Postcards

Children’s rhymes from twenty-two different countries are presented in this unique contribution to international children’s literature. The rhymes are written in the original language (including Chinese, norwegian, Hindi, Shona, Arabic, and Danish) as well as in English. Included are chants, bits of longer poems and ballads, and short rhymes about themes important to young children such as eating, sleeping, singing, playing, and exploring the natural world. Clearly evident in all the selections are the strong rhythms and satisfying refrains of these poems. Mique Moriuchi has used richly textured paint and collage techniques to create the double-spread backgrounds. The animals and natural settings are brightly portrayed and invite close inspection. While it is understood that such an undertaking can only include some of the world’s languages, I found it quite disappointing there was not an entry from a Spanish-speaking country, especially when one considers the huge number of Spanish speakers in the world.

Jeffrey Brewster

Danielle Wright, collector.

My Village: Rhymes from Around the World

Illus. Mique Moriuchi

Wellington, New Zealand: Gecko Press, 2008. London: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2010.
53 pp. ISBN: 9781847800862
(poetry collection, 4 – 10)

Readers young and old will find much to admire in this strikingly beautiful book that combines fine art, poetry, musical score, and history. Folk singer Lightfoot’ s song eloquently de scribes the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, “An iron road runnin’ from the sea to the sea.“ “Canadian Railroad Trilogy,” commissioned by t he CBC in 1967 for Canada ’s centennial year, is a node to Canada’ s natural beauty, a passion ate report of a technological feat that changed the country, and a celebration of those who toiled and sacrificed to make the railroad possible. Modeled on another song, “Civil War Trilogy” by Bob Gibson, the book includes the music and the lyrics, notes on the magnificent pastel drawings by award- winning artist Ian Wallace, a brie f history of t he railroad, and suggestions for further reading. Lightfoot, Canada ’ s most famous folksinger, son g writer, and guitarist is, among other honors, a member of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Glenna Sloan

Gordon Lightfoot

Canadian Railroad Trilogy

Illus. Ian Wallace

Toronto, Canada: Groundwood, 2010.
56 pp. ISBN: 9780888999535
(picture book, all ages)

Time in all its varied shapes and forms is the theme of this collection of poetry. The days of the week go on holiday, the months of the year are personified, and the uniqueness of each season is wittily described. How does time feel when you are waiting for someone special? For norac, waiting can feel so long that “a toad can turn into a prince three times over” and “the millipedes have time to tie their shoes.” For children, time takes on new meaning when on a holiday. Routines are broken and fantasies explored. norac effectively uses rhythm to de scribe the se occasions, such as when imitating the bouncing of a ball or the excitement of a Carnival celebration. The colored pencil illustrations add much to the surreal imagery of the language. Crowther’s subdued tones come alive with expressive eyes and insects conversing. Some poems even come with delightful instructions, such as “to be recited under the sun with a chorus of insects” or “to be whispered at bedtime on a snowy night.” Here are forty poems to be read over time and time again.

Michelle Gonzalez

Carl Norac

Petits poèmes pour passer le temps (Short Poems to Pass the Time)

Illus. Kitty Crowther

Paris, France: Didier Jeunesse, 2008.
57pp. ISBN: 978-2-278-06183-9
(poetry, 6 and up)

Philosophical, playful, funny, and melancholy – that’s how you could describe the poems of Hans Christian Andersen Awardwinning author Jurg Schubiger. The verses in It’s the Wind’s Birthday are both light-hearted and meaningful. They often veer off the road to make readers pause, smile, ponder, and then read the poem a second, third, or even fourth time. Both children and adults can easily identify...