"A Child's Garden of Verses"

This book is quite enjoyable. As I was reading it, I kind of remembered my childhood days. This book brings out the imaginative mind that most people have as children. It was a very happy and "feel good" collection of verses. These verses were separated into four different sections: the first one didn't really have a name, the second was entitled "The Child Alone," and the third was entitled "Garden Days," and the fourth one was entitled "Envoys" which he dedicated to people in his family. I don't really understand why the collection was called "A Child's Garden of Verses," but I guess it has to do with the image of children young and innocent playing in a garden, using their imagination to create whatever, and to explore and take adventures as well. The use of the word garden in the title and in one of the section titles could also refer to the innocence and growth of children just like life in a garden. I think its interesting how he incorporates so many stories and aspects of his childhood into the poems he writes. It seems that writing about his own life basically was an easy thing to do, but he was clever in creating themes and other figurative devices at the same time.

Easter time!

Easter time is usually a pretty, happy, as well as a religious time of the year for my family and I. This year, however, is a little different. Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of my Aunt's death, so this time of year isn't as joyous as usual. I love remembering the great times I've had with her, but it still is sad knowing she isn't here with us.

Easter not only reminds me of the religious side to it, but it reminds me also of Spring and happy children... as funny as that may sound. And indeed, thats what it seems like every Easter we go to Louisiana. All the little cousins go on a Easter egg hunt, we eat crawfish on the porch outside in the nice weather, and everyone enjoys everybody's company. I remember when I was a little kid and loved taking pictures with the Easter bunny at the mall and then waking up Easter morning to see what he had left me in my basket. My mom still fixes me and my sister little Easter baskets with candy and stuff, but it's not the same. I love being in college and older now, but it would be nice to go back in time and be a child again sometimes.

Lyric Poems

I've never really thought of songs as lyric poems, because the truth is I've never really dealt with or learned about lyric poems much in school. But as I was thinking more and more about it, it makes since that the songs we hear day to day are indeed lyric poems; some of them rhyme, some repeat, some contain figurative language, etc. Many of these songs that we could consider lyric poems are narrative poems as well that tell a story. As we are continuing to look at different types of poems in children's literature, I've realized that poems aren't so bad afterall. And all poems don't have to deal with Shakespeare either, unlike the ones I read all through high school. I think poems, especially nursery rhymes, are great to introduce to young children as they begin reading. It's poems/sonnettes like those of Shakespeare and other poets that cause students to dispise poems or the thought of them.

Nursery Rhymes

I never really considered nursery rhymes to be poems when I was little. I always thought of them as just fun sing alongs and stories, but now that we're beginning to discuss nursery rhymes in class I've realized exactly what they are: poems for children. It's weird to think that I knew "poems" before I could even read because of t.v shows like Barney, and also because of books that were read to me in school and at home. Another thing I've never really thought about is why the popular nursery rhymes that we all grew up with and loved are referred to as "Mother Goose" nursery rhymes. As we discussed in class the other day, Mother Goose isn't a real person so where did this popular name come from? It's also quite interesting that these nursery rhymes have been around for many many years, and will most likely continue to be even when my children are at the age to be introduced to them.

Poetry

When I hear or see the word poetry I think, oh great! The poetry that I have dealt with throughout my high school years the most is poems/sonnettes from Shakespeare and other poets that make it hard to grasp the "message" in their work. When I found out we were doing poetry in this class I was a little discouraged at first. However, I'm sure the poetry we read can't be that bad; I mean it is children's literature. I'm kind of looking forward to it actually because Dr. Robinson said on Wednesday that we would be reading the "fun" poetry on Friday. Whatever poetry we do read and discuss the next couple of class periods I'm sure will most likely be fun and enjoyable. And if not I'm sure we can make it be, especially if it has to do with children!

The Princess and the Goblin

The Princess and the Goblin has been kind of hard for me to follow along with and understand at times, especially when I first started reading the book. It's also my picture of a typical fantasy story like Cinderella, Harry Potter, etc. The more we discuss the meaning behind the characters and what takes place in the book, the more I understand and like the book. I really like the grandmother. At first, she seemed a little weird and somewhat scary, but as the story went along she became more magical and enchanted. I really like how she watches out for Irene in different ways, without Irene even being aware of it most of the time. She's your typical grandmother who cares and loves for her grandaughter; making sure she stays out of trouble, is always safe, does what she is told, and stays clean and healthy. Overall, this book isn't bad, but I think it would be more enjoyable for older children, ones who could maybe analyze the light aspect in it and understand the message behind the story itself.

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish is a pretty popular book by Dr. Seuss, just like basically all of his books. I'm pretty sure I read them as a kid because they were an easy read and I enjoyed the rhyming. The pictures were pretty funny too. The characters in the book were nothing I had seen before; quite unusual. Actually, when I was little I probably just laughed at them, but now I wonder how Dr. Seuss came up with these unusual beings. The beginning of the book is rather normal as far as plot goes; the words are everyday words that children could easily recognize. The use of these everyday words, I believe, are quite helpful to children who read them, and the rhyming helps as well. As children read this book they can become familiar with everyday words as well as words that rhyme with one another, all while enjoying a rather funny story. However, the second half of the book seems a little silly with all the made up words and things like a "Whump," a "Nook," and "Zeds." I guess you can say this is the part of the story that really brings the "fantasy" side out. If you think about it, this world Dr. Seuss creates is somewhat magical, silly and "out there." Some may disagree with my outlook to the fantasy side of Dr. Seuss' stories, but everybody has their own opinions.