It's long overdue that I share this marvelous "almost new" poetry book by Michelle Schaub, illustrated by Carmen Saldaña. It was out in September! First, I pre-ordered it because I loved Michelle's earlier collection, Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day At The Farmer's Market. Then I won an autographed copy from Matt Essenwine's post, lucky me! So that was for my granddaughters! Then! I was sent a copy from Charlesbridge! FYI - I gave one to my granddaughters' school! I imagine most of you have read this new "treasure" of a book, but if not, be sure to find it!
This young girl hears from her teacher; the class must prepare to bring in a 'collection' to share. But, and it seems to be a big "but", she has a "Collection Conundrum", no "random items. . . share a common thread". Although she hasn't found that "thread", Michelle carries the story into a poetic collection thread as the girl examines friends, family, and neighbors to learn of their own collections. The family shows a button collection, trains and snow globes, where Sissy says: "When confetti settles like sprinkles on a cake,/time to make it snow again–/Just tip and.../Shake! Shake! Shake!" Nothing seems to connect as she travels on to a friend who collects black and white animal figurines ("and in a spot of honor–skunks,/her current fascination"), a neighbor is proud of all his birdhouses ("Merrily from each tree,/legions of homes swing free"), and bringing one to me, too, the mailman ("because, across the well-worn miles, he's energized by saved-up smiles".) You may know already that after much tantalizing research, the conclusion is the best! She chooses especially, "gathered up inside this book: my favorite.../POETRY!"
In the end, Michelle has added a few tips for starting a collection. Carmen's vivid, colorful illustrations delight with the inclusion of many kinds of things treasured by so many kinds of people.
Do I collect? Yes, and sometimes it can be a little over-the-top. I collect intriguing things from my walks in nature, old pieces of wood, rocks, seeds and nuts. I've collected star cookie cutters for a long time, believe I have them all. At least when I visit antique stores and look, any found are ones I already have!
My latest is great because it is rare that I find any which makes a discovery sweeter! I collect older (and small) metal animals. Most are memories I've found while traveling. This one of a seagull was found on a trip with students to the Chesapeake Bay.
Thanks to Michelle for your wonderful new poetry book. I hope students have the chance to enjoy it, and, perhaps, start collections, or share those they might already have.
for Michelle
Finding Treasure
creates memories –
piece by piece
Linda B. (c)
Yay! I love your review of Michelle's book. I have NOT read it yet--I'm in the minority I'm sure. But, I aim to asap. I try.....TRY not to collect. But, it's hard, isn't it? When you are a curious person that enjoys finding patterns and odd things and ..... Oh, it's just hard. I could see how very "human" it is TO collect when my children all started to collect things. It tried...TRIED to indulge them. But, really, sticks live outside! LOL. I love the photo of cookie cutters. I have some from my mom and grandmas and they are so very special. Great post today. Full of joy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I love the idea of "sticks" & yes, outside, but there are a few leaning in a corner of my porch from the grand-girls!
DeleteCollecting things is simply -- FUN! I love the hunt and the find... and of course Michelle's conclusion in this book about collecting poetry -- isn't that what we are all doing every single Poetry Friday?? Thank you, Linda, for sharing your stars and your animals and your words with us. So many congratulations to Michelle on another beautiful book! xo
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Irene. I agree that we collect and love it, but on Fridays, I have a special document open to collect those poems! Love going to it and remembering!
DeleteStar cookie cutters are a wonderfully specific collection, Linda! Over the years, I have had a tendency to collect art supplies. You never know when you might want to make something! :-) Trying to do a bit of culling now...
ReplyDeleteI do clean them out on occasion, but you're right, and remember I'm a former teacher. One collects "just in case", right? Thanks, Tabatha!
DeleteThis sounds wonderful and I can't wait to read it. Thank you for sharing it and your own collections. I actually have collected buttons since I was 5 and have an extensive snow globe collection of places visited.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Alex, & Michelle has a 'snow-globe' poem for you! Thanks!
DeleteWonderful post, Linda. I loved seeing your collections (I have a collection of cookie cutters too -- the stranger, the better). I'm looking forward to reading Michelle's book.
ReplyDeleteFun to hear that you have 'strange' cookie cutters, another interesting collection! Thanks, Laura!
DeleteWonderful post, Linda. Love seeing your cookie cutters and metal animals! Does this mean you bake star cookies every year during the holidays? :)
ReplyDeleteYes, those "stars" are our 'go-to' shapes for sugar cookies, Jama. Yum, almost time! Thanks!
DeleteThank you for sharing FINDING TREASURE, Linda, and your own treasured collection of star cookie cutters. They would make a great holiday decoration hung along a mantle. I do hope your granddaughters and their classmates enjoy my poems!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Michelle. I loved reading, then writing about your book. I don't exactly have response from the classroom, but the girls love the book, Michelle, love seeing about the collections. And I love your idea about my cookie cutters, sad to say I don't have a mantle. I'll need to think about another way!
DeleteLinda, now you are added to the list of people who reviewed Michelle's book (which I love). Your ending haiku is a wonderful way to give thanks for Michelle's treasure to all of us. You seem to collect similar things to what I have. I collect artifacts from walks and design them into ornamental decorations for my season displays on my porch or inside my house. My grandmother and mother collected cookie cutters because they used them often so I have a great collection from the 40s on to present day. Have a beautiful weekend.
ReplyDeleteWe would be happy neighbors, I'm sure, Carol. I love hearing about your own cookie cutter collection. I still search, but have not found a 'new' kind of star in a long while. And, I just filled a small bowl with cones and nuts for my dining table! Thanks for sharing that, too.
DeleteNow you've made me want to find a "new" star cookie cutter you don't have. I'll keep my eyes open and text you a pic if I find one. I requested the book - hold #6 on 9 copies. Isn't collecting fun? And how wonderful to have a book for children to celebrate collecting poems!
ReplyDeleteOh, that will be fun to see if you find one, Ramona! Thank you! Yes, it's a marvelous book to have for all ages. I would love to have had it when I was teaching!
DeleteThanks for sharing this new to me book. Your response with "memories, piece by piece" is just right.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret, it is a book you will enjoy with your students, I'm sure!
DeleteYou also appear to be a collector of this book, Linda! Fortunately, it's a good one to collect. :) I love your metal animal collection. I used to be more of a collector than I am now. I think too many moves threw me off my game. I still have a collection of packed moving boxes tucked away from the last move. One day I'll get to them... at least that's what I keep telling myself.
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, of this book for sure, Michelle. I know about those moving boxes, have a few in my basement from my move about 7 years ago. Moves do lessen the collections. I left behind a huge one of all kinds of Santas that we had, kept a couple of favorites. Thanks!
DeleteLovely post Linda! I Iike your "Treasure" filled haiku accompanying Michelle's "Treasure" book. Those metal animals are a good find–it looks like there may be a poem among them… I collect books-too many, art postcards, and pictures that I take–too many of these too, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. I should write a few poems about those animals, some of the favorites! Happy to hear about your collections!
DeleteI have heard of this book, but not yet read it. I collect wine glasses. Most of them are antiques or vintage but I have on occasion, picked up a new one that I loved. I even use them when we have friends over. I fear that I now have so many that I've stopped collecting them. I also have a small collection of frogs that were mostly given to me by others. Treasures are in the eye of the beholder are they not?
ReplyDeleteI adore the idea of this book and must get a copy! I have all sorts of collections: seashells, bird feathers, old bottles. Some are packed away because of our renovation. I can't wait to dig into those boxes and see what treasures I've forgotten!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cheriee and Catherine. I love hearing about your collections, know that if you share the book AND the collections with your students, they will love it, and want to share, too, or start a new "something".
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever book about collections! Thanks for the introduction, Linda. I, too, used to collect various items over the years, but moving so many times has curbed the urge. Besides, it can be dangerous when extended family (or students!) find out you collect things. I ended up with two stuffed cows on my wedding cake thanks to my brother-in-law. No joke! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a terrific book, Bridget. Ha! I love your 'cow' story. It can be dangerous. My daughter had a "cow" fling, too, & oh my, received quite a few when people found out. She, however, did not have one on her wedding cake. Thanks for sharing your hilarious "collection"!
DeleteCollecting poetry ... happy sigh. :) What a sweet book, and I love the illustrations. I also loved seeing your collections, Linda. So fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen, it was fun to share Michelle's book!
DeleteOooh! Collectibles, how awesome - collecting random things from your walks sounds lovely. :) And yes, I do have a collection, too, as you must know! I collect books!! :) How fortunate that we now have more space for them. :)
ReplyDeleteHa! I suspect all of us do collect books, but perhaps not as many as you, Myra! Glad you now have more space! Thanks!
DeleteI've heard about Michelle's book, but haven't read it yet--looking forward to it, though. It sounds amazing in so many ways. Lately, I've been collecting things from nature that I find on my walks--a white pelican feather that's black, a snakeskin, various plant parts....
ReplyDeleteAnd I collect books, too--but have been trying to get them from the library as much as possible to save space and money. Still, I can't resist sometimes.
I know about those book purchases, really hard when it's a wonderful new one! I used to have what we called a "pretty table" in the classroom where students and I shared wonderful 'found' things from nature. It became an important collection for us. Thanks, Susan! Enjoy this book when you can!
Delete