[Saturday Reads] A Poetic Celebration of the World

Fats here.

Every Saturday we hope to share with you our thoughts on reading and books. We thought that it would be good practice to reflect on our reading lives and our thoughts about reading in general. While on occasion, we would feature a few books in keeping with this, there would be a few posts where we will just write about our thoughts on read-alouds, libraries, reading journals, upcoming literary conferences, books that we are excited about, and just book love miscellany in general.

---

Earth Day has come and gone. Yet, here I am sharing two picture books that celebrate the world. Both titles were displayed in the Children’s Department of my library. All images pertaining to this post were downloaded online.

Today Is the Birthday of the World

Words by Linda Heller
Pictures by Alison Jay
Published by Dutton Children’s Books (2009)
ISBN-13: 9780525479055

This year, little beaver, my dear little beaver,
Did you build a strong dam,
Happy that I’d chosen you to widen the pond?
This year, little beaver, my dear little beaver,
Were you the best little beaver that you could be?

Last Wednesday, I talked about a book featuring Belva Lockwood. It was illustrated by Alison Jay. Today Is the Birthday of the World is another book illustrated by her. Told in verses, this book celebrates life and the recognizes the role that each creature on Earth plays to make it the best place that it can be. This book is great for read-aloud and Jay’s illustrations add to its charm.

Peace

Words and Pictures by Wendy Anderson Halperin
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers (2013)
ISBN-13: 9780689825521

May your eyes have visions of peace.
May your hands do the work of peace: to help, to plant, to comfort, to reach out, and to create peace.
May your feet walk in the direction of peace.
May you hear music to feel peace.
May your words heal, not hurt.

Wendy Anderson Halperin’s masterpiece beautifully weaves various images and quotes by famous people. The book focuses on the idea that for there to be peace in the world, we must have peace in our hearts. Each page reflects slices of life and the quotes are not only about peace but also how we must live and interact with each other.