Thursday, April 26, 2012

W: The Word Collector

READ-4-LUCK is the weekly feature that acts as a book recommendation, book review, teaching tip, and writing lesson for children, parents, teachers, and writers. I post a link most weeks with Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Fridays.

 = Not bad. Might read twice.

 = Fun read first few times. Would get from library again.
 = Very enjoyable. Wouldn't mind owning a copy.
 = Awesome! Never tiresome for children, parents, teachers, or writers. May just have to buy it.


This week's pick is The Word Collector written and illustrated by Sonja Wimmer.
"Luna loves words. She loves their glow, and laughs when they tickle her. But one day she realizes that, little by little, all of the funny, beautiful and magnificent words are disappearing from the world—and the little girl decides that it’s time to do something about it!"
 

Publisher: Cuento de Luz  
Year: 2012
Word Count: 566
Book Level: 3.2
Age: 4-8
Topic: words, sharing, collecting
Theme: imagination, determination, hope, encouragement
First Lines:
Luna was an extraordinary little girl. She lived high, high up in the sky. And she had a very strange pastime. Luna collected words just like other people collected stamps: funny words that tickle your plate when you say them, words so beautiful that they make you cry, friendly words that embrace our soul.
RATINGS
CHILDREN:  This book is amazingly beautiful! The words flow right into the illustrations. Children are simply mesmerized. 

PARENTS:  Magical! I absolutely adore this book! Also has a great message of hope.

TEACHERS: 
 Best suited for a writing lesson. Could use as a prompt to get children to write about what they collect too.

WRITERS: 
 Simply wonderful. The more I read it, the more I want to soak it all in. Can't I be Luna, too? The back of the book includes the text listed by pagination. 

Be sure to visit other "perfect picture books" at Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

Keep on keepin' on...

11 comments:

  1. Thanks for telling us about this book. I can't wait to read it.

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  2. I'm so glad you're excited about it. It's one of my new favorites!

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  3. Great cover-- it begs to be opened and read. Love the theme. Think you'd also like Phileas's Fortune -- I reviewed it last August/Sept. And, it has a very different use of words -- in fact you have to buy your words. One of my favorite books. I know you'd like it.

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  4. I look forward to checking this one out.

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  5. Sounds like a book I would love - and love sharing with my kindergarten kids who are busy figuring out letters and words.

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  6. Hi Christie, this isn't the first time that I've read such a glowing review of this book. I love picture books with a bookish-theme element to it. In fact, this is one theme that we would also like to explore sometime this year. If and when we do push through with that theme, I am definitely going to find The Word Collector. Luna seems like a kindred. :)

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  7. It makes me want to find out what she does with the words :) Thanks!

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  8. This book has come up enough times lately that I think I'd better read it! :)

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  9. Sounds like a good one. (Hmm thought I commented earlier. I apparently don't understand the ways of the iPad)

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  10. What a beautiful choice, Christie! It reminds me a little of Frederick by Leo Lioni, about the little mouse who collected words and colors and the rays of the sun to share with his hard-working, seed-collecting family. :) Yet another book to add to the "I must have this" list!

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  11. I think I actually made a mistake on the word count. I'll have to count them; this book is not in the database I use.

    It's actually nothing like Frederick, although that is one of my nicknames because I'm such a daydreamer like he is.

    Luna shares the words with everyone to make the world a better place.

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