As promised last week, I'm back again with another marvelous poetry book by Charles Ghigna. But this time, it's not just one poem It is one hundred and one! THE FATHER GOOSE TREASURY OF POETRY (Schiffer Books: 2023) is divided into seven sections. There is one section for each season, plus "Home," "Animals," and "Poetry." In this blog, Charles talks about the process of how he decided which poems to include in the anthology-- as well as his favorite sweet treats.
REVIEW
Charles uses nature themes and a vivid imagination to write poetry that brings smiles to readers of all ages. The way he incorporates sensory imagery makes readers take notice of word choice and world details.
Take this poem for example:
White Butterflies
I like to watch the falling snow.
It puts on such a lovely show.
It looks like little veils of lace,
White butterflies upon my face. (p. 37)
I found three types of figurative language in this word picture--how many do you find? Highlight the following phrase for the answer. personification, simile, metaphor).
Or, how about this sing-song poem with its unique way of rhyming? This one reminds me of how Charles listened to music as a child--you can almost hear the music behind his words.
The title itself makes me laugh and the illustrations of trees dancing in the wind compliment the poem perfectly. Look closely at the cloud and goose and you'll see collage elements that illustrator Sara Brezzi incorporated.
"Morning Rain" reminds me of one of my childhood favorites, Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses. (Does anyone else remember the "Land of Counterpane"? I was pleased to find out that Charles and I both read this book as children!)
Morning Rain
Like a shadow
Passing by,
Storm clouds
Fill the morning sky,
From my window
I see wonder,
A lightning strike,
A clap of thunder.
I sit beside
The window pane
And watch the world
Fill up with rain. (p.21)
Many of Charles' poems are playful,
Thunder Bugs
On stormy nights
I often wonder,
Do lightning bugs
Make the thunder? (p.59)
Some are thought-provoking:
Orion's Way
Each evening
he enters
the black forest
of night
and spreads
his star crumbs
across the sky
to find his way
back home. (p. 29)
And,
 |
In honor of the Talking Story issue on wordplay, I had to share this one:
Wild Romance
I love EWE
I'm not LION
I really GOPHER you.
I never GNU this would happen.
You are so DEER to me.
It's more than I can BEAR.
Let us SEAL our love with a kiss.
I will always BEE yours.
I will never have any EGRETS.
You are my one and only GULL.
OWL always love you. (p. 101)
CURRICULUM RESOURCE and GIVEAWAY
Parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians--don't miss the opportunity to add this book to your collection! It's a wonderful read-aloud as well as an opportunity to teach figurative language.
Leave one comment here for one chance to win this book. Leave another through Talking Story for a second chance. On the far right column, you'll see an email address to enter four giveaways. Click on the link and let me know which book you are most interested in winning. (I try to honor requests-but I can't guarantee what Random.org picks!). U.S. addresses only. The giveaway ends on July 15th.
Congratulations to Gail Cartee who won A Poem is a Firefly from last week's blog.
16 comments:
Wow! This would be a wonderful book to share with my 9-year-old granddaughter. Thanks for sharing!
Connie Saunders
cps1950ATgmailDOTcom
She would, Connie. Your name starts the list!
The poetry in this book looks perfect--I need to read the whole book! Thanks for sharing! And yes--I had the book "A Child's Garden of Verses." I don't remember the Land of Counterpane, but I can picture the cover and several other pages. Such a fun memory!
Thanks, Marci. Nice that we all had Robert Louis Stevenson in common!
Kids' poetry is so much fun for me to read and to write--this book sounds amazing! Thank you for the peeks into the poetry--it inspires me to try again.
Yes, Danielle. Charles' poetry IS inspirational! Your name is in the hat. thanks.
This looks wonderful! I think it would be a great addition to any poetry collection!
You would LOVE it Tiffany. Since you're a librarian--I'm putting your name in twice!
Charles' beautiful new treasury is edged in the silvery moon, and moves to its beginning in the tree house. The love of poetry begins there, at home. The journey, the choices of headings for the table of contents, all so unique. This volume is a step away from tradition, creating its own. It is a journey, just reading through the table of contents and the titles therein.
Sara Brezzi's illustrations are a perfect compliment. I know I breathed a little easier just holding the book in my hands. And then, the opening. The flight through poetry from Home to the subtle invitations to enter in, to write one's own poems. What a gift! What a book!
Linda Trott Dickman, BSE, MLS MFA
Linda--what a beautiful review of Charles' book! Thank you for your comment.
What a GREAT post! I'd love to add Charles' book to my poetry shelf. And yes, to the Land of Counterpane. I included that poem in an anthology I had to create in fourth grade as a poetry project.
Thank you, Carol and Linda, for your exquisite reviews of The Treasury! And to all who added their kind comments here about the book. I'm so pleased to hear that it also serves as an inspiration for your own poetry! You all have inspired me too! I am working right now on Vol II! ;-)
Another Robert Louis Stevenson fan! Into the hat your name goes!
That is so cool, Charles!
This book looks and sounds gorgeous! Thank you for featuring it, Carol!
You are welcome, Jilanne! Thanks for leaving a comment.
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