Another long week, just as I wrote two weeks ago. Sometimes we need a break from the news, where we see every day something to take in, wondering how to help, how to press for better. I do want to find answers for helping but taking time to enjoy beauty outside and books inside gives me the energy to find those answers.
One recent book I adore is Would You Come Too? by Poetry Friday pal, Liz Garton Scanlon. Although the book appears to invite children out to play in nature, the wonder of it is that she's showing how they would "be" IF they were the animals they will meet. Of course, those animals come, too! In the briefest of poetic lines, Liz shows us how with the help of colorful joy in Diana Sudyka's illustrations.
One double-page spread shows a tree with birds in flight, and children planting:
If we were birds, we'd eat berries
and scatter the seed sweet and bright
And the next double-page:
If we were seeds, we'd be hopeful,
reaching for water and light."
I love the idea of children running with abandon out in a wood, have my own special memories of our family's cabin in the woods as my children grew up. I've had the pleasure of seeing my middle-grade students playing hide 'n seek in snowy woods, shouting with laughter as they dive into snowdrifts to hide. Experiences outside stay with us, don't they?
A favorite page might become your favorite, too, when you see it, those magical shadows of children "boundless and wild and free".
Thanks to Liz, readers can have a getaway from her book!
Linda, the news, sad as it is, has been a focal point these days. Nature does nurture us! Everyone needs to believe that more people will be aware of the growing incidents of hate. Tahnk you for sharing Liz's book. " If we were seeds, we'd be hopeful,
ReplyDeleteeaching for water and light."
I am in awe of Liz's ability to weave such important ideas into accessible, poetic language. This book looks like a real beauty. I can't wait to share it with Hazel and Eamonn. Thank you for sharing it with us, Linda!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks so lovely, Linda!! And you're so right about nature being a great nurturer. We certainly need a BIG break from all the bad news. Thanks for spotlighting Liz's new book. Looking forward to reading it. :)
ReplyDeleteThat last comment was mine. Still having probs with blogger blogs. Jama xo
ReplyDeleteThis book looks great and thanks for spotlighting it. Nature has such a power to comfort.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks delightful. Thank you for sharing it here.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to get this book! I'm such a LGS fan! Beautiful words; beautiful art! - AGAIN!
ReplyDeleteKaren's subtitle makes me smile too. I do love a wry wit. And, this book is beautiful! It reminds me of childhood (never mind that my mother often had to push me outdoors because I was happiest inside & reading). I had lots of space to be out in nature and I never knew what a gift that was. Thanks for the brief review. It's beautiful...and I'm so ready for a getaway!
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ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely-sounding book! Thanks for sharing! (and sorry for the typo in my previous comment!)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of this book - and that image is delightful. I think in these times we all need to be the seeds, reaching for light, and, of course, making a tiny difference.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a delightful book, Linda. Loving the joyful examples you've shared.
ReplyDeleteWhy have I not held this book in my hands yet!! Looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for taking this peek at Liz's book! I hope you can find it and read it all. It's a keeper!
ReplyDeleteI'm ready to be "boundless, wild and free" from the world these days...Liz's book looks like the perfect way to do that. Thanks for sharing it with us, Linda. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading my poem and your kind comment. The right illustrator can really make the difference for someone's poems and the right poet can do the same for someone's art. Scanlon and Sudyka seem to complement each other perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThank you, too, David. I agree, the collaboration between writer & illustrator makes a marvelous story.
DeleteI would love this book for my grandchildren. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for your comment to me. I try to be positive on social media, but reality isn't always positive. I am healing and finding small joys every day. I'm learning that that is the best way to live through and with hard times. Bless you for your concern.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margaret, even from afar, I often think of you & others, wondering how life is going. I just saw you posting about canoeing with your husband & Leo, a wonderful treat! Finding joy is exactly what life is about.
DeleteWhat a treasure! Thanks for sharing this book!
ReplyDeleteAh to be a seed and "be hopeful,
ReplyDeletereaching for water and light."
Thanks for sharing Liz's delightful and calming book Linda, I'm looking forward to spending time with it. The art is lovely–and I agree, sometimes we just need to take a break from our non-stop world…