Poetry Friday: Firefly July

I saw the buzz and eagerly awaited getting a copy of Firefly July, a Year of Very Short Poems. It's as beautiful as it is touted! How lovely to assist a young reader to understand poetry with Melissa Sweet's images. The combination is lovely. From William Carlos Williams and Emily Dickinson to Ralph Fletcher and April Halprin Wayland. Thanks for the collection Paul Janeczko!

In Passing

Open-backed dumpy junktruck
stacked full of old floor-fans,
unplugged, unsteady, undone,
free-whirling like kids' pinwheels
in a last fresh breeze--
What a way to go!

Gerald Jonas

Firefly July, A Year of Very Short Poems
selected by Paul B. Janeczko
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Candlewick Press, 2014

Big Kid Pick: Little Red Writing

I'm psyched about our Big Kid Pick this month! It's our own Joan Holub's Little Red Writing. Paired with Melissa Sweet's illustrations, this picture book is winning acclaim for it's smart text and awesome imagery:

* School Library Journal, starred review
* Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* Publishers Weekly, starred review
* Richie’s Pick

Joan dedicated this treasure to me and my daughters, Emily and Ellen, as we all read the work in first draft and encouraged Little Red on her way. Thank you, Joan!

Here's a bit about the work and pertinent links. Write on!

Little Red Writing
Readertotz co-founder Joan Holub and Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet team up in this hilarious and exuberant picture book retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, in which a brave, little red pencil finds her way through the many perils of writing a story, faces a ravenous pencil sharpener (the Wolf 3000)... and saves the day.

Joan Holub has hundreds of pencils. Some are red. Others are glittery, sporty, or full of holiday cheer. They are all super sharp and good at writing books. They’ve helped Joan write more than 130 books, including Zero the Hero and Knuckleheads. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Melissa Sweet has illustrated nearly 100 children’s books, including the Caldecott Honor–winning River of Words and the Sibert Medal–winning Balloons Over Broadway. When not in her studio, Melissa loves to ride her bicycle and hike with her two dogs, Rufus and Nellie. She lives in Rockport, Maine.

Little Red Writing
by Joan Holub 
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Chronicle Books, September 2013
Click for Teaching Guide

David Martin and Melissa Sweet: Christmas Tree

This board book is adorable. A small manageable size, nice and sturdy, 26 pages. It goes through various items used in real life, then we see the smaller versions of these as ornaments that go on a holiday tree--star, ball, sled. A nice combo of a holiday book that teaches basic words.

I'm a huge fan of Melissa Sweet's work! Very cute!

A Christmas Tree
David Martin, author
Melissa Sweet, illustrator
Candlewick Press, 2009

David Martin and Melissa Sweet: Hanukkah Lights

This sturdy board book mentions many of the components of Hanukkah and serves as a good intro to the holiday for totz. It's 5.25 x 5.25 inches square, 26 pages, self-cover--just the right size for small hands to join in the celebration or learn about a new holiday!

Hanukkah candles,
shinging bright.
One more candle
every night.

As I mentioned last month, I'm a huge fan of Melissa Sweet's work!

Hanukkah Lights
David Martin, author
Melissa Sweet, illustrator
Candlewick Press, 2009

It's Spring!: Samantha Berger and Pamela Chanko

After reading Lorie Ann's blog last Monday about Jill Ackerman's board book Welcome Spring, I looked on my shelf for other favorite toddler books about spring. It's Spring! is a different spin on the same subject matter.

In April the robin began to sing
to tell the rabbit it was spring.
The rabbit hopped and thumped his feet
to tell the deer the air smelled sweet.

There's something about this story that makes me happy when I read it. It's bouncy without being choppy or forced. I truly experience the delight of a host of animals, who can hardly wait to spread the news of all the signs they've seen that spring has indeed arrived.

And the art is so sweet--Melissa Sweet, that is. I've enjoyed Melissa's illustration since the Pinky and Rex early chapter books.

Note that this book was reprinted in paperback with a different cover, as a Cartwheel early reader.

It's Spring!
by Samantha Berger and Pamela Chanko
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Scholastic, Cartwheel Books, 2003

~ Joan Holub