Reading Corner: Silver Seeds

Silver Seeds by Paul Paolilli and Dan Brewer.

Silver seeds
Tossed in the air
And planted in the sky,
Reaching out of the darkness,
Sprouting wonder.

"Is the night sky really filled with stars, or are they silver seeds?" (from the inside jacket) This book of nature poems could be an excellent example to use when teaching about acrostic poetry. Each spread is a beautifully illustrated acrostic about everyday things in nature.

Reading Corner: Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts

Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts by Anna Grossnickle-Hines. This book is exquisite! The tongue-tickling poems about enjoying the seasons are accompanied by breath-takingly beautiful quilt illustrations.

Reading Corner: Paul Revere's Ride

Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, illustrated by Ted Rand is a classic.

"Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere . . .

"So begins one of the most stirring poems in American literature, brought vividly to life. . . Ted Rand's moonlit vision captures the swift, rhythmic gait of Longfellow's words and the drama of Revere's brave ride as he gallops from town to farm, sounding the call to rise and arm against the British. . . . The mixture of history, art, and poetry results in a book as gorgeous to behold as its message is inspiring to all who love freedom" (from the inside jacket).

Reading Corner: Nature's Paintbox

Nature's Paintbox: A Seasonal Gallery of Art and Verse by Patricia Thomas, illustrated by Craig Orback is a new favorite of mine.

"How would you capture winter's crispness, spring's softness, summer's freshness, and autumn's richness? In this inspiring picture book, poet Patricia Thomas imagines each season rendered in a different art medium. Pen and ink, with spots of color, capture winter's mood, while pastel chalks make spring flowers bloom into life. The see-through hues of watercolors celebrate summer's warmth, while vibrant oils perfectly pain fall's majestic scenes. Artist Craig Orback takes up the poem's challenge in his marvelous illustrations, using each of the mediums described. Just as the seasons move seamlessly into one another, so too do the art styles blend together, then emerge in full splendor, and blend again as the next season approaches" (from the inside jacket).

Reading Corner: My Shadow

My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson illustrated by Ted Rand is one of my favorite picture books from my elementary school days. With its playful rhymes and vivid word pictures, Stevenson’s poetry is enchanting to young listeners and readers. Accompanied by Ted Rand’s vibrant water-color illustrations depicting children in various settings all over the world, this picture book is a delightful experience. This book could be used in science as an introduction to a lesson on light and shadow. It could also be used in a social studies unit celebrating differences and similarities between children from different cultures.