Poetry Rocks! by Stephanie Buckwalter
February 3, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under Book Reviews
Reviewed by Karen Cioffi
Title: Poetry Rocks! Early American Poetry
Author: Stephanie Buckwalter
Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN: 13: 978-0-7660-3277-4
ISBN: 10: 0-7660-3277-9
Poetry Rocks! Early American Poetry “Beauty in Words” explores poetry in America from colonial days to the end of the nineteenth century. It is a wonderful stepping stone for children to journey into the world of verse. Illustrations and pictures of the authors lend an air of informality to the book while the poems, facts, information, and descriptions enlighten the child to poets such as Anne Bradstreet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickenson, and Walt Whitman to name a few.
In a complete package, Buckwalter includes the elements of poetry, such as stanzas and poetic meter. She also includes explanations of words and terminology featured in the poems and the corresponding time periods. Along with this, there are very interesting, yet brief, biographies of the poets, along with details of their writings, bringing to light the hows and whys of the poems. In addition, Buckwalter sheds light on romanticism, reality, and poetic license and technique. This detailed analysis is provided in easy to read content.
As an added feature, at the end of each poets section, Buckwalter provides further reading resources. This is a valuable tool for the child who is sparked by a particular poet and wants to learn more.
I fondly remember as a youth reading a couple of the poems Buckwalter dissects in Poetry Rocks! Early American Poetry “Beauty in Words.” Without this type of children’s book, our youth would miss out on learning about a beautiful form of writing and a certain perspective of the world around us.
In the introduction, Buckwalter explains: “Poets often see the world differently from most people. Some can see things hidden in the mundane; others scale lofty heights of philosophy. They all take words that capture ideas, feelings, and truth, and arrange them in ways that illuminate those realities.” I love this explanation; it’s simple, yet profound.
I highly recommend this book for children in the grade levels recommended.
***************
Karen Cioffi is an author and freelance writer. You can learn more about Karen at: karencioffi.com/media-page. Join her mailing list at DKV Writing 4 U and receive a special gift: Writing, Publishing, and Marketing – You Can Do It!
Please note: The gift offered at the site changes periodically.
Melissa and the Green Blanket by Julie S. Dobbins
February 3, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under Book Reviews
Reviewed by Karen Cioffi for the National Writing for Children Center
Title: Melissa and the Green Blanket
Author: Julie S. Dobbins
Music by: Craig Dobbins
Illustrated by: David Moon
What’s the telltale mark of a wonderful children’s book or CD? The answer to this is easy, when a child requests to read it, or hear it, over and over and over…
Melissa and the Green Blanket is just such a CD. Along with the audio, Dobbins includes a small booklet with simple black and white illustrations. Dabs of green are used for the blanket. While the illustrations are simple, they hold the child’s attention.
I played Melissa and the Green Blanket for my 3-year-old grandson while we looked at the corresponding pages in the booklet – he was engrossed. He asked to listen to it five times! And, he had to look at the booklet while we listened. Not much else needs to be said about this CD/book’s child appeal.
The story is about a little girl who loves, and relies on, her green security blanket. One day, she can’t find her special, make-me-invisible and protect-me-from-monsters, blanket. The search is on… and Mom to the rescue.
What is especially beneficial with stories in this format, is that the parent, guardian, grandparent, or other, doesn’t have to read a story over and over – the author/teller does it for you. Along with an engaging and entertaining story, Dobbins voice is soothing and expressive, as is the accompanying music. I highly recommend Melissa and the Green Blanket.
*********************
Karen Cioffi is an author and freelance writer. You can learn more about Karen at: karencioffi.com/media-page. Join her mailing list at DKV Writing 4 U and receive a special gift: Writing, Publishing, and Marketing – You Can Do It!
Please note: The gift offered at the site changes periodically.
Awakening of the Dream Riders
January 30, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under Book Reviews
Reviewed by Donna M. McDine
Title: Awakening of the Dream Riders
Written by: Lynda Louise Mangoro
Soft cover: 226 pages
Ages: 9-12
Publisher: Journeymakers, Inc. Publishing
ISBN: 13-978-0-9841142-1-4 ?
Published: January 2010
The awakening of one’s destiny can take an individual by surprise. Especially a child who is thrust into circumstances they many not fully understand. Couple it with friends who are as equally gifted and with spiritual guidance; one’s gifts will soar.
For every relationship a person has, each has a specific reason why they are connected to you. Without exception the lives of Kyra and her friends are forever bound to learn and accept their life lessons and what they can do to make humankind more accepting to one another through each of their special abilities.
Will Kyra and her friends come to a full understanding of their gifts in time to save the person in their first assignment? Come along for this spellbinding journey of self discovery and not judging a book by its cover. For you too may unearth a new perspective and attitude towards those in your life.
Discover Lynda Louise Mangoro’s spiritual and fascinating world at www.mangoro.co.uk/dreamriders and be amazed by what the universe has to offer.
************
Donna McDine visit her online at http://www.donnamcdine.com. sign the guestbook and receive FREE e-Book, Write What Inspires You Author Interviews.
Penny & Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery by Jennifer Swanson
January 24, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under Book Reviews
Reviewed by Kristi Bernard for The National Writing for Children Center
Title: Penny & Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery
Written by: Jennifer Swanson
Illustrated by: Swapan Debnath
Ages: 6-12
Publisher: Mirror Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-936046-10-2
If your children love pets then they will love Penny & Rio. These two dogs are really funny. This story gives kids a pets point of view as to what makes them bark and take a lot of naps.
Penny and Rio are at it again. Well, mostly Penny. The Locked Doghouse Mystery is another 5 chapter adventure. This time Squeaky the mouse has lost something very important to him. It was left in a doghouse that has been locked. How will he get in to retrieve his precious treasure? The key to the lock is hidden in a bone buried somewhere in the yard. After lots of digging with the help of Penny, Rio and Hobbes mission accomplished. Squeaky’s family photos were saved.
Author Jennifer Swanson was awarded the Childrens Choice award in 2008 and also the Royal Palm Literary Award. To learn more, visit www.cbcbooks.org. You can also visit Jennifer Swanson’s site atwww.pennyandrio.com.
***************
Learn more about Kristi Bernard at Get Kids to Read.
Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting by Jennifer Swanson
January 24, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under Book Reviews
Reviewed by Kristi Bernard for The National Writing for Children Center
Title: Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting
Written by: Jennifer Swanson
Illustrated by: Rosita Schandy & Neal Wooten
Ages: 6-12
Publisher: Mirror Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822560-1-5
If your children love pets then they will love Penny & Rio. These two dogs are very funny. This story gives kids a pets point of view as to what makes them bark and take a lot of naps.
This 5 chapter book is an enjoyable quick read. Penny is a very active dog. She likes to dig and play in the back yard. She often finds herself locked in the garage when she barks so much her owner wakes up. Rio, on the other hand is a nap taker. She would prefer to lounge around and have Penny keep her abreast on the yard activities.
The mysterious backyard meeting begins when Penny over hears a squirrel, owl and cat discussing a break in to the neighbors house. Penny is compelled to stop them but needs help from Rio. But that takes some convincing. They dig up the yard under a piece of broken fence to get to the neighbors house. Once inside Penny discovers that the cat has a baby brother that needs rescuing. Penny helps save the day. Mystery solved.
Author Jennifer Swanson was awarded the Childrens Choice award in 2008 and also the Royal Palm Literary Award. To learn more, visit www.cbcbooks.org. You can also visit Jennifer Swanson’s site at www.pennyandrio.com.
***************
Learn more about Kristi Bernard at Get Kids to Read.
