Wordsworth the Poet [Hardcover]

Frances Kakugawa (Author), Scott Goto (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Wordsworth writes poetry — about rainbows made of butterflies and castles in the clouds. But all the other mice in the Hawaiian rain forest make fun of Wordsworth and his "silly" poems, until the day the sun disappears, and the sky rumbles, and the rain begins to fall and fall. That's when Wordsworth takes pen in hand and shows the others how poetry can save the day. In this heartwarming children's story by poet and educator Frances H. Kakugawa, young readers can learn the value of self-expression, then try writing their own poems about the world around them.

Wordsworth the Poet was the recipient of the 2004 Ka Palapala Book Award for Excellence in Children's Books from the Hawaii Book Publishers' Association.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Scott Goto's illustrations, rich with the colors of the forest and Hawai'i, present us with a likable mouse, Harry-Potter-bespectacled..." -- Honolulu Advertiser, September 7, 2003

"introduces us not only to Wordsworth the mouse, but to the Wordsworths of this world who are impassioned to write." -- Honolulu Advertiser, September 7, 2003

About the Author

Frances Kakugawa is a retired Hawaii educator. Originally from the Big Island, she taught for many years in the Hawaii public school system, as well as serving as a teacher trainer and curriculum writer/lecturer for the University of Hawaii and the State Dept. of Education. She has also taught in classrooms in Michigan and Micronesia. Through her workshops and speaking engagements, she is a leading advocate of the power of poetry to enrich the lives of children, the elderly and those who care for them.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Watermark Publishing; 1 edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974267201
• ISBN-13: 978-0974267203
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,338,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Frances Kakugawa - A Description:

Frances Kakugawa, who currently resides in Sacramento, was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii in Kapoho, which was demolished by lava when she was 18 years old. She has taught for many years in the Michigan and Hawaii public school systems; conducted language arts workshops for teachers in Micronesia and in Hawaii; and was a curriculum writer and lecturer for the University of Hawaii.

In 2002, she was recognized in the "Living Legacy: Outstanding Women of the 20th Century in Hawaii" book. Today, she continues to write, conducts writing support groups for caregivers, gives writing workshops for adults and children, and gives lectures on caregiving and writing throughout the U.S. These projects are being done in conjunction with organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California, Del Oro Caregiver's Resource Center and similar groups. A new project is currently being developed to provide support and writing workshops for children who live in families with members who suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia-related illnesses.

Frances has published eight volumes of poetry; a work on writing and poetry for caregivers ("Mosaic Moon"); "Teacher You Look Like a Horse!", which recalls her classroom experiences and lifelong career as an elementary school teacher; and, two works in her award winning 'Wordsworth' children's series. Her poem, "The Enemy Wore My Face," has been selected as the opening work for the Rising Sun portal of the World Peace Monument (www.peacemonument.org).

Works that are currently being readied for publication include:

-- "One Chopstick Marriage"; a collection of short stories recalling the experiences of growing up as a Japanese-American girl in a small village in the Hawaiian Islands after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and, of her ensuing journey to become a successful writer.

-- "Silk & Steel", a collection of poems and talk-story spanning 50 years of writing.

-- "The Caregivers Voice - Breaking the Silence" - Second in the series on writing as a tool for health professionals and caregivers including a collection contributed poetry from the experiences and writing of caregivers.

-- "Wordsworth, Stop the Bulldozers!" is the third volume in the Wordsworth children's series. Wordsworth The Poet and his friends face the challenge of encroaching development threatening to destroy the environment and take over their town.

-- "It's In Your Pocket, Wordsworth," finds Wordsworth's friends mysteriously absent as a whole slew of gadgets, from ipods and video-games to cell-phones and tweets, appear on the scene.


more information can be found at www.francesk.org

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Little Mouse To Be or Not To Be, May 21, 2009

By 

Teresa LeYung Ryan "Writing-Career Coach / Ed... (writingcoachteresa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wordsworth the Poet (Hardcover)

WORDSWORTH THE POET by Frances H. Kakugawa carries powerful messages. In spite of judgment and stigmas pinned on him for being "different" and "strange," protagonist Wordsworth the little mouse practices being

himself. His one friend Emily understands him. Kakugawa writes: "Sometimes all you need is a friend who accepts you for who you are and who requires no explanations." Through his poetic eyes, joy of writing, and true

nature, Wordsworth runs to Emily's bedside when she falls critically ill during a wild storm. Even the doctor can't help Emily. Can Wordsworth save his friend? A memorable story for children and the adult-reader.

Illustrations by Scott Goto splendidly complement Kakugawa's tale.