The Word Collector
Peter Hamilton Reynolds, Author & Illustrator
Orchard Books, Fiction, Jan. 30, 2018
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: Collecting words, Sharing, Individuality, Imagination, Kindness
Opening: Collectors collect things… coins…art…comic books. And Jerome?
Synopsis:
Some people collect stamps. Some people collect bugs. Some people collect baseball cards. Not Jerome. He collected words. Printed words. Short and multi-syllable words. Words that roll off your tongue and feel good to say. Words that sing. Words that make you laugh. He organized and filled scrapbooks with his favorite words. One day he was carrying an armload of scrapbooks when he slipped. His words went flying through the air and landed in a mess around him. He began stringing the words together and made a powerful discovery. Perhaps his words weren’t so mixed up.
Why I like this book:
Reynolds captures the magic of words in Jerome’s pure joy of sharing words with others. There is a charm in this book. There is kindness. The tone of the text is wistful and alluring, inviting the reader along Jerome’s magical journey of discovery and possibilities. This book fosters a curiosity for words and a love of language! It is both empowering and heartwarming with a satisfying ending that will put a smile on a children’s faces. It is spindiddly!
Jerome is a child of color, but the story has nothing to do with his color or ethnicity. The supporting characters in the story are all diverse, which lends itself to inclusiveness. It is so important for children to see themselves in a story.
Reynolds’ pen and ink illustrations are playful and contribute to the joyful spirit of Jerome’s journey. Make sure you check out the endpapers.
Resources: After reading the book, look at the endpapers which are packed with words. Reynolds urges children “Reach for your own words / tell the world who you are / and how you will make it better.” Each word is strung together on separate pieces of paper. Encourage kids to write four or five words that they like on separate index cards. They may be familiar, happy, caring, loud, funny and so on. Then ask them to share what the word means to them.
Peter Hamilton Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of many books for children, including The Dot, Ish, and Happy Dreamer. His books have been translated into over twenty-five languages around the globe and are celebrated worldwide. In 1996, he founded FableVision with his brother, Paul, as a social change agency to help create “stories that matter, stories that move.” He lives in Dedham, Massachusetts, with his family. Visit Reynolds at his website.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
Another winner from the amazing Peter Reynolds!!
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Yes, it certainly is! It is perfect for classrooms.
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This sounds marvelous. And “spindiddly” is my new favorite word.
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Peter has hit another home run with the Word Collector! Yes, I am fond of that word too! I read it a few years ago in a book and loved it immediately.
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LOVE Peter Reynolds & the joy of words! What a perfect book to showcase!
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Me too! There is so much joy in the words and illustrations of all of his books. This one is a new favorite.
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He is an amazing author. I love that it inspires a curiosity for words and a love of language. Seems like the perfect book to launch a kid who loves words – “spindiddly” – into reading. Thanks for highlighting it. 🙂
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Peter’s books are always inspiring, imaginative and packed with fun! Spindiddly is a word I added to my review as I read it in a book years ago and never forgot it! Kids would really have fun with this book at school!
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I’ve been wanting to read this book. It reminds me of those magnetic word tiles for the fridge and how you can make a story or poem at will. Gotta check this out!
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Yes, I remember those! I know you will love it, Jilanne! Such a joyful book!
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I have my review scheduled for June. There is so much heart and encouragement in every one of his books
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I agree with you! I find his body of work joyful for children. Look forward to your review! We want to spread the love for this book!
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Words are a great thing to collect. Not as delicious as socks, but I’m limited because of being a doggie…..
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Sock is a great word for you Cupcake — and so is your name!
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Yes, I LOVE this new Peter H. Reynolds book! Awesome review, Pat. Oh, and belated birthday blessings!
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This book is a gem and will be loved by kids and teachers. Thank you for the birthday wishes!
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A child after my own heart!
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If you haven’t read the story, you will love it. Make sure you check out the back pages.
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Jerome sounds endearing and I’ve not read the book. So many special messages. Such a joy to celebrate words! Thanks for introducing me to this story.
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I think you’d enjoy this book. Definitely perfect for gift giving — to both kids and adults. And, teachers would have fun using the book in the classroom.
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A winning story there, Pat. With the remarkable Peter Reynolds. Love the cover too.
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This is such a fun book both kids and adults. You always win, win, win with Reynolds’ books.
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I’m off to buy this book for one of my grandsons, a reluctant 7-year-old reader. Maybe he’ll ‘get’ the importance of words, and the fun of them, by reading this book!
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Your grandson will love this book! I’m giving a copy as a gift. There are so many fabulous Reynolds books for every kind of reader.
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I’ve ordered it! xo
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I love Reynolds books – all of ’em. Can’t wait to read this one.
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I am a fan. Had the opportunity of studying with him in 2012 and learned so much. He’s a creative teacher and a lot of fun!
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