Synopses & Reviews
What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms, and Blessingsand#160;isand#160;aand#160;collection of poems to provide comfort, courage, and humor at difficult or daunting momentsand#160;in life.and#160;It conjures forth laments, spells, invocations, chants, blessings, promises, songs, and charms. Here are pleas on how to repair a friendship, wishes to transform oneand#8217;s life or to slow down time, charms to face the shame of a disapproving crowd, invocations to ask for forgiveness, to understand the mysteries of happiness, and to bravely face a dark andand#160;different world. These words help us remember or grieve; they bolster courage and guard against evil; they help us celebrate and give thanks. This elegant giftand#160;book also includes a red ribbon for readers to mark their favorite poems. Poet extraordinaire Joyce Sidman won the Newbery Honor Medal for Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night and continues to write poetry for children that has been called "fresh," "inspiring," and "accessible" to her young audience. She is intrigued by the idea of "words of power"and#8212;chants and charms that were once believed to have real influence in everyday life. Caldecott Honor-winning Pamela Zagarenski's beautiful art capturesand#160;a world ofand#160;emotion and the essence of Sidman's words.
Review
"Poems of bravery, love, heartbreak, justice, and peace unite to offer readers of all ages solace, inspiration, and strength."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
"Poems of bravery, love, heartbreak, justice, and peace unite to offer readers of all ages solace, inspiration, and strength."
and#8212;Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Profound, lushly illustrated poems explore some of life's more trying moments. . . . A winning combination of word and image sure to challenge readers both to contemplate big subjects and to act."
and#8212;Kirkus, starred review
"An evocative book that pulls readers to a special place--their hearts."
and#8212;Booklist, starred review
"Readers just edging toward adult poetry and those filling their notebooks with their own lyrics will find this elegant little title perfect for poetic dreams."
and#8212;The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Poetry fans will savor the wordplay and whimsy, as teachers appreciate both its craft and wide appeal. Poetry fans will savor the wordplay and whimsy, as teachers appreciate both its craft and wide appeal."
and#8212;School Library Journal
"Each poem speaks directly from Sidman's heart to the reader's, addressing subjects of deep importance . . . Zagarenski's illustrations beautifully extend the poems with her dreamy style and deft use of white space, symbolism, and images from Sidman's text."
and#8212;The Horn Book Magazine, starred review
Review
and#8220;and#8230;this tender and eloquent volume is a canophileand#8217;s paradise and tribute, inviting dog lovers to roll in it with the same luxurious glee with which their pets would greet long- dead carrion.and#8221; The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred
and#8220;The teen essays are heartfelt and honest, telling of the close relationships many young adults have with their pets. Readers of all ages who appreciate their canine companions will thoroughly enjoy this slim book.and#8221; VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
and#8220;Blackand#8211;andand#8211;white photos of a variety of dogs taken by Doug Mindell lend the book immediacy and charm, their slightly blurred edges like the boundaries of memory.and#8221; Riverbank Review
Many readers will chuckle or sigh in empathy, and some may well be inspired to express their own thought about the world of dog in writing or pictures.and#8221; School Library Journal
and#8220;Dog lovers will likely lap it up eagerly, budding writers will snuffle it with interest, and teens who combine the tow tendencies might even roll ecstatically.and#8221; Kirkus Reviews
and#8220;Along with the handsome, spacious book design (two-color type treatments, coated white paper), these stylish photos deepen the reverential tone.and#8221; Publishers Weekly
Review
A 2010 Caldecott Honor Book
andquot;It's wonderfully strange to read of colors with sounds, smells and tastes.andquot;--New York Times Book Review
andquot;A charming inspiration to notice colors and correlate emotionsandquot;--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
andquot;This book has a freshness and visual impact all its own, and it will inspire a rainbow of uses.andquot;--The Bulletin, starred review
andquot;Sustaining the playfulness of the text and its sense of awe, mystery, and beauty, the illustrations contribute gracefully to the celebration.andquot;--Horn Book, starred review
andquot;As the title implies, the colors that surprise on every page, do sing.andquot;--Booklist, starred review
Review
Packed with the intensity of everyday pain and sorrow, kids and adults exchange the words that convey grief, delight, love and acceptance of themselves and others.
Kirkus Reviews
The poems successfully navigate the complicated terrain for those who seek forgiveness.
Publishers Weekly
"Sidman's collection could help young poets express themselves and learn from their mistakes." Book Links January 2008 Book Links, ALA
"Delicate, mixed-media illustrations...add touches of whimsy and wit to these delightful missives." SLJ December 2007 School Library Journal
Review
"It's typically said of picture books that art and text are inseparable, but the truth of that has rarely been more evident than it is in this introduction to concrete poetry."and#151;Booklist, starred review Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
"Looking for the poetry hidden in the visual imagery is the most obvious appeal of this beautiful, innovative book; other pleasures include the splendid flood of onomatopoeia and the stunning design." --Horn Book Horn Book
"Using concrete poetry as a vehicle, Sidman relates a simple story. The verse is compressed and arranged to create elements of the artwork." School Library Journal
Review
What consistently comes through is both the author's and artist's exuberance for their subject.
Publishers Weekly
Review
"An exuberant celebration of wordplay that's certain to broaden kids' understanding and appreciation of the possibilities of poetry." KIRKUS Kirkus Reviews
"combines technical brilliance and goofy good humor to provide an accessible, fun-filled collection of poems...brilliant book design" Starred, SLJ School Library Journal, Starred
"graphically inventive sequence of concrete poems...mimes an 11-year-old's sarcastic perspective...A technically (and imaginatively) inspired typeface experiement." PW Publishers Weekly
"humorous...kid-relevant or kid-voiced...well-pitched to a youthful readership...playful layouts...a quick, funny, and painlessly poetic read." BCCB Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Youth will fall for this kind of word play, as will adults...smart, clever, and just plain fun." VOYA VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
Review
and#147;In this strikingly illustrated collection, science facts combine with vivid poems about pond life through the seasons." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
"With its unique combination of fact and fancy, this book is bound to delight pint-sized scientists and environmentalists and#151;and language lovers, too." Publishers Weekly, Starred
"An organic union of poetry and science, this book encourages readers to ponder the minutiae and magnificent life of the natural world." School Library Journal, Starred
"Sidman and Prange go beyond accuracy and clarity; with a humor born of skillful observation and light and color worthy of the Impressionists, they capture the essence of this environment in all its fascinating particularity." Horn Book
Review
"Readers facing this upstream swim [or] toweling themselves off afterwards will find much they relate to in this engaging volume." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred
"Kristine O'Connell George can do more with a small handful of words than most any poet around." --Riverbank Review Riverbank Review
"...mysteries of lockers and uncontrolled giggling are plumbed...rapture of the boy you like liking you...Sweet and on key." BOOKLIST Booklist, ALA
Review
"Allen's detailed yet moody prints encapsulate the mysteries and magic of the midnight hours. In Sidman's delicious poems, darkness is the norm, and there's nothing to fear but the rising sun."and#8212;Publishers Weekly, starred review
"This is a fine collection for classroom use at any time, but it'll bring extra impact to those who can find a way to share it at dusk with the lights dimmed, watching through the windows as the nocturnal ballet begins outside."and#8212;The Bulletin, starred review
"This picture book combines lyrical poetry and compelling art with science concepts."and#8212;Booklist, starred review
"The dark lines of Allen's skillful lino cut prints make the perfect accompaniment to a book of night poems, with their subtle colors allowing the reader to seek out the creatures slowly, just as one's eye becomes accustomed to finding things in the dark."and#8212;The Horn Book, starred review
"The bookmaking is beautiful with the concept of night lending itself generously to poetry. "and#8212;School Library Journal
Synopsis
A one-of-a-kindand#160;poetry gift book of hope, wisdom, and power from Newbery Honor-winning poetand#160;extraordinaire Joyce Sidman and Caldecott Honor-winning artist Pamela Zagarenski. and#160;
Synopsis
What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms, and Blessings is a collection of poems to provide comfort, courage, and humor at difficult or daunting moments in life. It conjures forth laments, spells, invocations, chants, blessings, promises, songs, and charms. Here are pleas on how to repair a friendship, wishes to transform one's life or to slow down time, charms to face the shame of a disapproving crowd, invocations to ask for forgiveness, to understand the mysteries of happiness, and to bravely face a dark and different world. These words help us remember or grieve; they bolster courage and guard against evil; they help us celebrate and give thanks. This elegant gift book also includes a red ribbon for readers to mark their favorite poems.
Poet extraordinaire Joyce Sidman won the Newbery Honor Medal for Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night and continues to write poetry for children that has been called "fresh," "inspiring," and "accessible" to her young audience. She is intrigued by the idea of "words of power"--chants and charms that were once believed to have real influence in everyday life. Caldecott Honor-winning Pamela Zagarenski's beautiful art captures a world of emotion and the essence of Sidman's words.
Synopsis
and#147;Illustrated with striking, blurred black-and-white photos, this collection muses on canine wisdom and charm.and#8221;and#151;Booklist and#147;Dog lovers will likely lap it up eagerly, budding writers will snuffle it with interest, and teens who combine the two tendencies might even roll ecstatically.and#8221; and#151;Kirkus Reviews
Funny, comforting, and surprising, the words in this book explore our lives with dogs: dogs who befriend us, and dogs who annoy, perplex, and accept us. Teens speak for themselves in honest and forthright essays, and Joyce Sidmanand#8217;s insightful poems further express the bond between dog and teen.
Synopsis
With original and spot-on perceptions, Joyce Sidman's poetry brings the colors of the seasons to life in a fresh light, combining the senses of sight, sound, smell and taste. In this Caldecott Honor book, illustrator Pam Zagarenski's interpretations go beyond the concrete, allowing us to not just see color, but feel it.
Synopsis
Funny, comforting, surprising, the words in this book explore our lives with dogs: dogs who befriend us; dogs who annoy, perplex, and accept us. Teens speak for themselves in honest and forthright essays while Joyce Sidmanand#8217;s insightful poems further express the bond between dog and teen: how days of crowded hallways, pointless assignments, and blinding crushes are brought to balance by our dogs. For as Doug Mindelland#8217;s winning photographs confirm, at the end of the day, waiting at home, there is always Dogand#151;full of hope and companionship.
Synopsis
When Mrs. Merz asks her sixth grade class to write poems of apology, they end up liking their poems so much that they decide to put them together into a book. Not only that, but they get the people to whom they apologized to write poems back.
In haiku, pantoums, two-part poems, snippets, and rhymes, Mrs. Merzand#8217;s class writes of crushes, overbearing parents, loving and losing pets, and more. Some poets are deeply sorry; some not at all. Some are forgiven; some are not. In each pair of poems a relationship, a connection, is revealed.
Synopsis
On a clear, sunny day, a small adventure begins. First, a dog slips joyfully out of his house. Next a car pulls up to the curb, leaving a white cat alone. Then, slowly, a storm begins to brew over the park.
Watch as an unlikely friendship takes shape in this one-of-a-kind book that combines story, art, and delightful concrete poetry.
Synopsis
From as little as the snail to as big as the giraffe, from the thundering mastodon of long ago to the ordinary backyard squirrel of today, the animals in this book inspire our imagination.
Here is a fascinating cornucopia that exudes a whimsical affection and respect for the creatures with whom we share our kingdom.
Synopsis
An eleven-year-old boy named Robert voices typicaland not so typicalmiddle-grade concerns in this unique, memorable collection of hilarious poems. His musings cover the usual stuff, like pizza, homework, thank-you notes, and his annoying older sister. In addition, he speculates about professional wrestling for animals, wonders why no one makes scratch-and-sniff fart stickers, designs the ultimate roller coaster (complete with poisonous spiders), and deconstructs the origins of a new word, snarpy. A playful layout and ingenious graphics extend the wry humor that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.
Synopsis
From springand#8217;s first thaw to autumnand#8217;s chill, the world of the pond is a dramatic place. Though seemingly quiet, ponds are teeming with life and full of surprises. Their denizensand#8212;from peepers to painted turtles, duckweed to diving beetlesand#8212;lead secret and fascinating lives. A unique blend of whimsy, science, poetry, and hand-colored woodcuts, this Caldecottand#160;Honor-winningand#160;collection invites us to take a closer look at our hidden ponds and wetlands. Here is a celebration of their beauty and their mystery.
Synopsis
Award-winning poet Kristine OConnell George, author of several successful picture books, now turns her attention to the middle school experience. The first year brings an array of challenges: making new friends, moving from class to class, tests and homework, changing for PE, gossip, school dances, and, of course, budding romance. Short, accessible poems in a variety of forms, but all in a single voicethat of a new middle schoolerevoke the memorable moments of the school year, exploring situations and emotions that will resonate with preteens. Lively illustrations complement this perceptive, humorous, poignant record of an important transitional year.
Synopsis
A 2011 Newbery Honor Book
and#160; Come feel the cool and shadowed breeze,
come smell your way among the trees,
come touch rough bark and leathered leaves:
Welcome to the night.
Welcome to the night, where mice stir and furry moths flutter. Where snails spiral into shells as orb spiders circle in silk. Where the roots of oak trees recover and repair from their time in the light. Where the porcupette eats delicaciesand#8212;raspberry leaves!and#8212;and coos and sings.
Come out to the cool, night wood, and buzz and hoot and howland#8212;but do beware of the great horned owland#8212;for itand#8217;s wild and itand#8217;s windy way out in the woods!
This Newbery Honor-winning picture book combines beautifully written poetry with facts of the forest and elaborate illustrations to form a marvelously engaging collection.
About the Author
John Grandits is an award-winning book and magazine designer and the author of "Beatrice Black Bear," a monthly cartoon for Click magazine. He lives in Red Bank, N.J., with his wife, Joanne, a children's librarian, and Gilbert, an evil cat. His first book of concrete poetry, Technically, It's Not My Fault, followed the adventures of a boy named Robert, who was often in conflict with his older sister, Jessie. Blue Lipstick gives Jessie a chance to tell her side of the story.