“Keep an open heart
that’s where curiosity likes to start.”
— Georgia Heard
Entry to the Wonder House starts with curiosity. The first poem, by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, begins as a series of questions like those a child might ask …
Why do diamonds wink
and shine?
What is quartz?
What is lime?
What fossils still sleep underground?
How does our Earth
keep spinning around?…
A collaboration of poet/teachers Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Georgia Heard, this stunning collection invites readers into the rooms of an imagined house – a room of praise, a room of ordinary things. Rooms of time and place, quiet and imagination.
With each turn of the page, readers encounter luminous, mixed media illustrations by Deborah Freeman. And the wondering magic continues.
WELCOME TO THE WONDER HOUSE is a poetry collection like no other I’ve read. The poems beg to be read aloud, studied, and reread again. The illustrations slow us down, as we search for the connections of words and art, imagery, ideas, and questions.
Once you’ve finished enjoying the poems and art, treat yourself to this conversation with librarian, Betsy Bird, the authors, illustrator, and editor, Rebecca Davis, as each talks about the genesis of the book, the collaboration process, and the creation of the art.
” … from the moment I open my eyes I can tell it’s a Pool Day.”
I didn’t grow up with a pool nearby but, for a few years, we lived next-door to neighbors who had recently built a pool in their backyard.
Whenever my sisters and I heard splashing at their house, we’d run to the wide clearing between the trees that separated our homes and look longingly towards their yard, hoping for an invitation…
OUR POOL, written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, brought me back to Springwood Path and the joy of jumping in the neighbor’s pool on a hot, humid day.
“You can feel TALL
in the shallow end.
And OH-SO-SHORT
in the deep end…
We “Marco!”
And we “Polo!”…
We make our way from wall
to wall underwater or on the
surface, racing, laughing, and
hand-over-hand edge-bracing.
Do your memories of swimming include jumping in a neighbor’s pool like mine do? Or maybe yours are about the excitement of heading off to a community pool where people are swimming “in every direction. Breaststrokers, backstrokers. Butterfliers and doggie-paddlers.”
Either way, it’s a day full of games and snacks and flips and handstands and one final CANNONBALL! And then, tired and happy (and maybe, even, hungry again) it’s time to dry off, and head home, basking in the glow of a good time at the POOL.
Summer is soon coming to a close and some kids have already headed back to school. But the weather is still warm in many places, and even if you can’t jump in the pool any time soon, you can pick up a copy of OUR POOL from your local library or bookstore and enjoy revisiting some of your best summertime memories.
Earlier this month, my newest, THE SHARING BOOK, arrived on bookstore shelves. It’s a book inspired by my friendship with 7 other women who, among their many talents, are also writers. We met 18 years ago at Vermont College of Fine Arts, and we’ve been friends ever since.
In the years following graduation, we’ve gathered on both sides of the country and places in between. We write together, talk together, cook together, and share the things happening in our daily lives. We also celebrate — first books, grandbabies, moves to new homes, and our latest adventures.
In one conversation, sometime after the sale of Stephanie Parsley Ledyard’s first book, PIE IS FOR SHARING (illo. by Jason Chin) but before the book was published, we were gathered on the porch and one of us (I couldn’t remember who, but it turns out it was Stephanie Greene, author of over 30 books) said “Laps are for sharing.” Although those words aren’t actually in the book, the inspiration for the story began there, right there, sitting on the porch with good friends. At the time I promised that, if I were able to write this idea into a manuscript that sold, I would dedicate the book to these dear friends. And so, their names are included on the final page.
It took months to settle on the 225 words that would eventually become this book, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the way it turned out. My hope — when you read it — is that you’ll feel the same spark of joy that I did when I shared it with kids for the very first time.
I hope you’ll buy or request THE SHARING BOOK from your library and, if you’re willing, leave a review in all the places (Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, Amazon). These are some of the best ways to bring a book to a young reader’s, parent’s or caregiver’s, teacher’s or librarian’s attention. (Many thanks in advance!)
Looking for a song to pair with the book at storytime? Check out this “Hello and Goodbye” song from Jbrary.
Beetles are fascinating! They come in all different colors, sizes, and shapes. What’s not to love? And right up there with real live beetles are books about beetles.
As a long-time, primary-grades teacher, I know the importance of “just right” books for emerging and progressing readers: an engaging plot, eye-catching pictures that support the text (expertly illustrated by Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn), along with repetition, decodable words, and familiar sight words. Add in a bit of “beetle math” – sorting bugs into child-friendly categories – and you know you’ve struck early reader gold!
Be sure to search out these books for your kiddos who are practicing their early reading skills!
Check out these FREE Downloadable materials to extend the book:
Every child is different. Some kids tend to be anxious, and others, not so much. Some of those worriers will, over time, learn strategies that help them deal with anxiety. BRAVE EVERY DAY, by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton is a picture book about such a child. When she’s worried, Camila does what she does best – hide. Her “what if” and “I can’t” worries sneak up on her whenever she’s at school. Her “I’m scared” worries visit her in the dark of night.
Camila does not feel even a tiny bit brave. Not yet, anyway. But soon enough, on the day her class takes a trip to the aquarium, Camila has a chance to face her worries head on…
“When the big day arrives, Camila tries her best to blend in and avoid all the scary things she’s imagined might happen in this new and unfamiliar setting. But then, she bumps into Kai, another child who’s carrying his own set of worries. He loves reading about stingrays, but is too afraid to meet them “in-person.” Will Camilla accompany Kai to visit the stingray exhibit?
As it turns out, her heart is larger than the fear that has haunted her. “I’ll try,” she says. It’s a first step, and it’s enough because it allows her to open herself up to taking many more steps towards bravery.
A perfect book for the child who needs to know that small steps of courage, taken one-by-one and day-by-day, can make a BIG difference.
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “How much is enough?” As adults, we’re familiar with this concept, as it brushes up against us in various ways. For one person, it might be about enough pairs of shoes to match each outfit in the closet. For another, it could be about more tools or gadgets to make working in the kitchen or backyard easier. For others, it’s the question… “Do I really need one more book?”
For kids — and adults, too, if we’re honest — it’s a concept that’s always developing, as we all consider the differences between wants and needs, the practical, the extravagant and, even, our feelings about comparison and self-worth.
Like many things, understanding begins with awareness and questions like How much is enough? and How much is too much? It’s a big concept to wrestle with and explain to a young child, and yet, Jessica Whipple in her book, ENOUGH IS…, illustrated by Nicole Wong has done an amazing job of taking this abstract idea and making it concrete.
“Somewhere between a little and a lot, there is Enough.
It might be hard to spot, but it’s always there.
Sometimes you have to squint to see Enough past New and
Better, looking so bright and shiny. Enough is hard to recognize.”
This beautifully written and illustrated picture book is sure to open up conversations with children about their own experiences with enough and better,more and less, too muchand Enough.
Have you ever dreamed of sharing a pot of tea and crumpets with a fairy? Or imagined you’d one day joust with a bumble bee while riding on the back of a dragonfly?
You’re a wee bit big, of course. But not for long! All you’ll need is “a rose petal in your pocket at sunrise….” and the magic begins… Lasso the first dragonfly you spy and you’re off on an adventure like none you’ve ever experienced before.
HOW TO RIDE A DRAGONFLY, by Kitty Donohue, delightfully illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf, invites young readers into a world of fairies and beetle bands, a world where adventures happen in miniature. What child, at one time or another, hasn’t dreamed of such a life full of magic?
Kids will be charmed by Donohoe’s enchanting story and will soon be dreaming up adventures of their own!
🧚🏽🧚🏽🧚🏽
It’s a pleasure to introduce readers to my long time friend Kitty, and her debut picture book, HOW TO RIDE A DRAGONFLY.
DIANNE: Welcome to ReaderKidZ, Kitty! You and I go a long way back. I have distinct memories of an SCBWI Working Writer’s Retreat we attended back in the 90s. We were both teachers. You were writing novels, and I was just beginning to dip my toe into picture books. Over the years, we’ve attended the same conferences, classes, and shared many writing ups and downs.
I’d love you to start back when you were a child, growing up in Yosemite. It was there that the seeds of your stories were planted. Can you share a little bit about that time of your life and how those memories influence your work today?
KITTY: Dianne, growing up in Yosemite was pure magic. We lived in a very old house that my great-grandfather built. He and my great grandmother left Ireland in the late 1800’s for a new life in America. They homesteaded Yosemite Valley in 1884. My siblings and I had the joy of growing up in an extraordinary setting.
It was impossible to not be transfixed by nature. Each season had its own unique spell. As far as my book goes, summer memories had a big influence on HOW TO RIDE A DRAGONFLY.
Every summer afternoon my mom walked us to the Merced River near our house. We would spend hours swimming and daydreaming under the cottonwood trees. Watching little creatures like water bugs, butterflies, and of course, dragonflies was a delightful pastime. I think those early memories become deeply embedded in one’s psyche.
DIANNE: I remember the day several years ago, when you shared the news that you’d sold your first book! It was thrilling! And how exciting it is to now be holding a copy of HOW TO RIDE A DRAGONFLY. Can you share the inspiration for this book? Did the story begin with the “how-to” structure or something else? What was your writing process as you worked on the manuscript?
KITTY: It was really exciting to share the news with you Dianne! We had so many dreams for so long and it just makes it better when a friend can enjoy your success! One thing I know for sure is that one must never give up. I have been writing stories from the time I could hold a pen and submitting stories for half of my life. Dreams do come true if you don’t give up.
I did think about a “how – to” structure to some degree. I have taken many institutes from The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. One of their units focuses on nonfiction “how – to” books. I was making some exemplar “how – to” books for my students and then I thought what if I made a “how – to” book that was fantasy? And then I thought , what if I make it so that the narrator talks to the reader in much the same way as I talk to my students?
You might say that I found my writing voice by tapping into my teacher voice — the fun teacher voice that taps into kids’ natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
DIANNE: Anne Wilsdorf’s illustrations are absolutely stunning – whimsical, full of light and color. She really captured the imaginative and fanciful nature of the story.
One of the joys of seeing sketches and final art in our picture books is the magic of how an artist transforms our words with a “second narrative,” things that show up in the art that we might not have been expecting. (I’m thinking of the kitty who appears at the beginning and end of the story. A nod to the author from the illustrator?!) Any other fun surprises in the illustrations kids can look for?
KITTY: I do think Anne Wilsdorf may have been having fun with the kitty in the illustration as a nod to my name. The artwork of the fairies on flowers was so charming. As a child growing up in Yosemite, I believed that such things existed. My childhood friends and I used to play a game we called Flower Fairies. We based it on the characters from Cicely Mary Barker’s books.
When I first read my book to second graders at my school, one of them had such a good question. The book implies that the fairies were little kids who shrunk and didn’t get back by sunset so they stayed small. A child asked me if that was the case, how did the child get wings? The only answer I had was that it was magic. It did make me think though. Kids see things that I hadn’t even thought of and that is the fun of sharing stories with children.
DIANNE: After a long teaching career, this is your last year! I’m sure it feels both exciting to be stepping out into full-time writing and, maybe even, a bit scary. How has teaching influenced your writing up to this point, and what’s on the horizon for you?
KITTY:I have to say that this is indeed a bittersweet moment for me. I have been teaching very young children for well over half of my life. I will miss their constant presence. Rather like a mama duck with her ducklings following her everywhere she goes. I will say that I do know a lot about young children’s imaginations and their sense of humor. Being around them for so many years has tuned me into that and it has truly helped me as a writer for youngsters.
I hope to continue to have more books published. I love to write and I will have more time to do it now. I feel like being an author for young children is the perfect fit for me. I love children’s literature and being a part of children’s journeys in literacy is very important to me.
Thank you so much Dianne for interviewing me. You are a dear friend and I am excited that we have walked the same path for many years.
DIANNE: Ditto, Kitty! I look forward to reading the beautiful stories you create in the years to come.
