POETRY FRIDAY

As a former primary grade teacher, I want my students exposed to poetry at a very young age. I'm always on the lookout then, for poetic picture books. For my youngest readers, I want books that will make their way into their mouths, and into their hearts, and that children will ask for again and again and again.  I found one this week in Sharon Gibson Palermo's WINTER, WINTER, COLD AND SNOW. It's a really simple book, with a rhythm that reminds me of Bill Martin's classic BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR. Listen for a minute:

Winter, winter, cold and snow;

Chickadee, Chickadee Who do you know?

I know Bear, asleep in her den;

she might wake up when the sun shines in

The little guys always love animals, and this book has some old favorites like bears and owls, but also some that are more unusual- beavers and woodchucks, for example. I see lots of potential science discussions and wonderings about where animals go and how they take care of themselves in winter. The paper collage illustrations are colorful and interesting, yet not too busy for young children.

Pretty sure that WINTER, WINTER COLD AND SNOW is one that my little younger kids are going to love! I'm looking forward to sharing it on our next snowy day.

Jone has the POETRY FRIDAY ROUNDUP at CHECK IT OUT.