Finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.
— William Shakespeare
Don’t read this new book unless you like imagining being things you’re not, like birds, honeybees, acorns and snails. If you do like the idea of rousing roosters like the dawn, dazzling the night like the moon or polka-dotting sidewalks like rain, then you will love Things to Do, by Elaine Magliaro, illustrated by Catia Chien, Chronicle Books, 2016.
Every page is a symphony of imagination, with the music of color and poetry conducted by a master wordsmith, in a theatre of the fantastic designed by an artist who brings childhood to vivid life.
Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: Happy Poetry Friday and thanks to Buffy Silverman for hosting! Having finished a major novel edit, several people are reading it for another critique session, and I feel so lucky and blessed to have received wonderful feedback already. Yay! I’ll be back at it in a week or two.
30 thoughts on “A Book by the Brook — Things To Do”
Comments welcome!
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
I do so want to read this symphony of imagination! Thanks for sharing your review and reminding me that I need to track down a copy!
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I hope you’ll look at it. It’s lovely. It will make you smile.
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“A symphony of imagination” and “an artist who brings childhood to vivid life” are exactly right. It’s a beautiful book for sure. Well done plowing through your novel edit, Brenda!
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Thanks, Michelle. I hope your summer of changes brings you to a better writing place by fall. 🙂 More time, more energy and more gusto.
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Many, many congrats on finishing a novel! That is awesome news. How do you keep up with it all? I whole heartedly agree with you about Things to Do! It’s a really special book by a master wordsmith.
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Thanks, Linda. It’s not easy! I have a critique group this morning, and I have to RUN! 🙂
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This is one of my favorite books and always a hit with students. The poems simply invite kids (and adults) to create their own versions. Just this morning I was drafting a Things to Do poem in my notebook. Such fun!
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Elaine’s book is a perfect gem. I can see that it would inspire endless wonder about the ordinary things.
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Fun intro into Elaine’s book, “Things to do!” Congrats on finishing the edit on your novel, and good luck with its journey!
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING TO WISH FOR!
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Yes! I wish for the energy to make the most of it, too. 🙂
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And I managed to avoid slamming myself, being slightly egocentric, although tempted!
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Self-deprecation lets us believe we’re humble. But are we?
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Thanks so much, Brenda! I’m glad you liked my book!!!!!
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Very much!
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I recently read Things to Do–it’s wonderful!
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So glad we agree. 🙂
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Sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure, and it is wonderful.
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It is a wonderful book, I agree, Brenda! And it recently won the Ezra Jack Keats Award!
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Fabulous! How did I miss that?
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This book sounds like a winner – lovely description.
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Definitely a winner! Thanks for stopping by.
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Lovely feature, Brenda. You’ve captured the book perfectly in your second paragraph. 🙂
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Thanks!
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I always enjoy Elaine’s “Things to Do” poems. She has really perfected the form!
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Her word choice is a delight.
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this sounds stunning.
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It was! 🙂
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