She does not realize that she is going to have to take a lot more with her before she is finally able to run away from home.

   Children who are convinced that running away from home is the answer to all their problems are sure to be amused by this delightful and funny picture book. As they read, children will consider what they would take with them if they were to run away. Would they too end up packing all that is near and dear to them before they left?

   With expressive illustrations and a “This is the house that Jack built” type format incorporated into the tale, this is a picture book that every young child will appreciate.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and eighty-seven

Though I grew up with the family dog and cat, I always wanted a pet of my own. I cannot count the number of times I came home with a puppy, a kitten, a baby bird, a fish, a hamster, an insect, or a grass snake. I cannot count the number of times I asked "Can I keep it pleeeeeeease?" My mother always said no. Having had these experiences, I was eager to read and review today's picture book, which is about a little boy who brings home all kinds of animals, large and small.

Not inside this house!

Kevin Lewis

Illustrated by David Ercolini

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 7

Scholastic, 2011, 978-0-439-43981-7

   Livingstone Columbus Magellan Crouse does not care for toys. In fact, he finds “any plaything from a store” to be a “great big BORE.” Livingstone would much rather spend his time outdoors exploring. He enjoys collecting insects of all kinds, but when he takes his finds home, his mother makes it clear that his little creepy crawly friends are not welcome in her house.

   Trying to be sensitive to his mother’s wishes, Livingstone goes outside and he traps a mouse using a simple paper cup, a stick, and some popcorn. At home he constructs a fabulous habitat for his mouse, and then his mother comes into his room and she sees what her son is doing. Not surprisingly, Livingstone’s mother is not happy to see the mouse in her house and she tells her son that “no mice are allowed inside this house.” Perhaps she thinks that her son will now give up bringing home unsuitable pets. Little does she realize that he has only just begun!

   Children are sure to laugh out loud as they read this funny book with its rhyming text and its delightful illustrations. They will understand why Livingstone keeps bringing animals home, and they will be delighted when they see how this adventure turns out. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and eighty-six

Learning to give up something you want or something you have for the sake of another person is a hard lesson to learn for anyone. For young children it is particularly difficult. In today's picture book one of my favorite picture book characters, Alfie, gives up something he is very attached to to help a friend in need. It is a very sweet and warm story.

Alfie gives a hand

Shirley Hughes

Picture Book With CD

For ages 4 to 6

Random House UK, 2010, 978-1-862-30990-6

   One day Alfie comes home from nursery school carrying an envelope that has his name on it. Alfie’s mother explains that the card inside the envelope is an invitation inviting Alfie to Bernard’s birthday party. Alfie is very excited because he has never been to a birthday party before.

   Before the party, Alfie gets clean and all dressed up. He gets a little anxious when his mother explains that she and his little sister Annie Rose will not be at the party. To make himself feel better, Alfie gets his old blanket and he insists on taking it with him to the party.

   At the party, Alfie sees Bernard and his other friends from nursery school. He refuses to put his blanket down so he has a hard time playing with the others. He even carries his blanket to the tea table and as a result, his blanket gets awfully dirty.

   Throughout the party, Bernard the birthday boy is rather obnoxious, and after the tea he puts on a tiger mask that scares poor little Min so much that she holds onto Alfie. Then Bernard’s Mum announces that they are going to play ring-a-ring-o’-roses, and Alfie finds himself in the middle of a situation that does not have any room for his blanket. What is he going to do?

   In this delightful picture book, Shirley Hughes once again tells a story that describes an everyday kind of adventure. She also has her main character, little Alfie, discover that there are times when the needs of others supersede one’s own needs.

   Children who like to listen to audiobooks will be delighted to see that this picture book has a CD that goes with it. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and eighty-five

Soon after I moved to the United States in 1991, I started to read the Washington Post. In addition to learning about my new country through the news stories and articles, I really enjoyed reading the daily installment of the For Better or For Worse comic strip. I remember how much I looked forward to finding out what was going to happen next in the lives of the Patterson family and their friends. Today's picture book features one of the characters from this strip, and it is a title that dog lovers of all ages will really enjoy reading.

Farley and the lost bone

Lynn Johnston and Beth Cruikshank

Illustrated by Lynn Johnston

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Andrews McMeel, 2011, 978-1-4494-0306-5

   It is spring, and Farley the dog and his person Elly are outside in the yard enjoying the warm sun and the blue sky. Elly is digging in the flower border, and seeing her at work reminds Farley of something that I can’t quite put his paw on. Try as he might, Farley cannot remember what it was. He knows that it was something that he “really, REALLY wanted to do when the snow was gone,” but now he cannot for the life of him remember.

   Then Farley sees John pick up a wrench, and Farley remembers a day many weeks ago when Elly gave him a fabulous bone, which Farley promptly buried in the yard. That very night it had snowed and Farley’s bone was trapped in the frozen ground.

   Now at last, the ground has thawed and Farley can dig up his bone. There is one problem though. Farley cannot remember where he buried his bone. He dashes from place to place frantically trying to find his treasure, annoying one family member after another with his digging activities. Farley does not want to make everyone mad. All he wants to do is to find his bone!

   For years, readers of all ages followed the adventures of the Patterson in the For Better or For Worse comic strip. This is a story about Farley, the beloved family dog who appeared in the comic strip many times.

   Anyone who has had a dog will instantly recognize that look of concentration on Farley’s face as he tries very hard to remember something, and later to find something that he has lost.

   With wonderful illustrations throughout and a doggy character who is instantly loveable, this is a picture book that readers of all ages will enjoy.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and eighty-four

I love word picture books. When I was little, the best books of this kind were created by Richard Scarry. I probably learned a large portion of my childhood vocabulary thanks to Huckle the Cat and his friends. These days many authors and illustrators are creating splendid word books. Today I have one that focuses on vacation-related words. Children who are going to be going on their own vacations this summer will surely enjoy looking through this title, and it would be a great book to tuck into a backpack for a long car, train, or airplane ride.

Curious Kids go on vacation

Heloise Antoine

Illustrated by Ingrid Godon

Picture book

For ages 5 to 7

Peachtree Publishers, 1997, 1-56145-143-6

   It is time to go on a vacation, and the members of the Curious family are getting ready for their trip. What should they take and how much can they fit into their suitcases and bags? The little girl packs Bobo her stuffed bunny, and the little boy wants to take his tape player along.

   After Mom and Dad get the car all loaded up, they set off.  There are lots of things to look at as they drive down the highway. The children look out of the windows and see signs, traffic lights, tollbooths, and vehicles of all kinds.

   Here are the twins with their grandparents, having a picnic in the countryside. Grandpa has brought a fishing rod, the little boy has picked some flowers, and Grandma is laying out the food and drink on a blanket in the grass.

   This is just the beginning of their adventures because the twins are going to travel on a train, they are going to go to the beach, and they are going to go on a ferry. They will also go camping, they will visit the mountains, they will go to an airport, and they will try to find something to do on a rainy day.

   In this wonderful word book, young readers can follow the adventures of twins as they go on vacation with their family. On every page, a central illustration is surrounded by small pictures of things that relate to the theme on that page. For example on the camping page, we see pictures of a crescent moon, a camp stove, a cooler, a camper, an ant, and backpacks. Each little picture is labeled with its name. Children who cannot read yet can practice remembering the names of the things that they see on the pages, and children who can read can practice reading the name labels for themselves. Readers will be delighted to discover that some objects appear on every double page spread.

   This is one in a series of word picture books featuring the Curious Kids. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and eighty-three

We live in a society that loves the idea that "more is better." More clothes, more techi toys, more stuff. More, more, and more. There are situations though where more really is not a better thing, and in this book you will learn about one of these situation. 

I’ve got an elephant

Anne Ginkel

Illustrated by Janie Bynum

Picture book

For ages 4 to 6

Peachtree Publishers, 2006, 1-56145-373-0

   A little girl has an elephant friend who shares her bed every night. He wears Superman pajamas and is a splendid cuddler. It is a wonderful to have such a friend, but the elephant tends to get lonely when the little girl goes to school every week day.

   Then one day, the elephant goes out and he comes home with an elephant friend of his own. The two elephants are great companions for each other and for the little girl. They help the little girl with her reading, but when she goes shopping, they get lonely and they decide to get another elephant friend to live with them.

   Over time, more and more elephants join the little girl’s household. They dance beautifully at ballet class, go fishing, play dress-up, go swimming, and go to the movies. The thing of it is, there does come a time when having numerous elephant friends becomes a bit of a problem.

   Children will be hard pressed not to laugh out loud when they see how more and more elephants are added to the story. What is the little girl going to do with all these elephants? When will another elephant be one elephant too many?

   With expressive watercolor illustrations throughout, this is a perfect book to share with a child. 

Poetry Friday - A review of At the Sea Floor Café: Odd Ocean Critter Poems

In the July and August issue of TTLG, which was launched today, the special feature is all about oceans, seas, and the creatures that live in them. For today's poetry title I have a delightfully briny collection of poems that will appeal to anyone who likes poetry or who has an interest in marine animals.

At the Sea Floor Café: Odd Ocean Critter Poems

Leslie Bulion

Illustrated by Leslie Evans

Poetry

For ages 9 to 12

Peachtree Publishers, 2011, 978-1-56145-565-2

   Many people imagine that the ocean is a rather uniform place. In fact it is full of very different habitats. There are habitats that are in shallow waters, and those that are far out in deep waters where darkness prevails. There are places that are “boiling hot, where acids seep,” and those that are “frigid and pressured and mountainy-steep.”

   In these very unique places animals of all kinds live. Some are huge and some are miniscule. They are “jelly-ish, delicate, venomy, spiny,” and they are “hunters, foragers, hiders, and peekers. The amazing thing is that there must be dozens of species out there that we have yet to discover. After all, we have only explored “the tiniest fraction” of this watery world.

   After inviting us to “Dive in and see the sea,” the author of these poems takes us underwater to meet a selection of marine animals. For each animal she had created a poem, which is accompanied by a section of text that tells us more about the animal in question. For example on one page we meet the Jeweled Anemone Crab. In the poem we hear about how the crab defends its “secondhand shell home / with anemone jewelry.” In the text below the poem we learn about how these crabs live in shells that they find, and how they put living sea anemones on the shells to serve as camouflage and protection.

   On another page we read about narwhal whales and how people have observed two of these animals “sparring” as they rub their long single unicorn like tusks together. The odd thing is that these animals are not fighting at all. They are actually brushing their teeth!

   Full of wonderful poems written using many different kinds of poetic forms, and packed with fascinating facts about marine animals, this is a book of poetry that combines art and science in a singular and memorable way. Throughout the book colorful block print illustrations provide a delightful backdrop for the poems and the text.

   At the back of the book, readers will find a glossary where scientific terms are explained and a section about the poetry forms used in the book.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and eighty-two

When you have a small child in the house who is always asking "Can I...?" or "I want..." you often find yourself saying "No!" automatically because the answer usually should be no. Though my daughter is now eleven I still catch myself doing saying "No!" without thinking, and I have to ask myself, "Well, why not? What's the harm if she does?" In this picture book you will meet a trio of friends, one of whom is very young and who is always saying "I want..." 

Captain Small Pig

Martin Wadell

Illustrated by Susan Varley

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Peachtree Publishers, 2009, 978-1-56145-519-5

   One bright sunny day, Old Goat and Turkey take Small Pig to Blue Lake where they find a little red rowing boat. Small Pig wants to go for a row, and even though Turkey and Old Goat announce that turkeys and goats “don’t go in boats,” the three friends are soon rowing across the lake.

   Once they are out on the lake, Small Pig announces that he wants to “fish for whales.” Turkey explains that there aren’t any whales in the lake, but Old Goat ties a piece of string to an oar so that their young friend can try his hand at fishing. Later, Small Pig decides that he wants to row. Turkey is convinced that Small pig is too small to row a boat, but Old Goat is happy to let the little pig take a turn. Grumpily Turkey goes along with all of Small Pig’s requests, little realizing that a rather wet surprise lies in his future.

   This delightfully charming picture book perfectly captures the close and giving relationship that the goat, turkey, and the little pig share. Their individual personalities come through beautifully, and children will find the story reassuring and gently amusing.