Winter Reading 2016 I Wonder: A Book for children, parents, and other grownups

In "I Wonder," Jane Altman has created a poem that children will feel is familiar from the start. It has a similar structure to that of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" that will help young readers easily catch on to the rhythm of the text. Each verse opens up the possibility for discussion about the various animals that are mentioned, elephants, mice, bats, etc. And the illustration for the final verse also allows the child to paste a photo of him/herself into the book and making it very personal. There is also a fantasy story titled "The Glow-Stones," which portrays the ability of children to perceive the magical when adults only see the commonplace.

Within the second part of the book, Altman has a collection of poetry that is tailored for the adults in the family. Some are nostalgic in tone - pieces wondering over how children will grow up, how one would feel on the very last day of the one-hundredth year of life, or why youth fades away. Others reflect on more everyday occurrences such as admiring flowers or pondering why grass can be so much work to maintain. And then there is the comedic piece about an undergarment that t'aint fittin' any longer. The whole book feels like a peek into someone's journal and catching their changing moods from day to day. 

This is a book meant to be read together and enjoyed together.

I received a copy of the book from the author for review purposes.