The things that we don’t normally celebrate – in fact, the things we hardly even notice – are center stage in this book of poems that takes us through the day, following a bunch of active, thoughtful, welcoming kids. The subjects of the poems range from the lowly toothbrush and a pair of pants, to a breakfast cup and bowl, favorite foods – hot dogs, ice-cream cones, spaghetti – all the way to the just-right pillow.
But why should I tell you? Listen to the poet:
SOCKS
I never stop
to think about socks,
and if I get them
for a birthday present
from Aunt Adi,
I’m disappointed.
You can’t play
with socks. …
and:
LEAVES
In spring
yellow-green and tiny
you pop out
and dress big trees
in baby clothes …
and for Halloween
you wear costumes!
some dress as flames or grapes,
some as oranges or gold coin…
and:
LIGHT
Where do you go
when it’s dark?
Back into lightbulbs when I turn them off?
Do you hide in closets
under the covers,
or in refrigerators? …
Maybe tonight
I won’t sleep.
I’ll just stay up,
searching
the darkness
till I find
you.
Energetic, bright-eyed children cavort on the big open colorful pages reminding us that being curious and exploring the world are the main jobs of children, and that our job as their grown-ups is to keep encouraging them to look carefully, to notice, and to question. You hear the voices of children in every poem, making this a great book for new readers. The short poems use every-day language, familiar words mixed with some that will stretch readers, voicing the kinds of thoughts and questions all kids have.
- Gerstein's keen observations and unrhymed phrases offer a window into a world in which autumn leaves fall "to the ground/ like a blanket of colorful,/ crispy cornflakes," and a toothbrush has a foamy, gargling life of its own.
- Publisher's Weekly
- Kids will enjoy the fanciful word pictures and colorful illustrations.
- Children's Literature