Module 9: The Wonder Book

Book Summary: Amy Krouse Rosenthal is well-known for her stories for children. This book is different in that it is filled with non-sensical poems and trivia that is for a broad range of ages, but would mostly appeal to kids and their parents. Nursery rhymes and songs that are familiar to families are re-told as well. Hidden visuals are also throughout.

APA Reference of Book:
Rosenthal, A.K. (2010). The wonder book. New York, NY: Harper.

Impressions: My first inclination upon reading Rosenthal's version of "This Little Piggy" was to share it with my husband. I began reading some of the silly poems to him since many were clever. In the same way that Shel Silverstein's illustrations illuminate the meaning behind his poems, Paul Schmid's illustrations add to the humorous poetry. The puns and palindromes are educational in their wordplay. 

One potential issue I could see with this book is that it does not have a distinct overall theme. However, the randomness of the poems and activities inside means that the book can be opened to any page and enjoyed without having to read it in order.

Professional Review: "An uneven collection of poems and witticisms, the very best of which evoke Shel Silverstein. Several poems are takes on old standbys, such as “It Could Be Verse”: “Eeny Meeny and Miney Moe / Caught a tiger with their tow / The tiger hollered; they wouldn’t let go / No more Eeny Meeny or Miney Moe.” Others are short and super silly: “Tinkle / Tinkle / In the sea / Don’t look under / While I pee...” Some of the most successful pieces are those in which Schmid’s black-and-white drawings are integral to the poem’s meaning. In the palindromes section, for example, “Won ton? Not now,” is illustrated with a picture of a little girl offering a won ton to a boy who is hanging upside down while being squeezed by a large snake. Even when they are not absolutely necessary to the meaning of the poems, the illustrations, dynamic and expressive, lend a degree of charm and whimsy to a serviceable, often funny, collection" (Kirkus, 2010, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/amy-krouse-rosenthal/the-wonder-book/).

Kirkus Reviews. (2010, March 1). [Review of the book The wonder book, by A.K. Rosenthal] Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/amy-krouse-rosenthal/the-wonder-book/

Library Uses: For kids that enjoy silly stories, riddles, or humorous poetry books, this book would be an appropriate recommendation. I could also see this book as a fun additional to family traveling materials as the poems could be shared with all family members.