The Wonder Book

Rosenthal, A. K. (2010). The wonder book. New York: HarperCollins

Book Summary

Rosenthal’s collection of whimsical poems contains many humorous and witty lines of verse. She has some that play on old nursery rhymes, such as “It Could Be Verse,” that changes the words to “Eeny-Meany-Miney-Mo,” “Mary had a little Lamb,” and other popular rhymes.  She even has a poem that uses the periodic table to teach about table manners.

Impressions

The sketch-like illustrations are very reminiscent of Shel Silverstein’s popular poetry collections. Many add a sense of movement to the poem; the way the text is laid out on the page does this as well. In the poem about the periodic table, the text is laid out in a table. The “Wonder” poem has its text in little thought bubbles from several different characters. This attention to detail really brings the poems alive. I can imagine this would be a fun collection to read aloud to young readers or for new readers to read on their own. The words are simple and, as poems, often rhyme, which makes it easier for newer readers to follow along.

Professional Review

Here is a joyous, totally original potpourri of stories, poems, lists, palindromes, visual jokes, and random observations about the universal delights and conundrums of childhood. Set squarely in the world of the 21st-century child, with references to tae kwon do, 50 TV channels, and chocolate-chip pancakes, these varied musings nonetheless speak to everyone's inner child, young or old, mentioning table manners, dinosaurs, bratty children, whining, the tooth fairy, and moms and dads who can't relate. Simple, evocative, and childlike black-and-white line drawings, in concert with judicious and varied use of white space, perfectly capture the happy/sad/serious/silly moods of the selections. A book that can be opened on any page, it includes a handy, tongue-in-cheek index of key words and images to guide readers to subjects of interest. Make room on the poetry shelf between Prelutsky and Silverstein: fans of such well-loved titles as "The New Kid on the Block" (1984) and "A Light in the Attic" (1981, both HarperCollins) will flock to this winning volume of sheer fun.

Finn, K. (2010, March 1). School Library Journal.

Library Use

Poems from this book would lend themselves well to songs during storytime or a music & movement program.