Customer Reviews

Sparkle and Spin: A Book About Words

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I grew up with this book in the 60s. It was originally published in 1957 -- which shows how incredibly cutting-edge this mid-century modern book was. Through the years later the lessons of the book about language and imagery remained in my mind, and as an adult I finally managed to locate an out-of-print copy. I'm glad it's been republished -- it's true classic by two masters of the era.

It's fun, it's easy for kids to understand. My twin boys love it, we talk about what is being read and it illustrates through pictures and words how things come together. And then the "why" questions just keep on coming!! Enjoy

I chose this one for my 5 year old son, but our entire family enjoys reading it. I can't believe it was published so long ago! If you would like to articulate tintinabulate, then BUY THIS BOOK!

It is a great chance to own a peice work of a master, reprint after so many years.

I'm oscillating wildly between giving it 5 stars and giving it 2. 3 seemed like a nice compromise :)

This is a book about... words and poetry, but not really. (I'm aware that's clear as mud, but bear with me here.) The author is seeking, I think, to define language and ideas without actually giving definitions. As an example, the first page runs:

What are words?
Words are how what you think inside
comes out
and how to remember what you might
forget about.

The book goes on like this until the end. And honestly, I'm not sure if I like it or not. The author has a gift of putting together language in a way that's friendly and makes the whole concept of "language" clear... but I'm not sure if she goes above the head of her audience or, conversely, is well too easy for them!

The illustrations are cheerfully retro (well, they were modern when this was first in print), no complaints there.

Check this book out of the library before you buy it. And you know what? If you like it, try Margaret Wise Brown's The Important Book. These two have similar styles.

I'm totally smitten with this book and I plan on getting more reprints by the Rands. My son is about 8 months now and certainly doesn't understand the meaning behind this book but it still keeps him entertained (as well as myself!). He draws his hands around the illustrations and is content while listening to what I am reading. I read this so often that I think he recognizes it when I pull it out!

The illustrations are wonderful and I absolutely love the midcentury modern aesthetic. The words are poetic but I feel that they can still be understood by young children. I've read it to a 4 year old and she had a lot of questions as I read but I think that is what makes this book great! How can a book that tries to articulate the word tintinnabulate not be a good book!

I am not sure about the original, but this book has glitter on the front of the book. This is my only complaint. I have never been a fan of glitter because I'll find it on my clothing and skin for days after. I think they took the term "sparkle" too literally when they designed the cover of the book. Really, this is just a minor complaint though. It will never keep me from reading this book to my son almost every evening!

I can't wait until my son is old enough to understand the words in this book because I think he will love it even more!

This book is not recommended. It is poorly written and the cadence makes it difficult to read. It is not a learning experience. It is a frustrating reading exercise.

Similar to "Little 1" ..... great retro graphics that adults can appreciate..... but the writing is boring and frustrating to read. Not very fun or interesting.