7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clever, brilliant, excellent...exceeds the five star rating!, December 2, 2000
This review is from: Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff, Second Edition (Paperback)
This enjoyable children's poetry book made me laugh and hold a smile the entire time I read this comical book to my three giggling children--until the very end.
The New Hampshire author, CJ Heck, originally from Ohio, has put together a spectacular collection of children's poetry into one skillfully written and charmingly illustrated book. Michelle Lenkner has drawn delightful characters in pencil drawings, which enhance and perfectly fits the adorable poetry on each and every page.
Do you know what a barking spider is? My children laughed hysterically as I read the poem titled: Barking Spiders and by the fourth time...they were holding their stomachs!
This honest, innocent, and appealing book transcends all age barriers and explores topics such as belly buttons, smelly feet, birthmarks, and chicken pox! Every child and parent a like is sure to fall in love with this funny, and unique book by a talented author who definitely knows and keeps in touch with the child within her.
My children and I enjoyed this book thoroughly and I plan to read a poem to them every day in the hopes of keeping their wonderful imaginations a live.
Get in touch with the child who is trapped inside you, make your little ones giggle and watch as their eyes light up as you read such poems as: Dancing Fairies, Playin' Cowboy, Toe Jam, My Brother's Feet, and many more delightful poems.
Visit the imaginative world of a child by getting your hands on CJ Heck's book BARKING SPIDERS and other such stuff as soon as possible.
Highly recommended!
--Reviewed by Jennifer L. B. Leese,
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gentle Poems from Childrens' Perspectives, November 24, 2000
This review is from: Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff, Second Edition (Paperback)
This collection of 59 brief poems by C.J. Heck and accompanying line drawings by Michelle Lenkner are destined to become standard reading for the 10 year old set. They magically capture the "lost youth" of these young people while also moving the gaze into the potential joy of the current moment. Each poem seems designed to come from a different specific childhood perspective that will fit your child perfectly in a number of cases. Beyond that, the pages will reopen your own mind and heart to your childhood memories and perspectives.
In fact, the book is designed to give the feel of being an anthology of children's verse. The poems can connect with your child both through their subject matter and by their simplicity. You have poems about barking spiders, belly buttons, lost teeth, Bandaids, hugs, the Boogie man, shadows, smelly feet, toe jam, new babies in the family, and prayer. These are almost universal subjects. Often the poems come from an obviously female or male perspective, and I liked that. Your child can pick the rhymes that fit his or her personality and experiences best.
Most children will probably relate well to somewhere between 20 and 40 of these poems, so there's plenty here to keep the 4th through 6th grader happily occupied.
Personally, I found some of the poems to be remarkably appealing and interesting. Among these are Ode to Being Five, To the Boogie Man:, Hugs, Jelly Beans, Bandaids, Baby's First Christmas, Colors, The Quarter, My Tooth, Our New Baby, "Special" Brother, Dear Santa, Mommie's Hands, Angel, and Bed Pages.
I would like to single out one poem, Night Night, for special praise. It is similar to the ending of Goodnight Moon, but has an even simpler way to descend into a cozy slumber.
Although this book is designed to be read at the 9-12 age level, the poems themselves will be enjoyed by much younger children when read aloud by you. As such, you can begin reading some of these to children as young as 1 or 2. Some are also simple enough that they could be easily learned by a beginning reader. So you will get plenty of benefit over the years from your investment in the book.
After you child shows signs of "outgrowing" this book, I suggest that you explain the reasons why you enjoy it. ... adopting an ageless perspective that combines the best of youth and maturity is a valuable goal. Keeping the best of childhood present is the way to begin that process. Encourage them to keep with them that which is always valuable about childhood's outlook, especially the optimism and simple sense of wonder.
Make sure your child's life is always more than "a hole that just goes nowhere."
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy this book!, August 11, 2001
This review is from: Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff, Second Edition (Paperback)
What a fun book! I cant think of a better book to give or read to a child. In this delightful book C. J. Hecks lyrical poetry captures the world as seen through the eyes of a child. Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff evoked feelings of nostalgia in me. Although I enjoyed the entire bookand its whimsical illustrationsI was particularly touched by The Quarter, which teaches children to be thoughtful and considerate of those who are less fortunate. Grampas House brought back a flood of memories of weekend visits when I was a little girl. Grammas Apron was another poem that tugged at my heart. I also enjoyed Yes and No, the two words that have such an impact on a childs day. And I remember how I too wished that a Money Tree would grow in my back yard. I'm glad to see that Barking Spiders is in its second edition. Many other editions are sure to follow, as it is destined to become a childrens book classic. But don't choose it because of that; choose it because it's just too wonderful to miss.
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