Tuesday, March 5, 2019

BOOM! BELLOW! BLEAT! by Georgia Heard and Aaron DeWitt



Greetings - we have a winner of this new title - Lynne-Marie.
Thank you everyone, for participating!
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Introducing Georgia Heard's BOOM! BELLOW! BLEAT!
with illustrations by Aaron DeWitt
picture book poem collection + giveaway
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By JG Annino

I'm chirpy today with news of a community chorus collected in 
BOOM! BELLOW! BLEAT! 
Animal Poems for Two or More Voices.

This is an inter-active book that blares, whispers and
cajoles with an invitation to Read Aloud. 
Through the poem pages and beyond, nature notes
in this pitch-perfect picture book
invite us into a wild way of communication, some of which
I didn't know existed. You, your students, family, friends
will be baffled, excited and jubilant about questions raised and 
answers given in this clever approach to sharing creature sounds.
I can especially see this title selected by youth chorus directors,
music teachers & and youth musical theater directors, beyond
the family, library and school market.

Poems mentioned here are c.2019 by Georgia Heard

Cricket Arithmetic

Cold pierces evening
crickets crouch in corn stubble-
last chant of the year
chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp

The crickets (channeling Georgia) provide two other poems
and also work on counting (in back-of-book nature notes.)
Right whales offer a deep-sea song,  
elephants speak in their own two voices,
from trunk tip, or, their mouths.
So many other creatures (I counted at least 40) also chime in.

Georgia Heard's spare poems provide room for child readers
(or their older companions) to expressively play the parts of
lungs (frogs, toads,)
swim bladder (some fish,)
claw (snapping shrimp)
to attempt to emulate sounds from origins other than mouths.
I knew a little bit about cricket wings, but not as much as this
book joyfully shares, not did I ever guess much about other body parts
that animal language tumbles from.



I like how illustrator Aaron DeWitt's double spreads
evoke a here and now mood in me, employing an uncluttered
digital painting style that is  transportive,
making me feel as if I am in the scene.

I hope you can read BOOM! BELLOW! BLEAT! soon.
As someone who sometimes writes to pals whatdoyouthink? I melted
at these two ending lines from Georgia Heard's poem, titled

" Bigclaw Snapping Shrimp"

...Fast,fishswimawayfast,

                                                               watchoutforshimp'sbubbleblast!


Call me a punster but I will mention that Georgia heard
the sounds in creating these poems and Aaron illustrates with wit.
You will likely read this book several times to select a favorite
voice, sound, or back story of how specific community chorus members
create their communicating ways. I finish the book and want to begin
again, thinking what a marvelous universe this is.
And no, I'm not identifying the wild individuals who are the source
of the three title sounds. You. Will. Be. Surprised.

- COMMENT here by March 15 for a chance to receive my review copy.

Other Georgia Heard illustrated books for children I am fortunate to
already have on my shelves, include 
FALLING DOWN THE PAGE, which is a collection of  list poems 
and also, THE PLACE I KNOW,  poems of comfort for all of us,
especially students, in these troubled times. More recently I have found
Georgia's guide, WRITING TOWARD HOME and also, 
HEART MAPS and eventually expect to share some discoveries in these 
at Bookseedstudio, my blog. 

Aaron DeWitt also created the huggable art for DREAMING OF YOU 
by Poetry Friday's AmyLudwig VanDerwater, so it's time to meet 
Aaron's work if he is new to you.
  
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(Remember to comment & if you don't want to be included in the give away, just say so.)

Bunny selects a winner! Lynne Marie will receive this title. Let us know your postal address. 




16 comments:

  1. What a fabulous review this is, Jan. I am intrigued and ready to put this on hold amy library now. Animal noses and poetry coming form everywhere.

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  2. Picture Book Poetry - what a great combination. I love writing and reading poetry for kids.

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  3. This looks lovely. I can't wait to see it all.

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  4. This is very creative. Can't wait to read this book.

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  5. Terrific review, Jan. Looking forward to reading.

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  6. Such a delightful post, Jan, Georgia, and Aaron.

    You've sparked my curiosity. The title is intriguing. I look forward to reading this clever book.

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  7. Oh, I can imagine all kinds of uses for this one. Thanks for introducing us to this work.

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  8. Looks like a fun read aloud. Thanks for the great rec!

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  9. This book sounds perfectly charming. Thanks for such a thorough, thoughtful review.

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  10. This looks like pure fun to read aloud! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the book.

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  11. What a fun review of a really fun-sounding book! Can't wait to read all of it.

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  12. Georgia Heard heard. Ha! I love it, and I love poems that incorporate SOUND! This looks like so much fun. Can't wait to enjoy. Thank you! xo

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  13. I have it ordered, Jan, know it will be fabulous! No need to put me in your drawing, but I loved your sharing!

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  14. This book sounds fantabulous fun and factual, too. What a treat!

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  15. Great review, Jan! I've been sharing my review copy with students and they do love it! (No need to include me in the drawing.)

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  16. So fun! And a former Floridian, too! Good luck to you!

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