The ingeniousness of this book is that it teaches children about nature and also gently introduces them to looser, more flexible styles of poetry. Over 106 pages of breathtaking cut-paper illustrations, children are presented with poems and prose over subjects such as, “Listen to the Pond,” “Making Compost,” “Honey,” “Pond Dipping,” “Five Reasons to Keep Chickens,” “Leaves,” “Fungi,” and “Winter Trees.”
One of my favorite selections from this book is called “This is the Loaf that Jack Baked.” Presented in the same format at the well-known story, “This is the House that Jack Built,” this story teaches children that a loaf of bread comes from flour, which comes from grains of wheat, which comes from an ear, which comes from a stalk, which comes from a seed planted in the ground, which was planted by a person. What a clever way to teach children where food comes from!
Most of the poems in this book do not rhyme, and the similes and metaphors may be a bit difficult for younger children to grasp, but the illustrations in this book are what firmly sells it as a masterpiece. I appreciate how this book introduces children to the natural mysteries and wonders that can be found right outside one’s back door and subtly shows children exciting yet simple ways to explore nature.
A must-read!
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