Check It Out

I love the poem “This is Just to Say” by William Carlos Williams.  I was thrilled to receive a copy of his biography, River of Words by Jan Bryant, last fall during the CYBILS  judging. 

River of Wordsis a wonderful read.  It is written in a style accessible to students of all ages.  My first and second graders loved listening to it last week.  What surprised me was the close proximity of Williams hometown to my father’s hometown, Lodi, NJ. 

This book is on my list as an excellent example of a book with a strong metaphor.  Blending the Passiac River with the volume of ideas, thoughs, and words flowing from Willaims’ mind is brilliant.

I asked my aunt about it and she said, “Yes, I know who he was.  But we didn’t know much about him when we were growing up.  Sometimes the locals don’t know much about the home town folks.” 

I love the artwork by Melissa Sweet.  Her illustrator’s note at the end of the book tells a personal story how she was introduced to this great poet.  Her collage and art medium variety complements the text. Readers will want to linger awhile on each page.

I love Bryant’s message that a person can have a day joy, a career and yet find time to write poetry.  The time line at the end of the book is an asset. More to think about. The quote at teh book’s beginning should be one for all of us:

“When I was younger, it was plain to me, I must make something of myself.”– William Carlos Williams, “Pastoral”.

Anastasia is hosting Nonfiction Monday today. Thanks.

Happy Reading.

MsMac