Guyku by Bob Raczka and Peter H. Reynolds

Boys+Haiku=Guyku

My two boys love GUYKU: A Year of Haiku for Boys  by Bob Raczka and illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds, so I thought I would share it with you this week. I think it would be a great book for a school library or to share with your own little dudes (or dudettes!).

Published by Houghton Mifflin (2010), Guyku is a nicely composed picture book of 24 haiku poems, with 6 haiku each being devoted to each season of the year.

As Raczka observes, haiku is a poetic form which lends itself well to boys as they involve observations of nature, they are short, and they take place in the present. Illustrator Peter H. Reynolds adds that the ‘invitation for boys to swim in the poem pond needs to be issued more often and more loudly.”

Selection:

If this puddle could

talk, I think it would tell me

to splash my sister.

Why we love it:

1) These haikus capture well the world of my boys; kite-flying, fishing, splashing in puddles, biking, bugs, stargazing, skipping rocks, wild beasts, leaf piles, the list goes on…

2) Illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds are whimsical and playful, a perfect pairing for Racza’s haiku.

3) I took my son kite flying, and he randomly quoted from one of the haiku :

The wind and I play

tug-of-war with my new kite

The wind is winning.

4) I love poetry as it encourages creativity with language use and involves a keen observation of the world around us-kudos to Bob Racza and Peter H. Reynolds for creating a delightful book and for writing poems that appeal to boys’ imagination.

Resources for educators: the Guyku website is full of downloadable resources and ideas for generating your own haiku.

Gulf Islands Alphabet by Bronwyn Preece

I first travelled past the Gulf Islands on a BC Ferry as a mere tot, 18 months old, sailing through Active Pass on the way to Vancouver Island. Now I’ve had the pleasure of taking my two boys on the same sailing, and they are both just as captivated by the wild beauty of the Gulf Islands as I am.

Even though I’ve been on those ferries probably a hundred times, travelling past (and throughout) the Gulf Islands still takes my breath away…I think anyone who ever visits never truly wants to leave.

Today I am reviewing the lovely picture book, Gulf Islands Alphabet (Simply Read Books 2012), written by Bronwyn Preece with illustrations by Alex Walton.

Opening: “Around,

Amongst

And Amidst the Gulf Islands of

Amazing British Columbia, we…

Arrive through Active Pass, sighting

Anchors being set by sailors,

As we Admire

Arbutus Trees

And Anemones Along…”

Why we love it:

1) My boys love seeing familiar places in the stories that they read, and even though this is regionally specific, it would be a good addition to any Canadian library or as a keepsake for people who visit this area.

2) The illustrations are great…my boys like pointing out all of the wildlife in the pictures and the text also serves to expand their vocabulary and understanding of the geographic and natural environment (e.g.”orcas and octopi, oysters and otters”)

3) I personally think there are far too many boring and mundane alphabet books out there that dumb down language and are not challenging enough for children. I appreciate how the writer does not restrict herself to using nouns to demonstrate letters of the alphabet, but also uses descriptive adjectives, verbs, adverbs, etc.

4)It’s lyrical, beautifully illustrated, and the ‘alphabet book’ is also a Gulf Islands narrative…one that flows through each letter of the alphabet.

illustration by alex walton

I love to tell the story

Over these last few months I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reading about stories. It seems there is quite a bit of chatter about stories and storytelling in both academic and social circles and how important they are..how they inform our lives, our identity.

Just think of all the stories that have influenced your life.

Your birth story.

The story of your family. Your ancestors.

The stories of race and gender and ability.

The stories that you learned in school.

The stories of the age in which you live.

The stories of the songs you listen to.

The stories of the earth and your environment.

The stories that are a part of the community you live in, the country that you make home.

The stories of your close circle of friends.

The stories of random strangers you meet.

The stories of your teen years.

The stories your parents and grandparents tell you.

The stories ‘religion’ tells you.

The stories of your workaday life.

The stories you hear from the media.

The stories that you have read or others have read to you.

The stories that your culture screams at you.

The stories of history. Of your government.

The stories of your peers and your elders.

The stories that you tell.

The stories that you don’t tell.

The stories people tell about you.

Yet so many of the stories that influence us, shape us, and in a way, create us, are not complete. Or they are ugly. Or painful. Or untrue. Or unfair. Or hopeless. Or dark.

I have come to realize that we have a tendency to believe stories people tell about us or that we tell about ourselves even if they are untrue. Even if they are damaging.We hold them closely whether we know it or not.

I used to believe the stories that I was responsible for someone’s death in a horrific car accident. That the people who called me a loser in high school might be right. That God didn’t like me or that he had it out for me. That I would never be ‘good enough’ to please Him.

Oh wait. Actually, that last one? That’s actually a story that’s true. I will never be able to be ‘good enough’ to please Him. That is the ugly yet profound truth. NEVER. Not on my own.

(for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God)

BUT. There is this story I heard. When I was about 7 or 8. Good news is what they called it, and it’s true, it is good news…I’ll never forget it and it’s a story that changed my life. That’s still changing my life.

A Story to end all stories. Or rather, begin.

One in which God himself wrote.

One of new life, a new identity, a new story, one of forgiveness and redemption, joy unspeakable…a life where I don’t have to strive, where I am forgiven

every day,

and even though I stumble, though I am not perfect, though I still struggle with sin and doubts and fears, though there is still pain and suffering and heartache,

He accepts me. Just as I am. With what little faith I have.

And He loves me. Not because of anything I have done to earn it, but because of who He is and what He has done.

And He invites me (and you) to share in his Story. To live it. Life to the full.

He is a Redeemer of stories. And His Story is one I want with me till the day I die.

Cuz guess what? It doesn’t end there. It’s neverending. And I’ve never heard of a story like that before.

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin and James Dean

Did I just hear a Christmas song on the radio? It’s only November 16th!

I suppose I’ll join in the madness and review a holiday-themed book that both my boys love: Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin and James Dean (HarperCollins, 2012).

Opening: ’Twas the day before Christmas and Santa was ill.
In the cold winter wind he had caught a bad chill.
Will Christmas be canceled? Will it come to that?
“Never!” cried Santa.
“Let’s call Pete the Cat!”

Synopsis (from jacketflap): In this rockin’ new spin on the traditional tale The Night Before Christmas, Pete the Cat proves that giving your all in the spirit of Christmas is the totally groovy thing to do.

Theme/Genre: Holiday, Giving; Fiction

Suitable for: ages 3+

Why we like it: My boys ages 4 and 2 love Pete the Cat and this book is no exception…my oldest is already singing the catchy song! Last year, he also got to see “Mr. Eric” at a live performance here in Vancouver and loved it…his first ever live show.

I like how the central theme of this book is giving. “I’ll do it,” said Pete, “and although I am small, at Christmas we give, so I’ll give it my all.” As we read this book, my son asked, “What is giving your all?” I realize it’s a bit of an an abstract concept for preschoolers, but it led to a ‘teachable moment’ as they say, in which we talked about giving to others, doing our best, etc.

Resources: HarperCollins website has a downloadable activity kit which you could print out for students. The story and song are also free to download or stream here. Other ideas that come to my mind can be drawing a picture around the theme of “Though I am small, I can give it my all”. Also I think learning the song as a class would be oh.so.cute. You could record students’ voices reading the story on an iPad, and then grab a guitar and teach them the song! The kids at T.E. Scott where my husband teaches did just that! Check out their awesome video:

And here’s a little preview of the book from HarperCollins:

Have you been hearing Christmas carols where you live?!

On Pitches and Writer’s Itches

This summer I had the opportunity to throw out a first pitch at a baseball game!

It was tons of fun, and though I was nervous, according to my dad I threw a perfect pitch…I had practised all week with him, bought a brand new ball from Canadian Tire, and had visions of “A League Of Their Own” dancing through my head.

I had always dreamed of being a major league baseball player, but where I lived, as much to my knowledge, softball was for girls, baseball was for boys. I didn’t know any girls who played baseball, and even though I longed to play baseball and learn to be a pitcher, I never looked into it. I think things have changed in that regard, but it was still a dream come true for me to stand on the mound!

This summer I also sent out my ‘first pitch’ to some publishing houses, and let’s just say, it was no strike out. I am disappointed with my ability to pitch stories that I think children would love, but I’ll keep trying and see what happens.

I’ve also been experiencing ‘writer’s itch’, which is kind of the opposite of writer’s block. Stories and poems are bursting to come out. I continue to send manuscripts to various magazines for children, as that has been where my initial acceptances have been. If you are interested in writing for children’s magazines, I suggest checking out Evelyn Christensen’s e-zine. It has loads of information and overviews of magazines which I’ve found very helpful.

Hope you are all enjoying this Labour Day. Here on the west coast the sun is still shining, though a bit of a nip in the air, my garden is in its last stages of bloom, and I’m gearing up for my first ever parent/teacher meeting tomorrow! A new season, indeed. September always feels like the beginning of a new year to me, more so than in January. Rest well. Begin well.

I’ll sign off by sharing a quote by someone I “follow”:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Larf by Ashley Spires

You know how lots of preschoolers have a kind of love/hate relationship with monsters? Well, mine is one of them…he’s even a little hesitant about monster trucks actually. Anyways, his newest favourite book is about a monster of sorts, a sasquatch named Larf.

Larf, written and illustrated by Ashley Spires, and published by Kids Can Press(2012), is one we have read over and over and over again, so I thought it would be a good one to share with you!

Opening: “Have you ever felt like nobody knows you even exist? That’s exactly how Larf feels. And he likes it that way. Larf is a sasquatch. The only sasquatch it seems. He lives a quiet life in the woods with his bunny, Eric.”

Larf is a quiet, gentle soul, who fills his days with happy, though solitary, pursuits. When he reads an article in the paper about a sasquatch appearance, he realizes that there may indeed be another sasquatch in the world, and concludes that this could perhaps be a good thing; teeter-tottering could now be possible and he would have someone to share his “witty commentary on cheesy movies” with. Despite generally avoiding loud crowds and traveling, Larf ventures to the busy city of Hunderfitz, albeit in camouflage as a somewhat large and hairy human. Though faced with second thoughts and initial disappointment, Larf’s going outside his comfort zone to meet someone like himself is eventually rewarded.

Why we “larf” it: 1) My oldest son, who is also the quiet solitary type, is fascinated by Larf. At an age when his friendships are just beginning to blossom, I think he relates in some way to Larf, and particularly enjoys the part of the story when Larf finds a friend.

2) Larf is a friendly monster. This is good.

3) The story is fun and the illustrations are infused with subtle humour, which makes the repeat readings fresh.

Ashley Spires is a talented writer and illustrator, and I look forward to reading and perhaps reviewing some of her other books.

Were you ever scared of monsters as a kid?

Once Upon a Time…

“Once Upon a Time” filming in Steveston, B.C.

…I visited our little village of Steveston, B.C. and was transported to Storybrooke, Maine. It was delightful and enchanting.

The Cannery Café, where I’ve met friends for lunch, had become Granny’s Diner.

The toy shop, Splash, where I often buy presents for myself my kids, had become Neighbour’s Five and Dime.

And Romania Country Bread, the place where I long to challenge the owner to a game of chess, had become Storybrooke Country Bread.

As I happily went my merry way, envisioning myself in all my Snow White glory, I was taken aback by the scene that had unfolded before me. Something disastrous had happened here.

I fretted, and wondered what would happen to our beloved Storybrooke? What would happen to me?

And then, just as I was about to text Pinocchio… I saw him.

“Prince Charming” Josh Dallas (July 25, 2012)

Prince Charming. Running to my rescue.

There were others standing around…looking as if it was all “for some TV show”, but I knew the truth. Prince Charming was there to save my day and he gave me a smile while doing it. Ok, maybe he gave her a smile, but let’s just say it was for me.

Photos © G. Poon 2012