A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams

by Jen Bryant (Author) Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)

A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
In this picture book biography, Bryant's engaging prose and Sweet's stunning mixed-media illustrations celebrate the amazing man who finds a way to earn a living and to honor his calling to be a poet.
Select format:
Hardcover
$18.00

School Library Journal

Starred Review
Gr 36This stunning picture-book biography combines a lyrical text with wonderfully creative mixed-media illustrations in an impressive and personable homage to an extraordinary and accomplished man. Bryant's poetic writing"Gurgle, gurgleswish, swish, swoosh]. The water went slipping and sliding over the smooth rocks, then poured in a torrent over the falls, then quieted again below"describes beautifully how, as a child, Williams would lie peacefully by the Passaic River, listening to the sounds of the water; he appreciated nature and the ordinary experiences of life. Book pages form a background for some of the illustrations and prescription pads become the paper for the doctor's poetic scribbling. A lovely spread shows a display of constellations while in the foreground, the poet sits framed in the light of an attic window, with one of his poems about a night sky laid out on a book cover. Williams's poems, which appear in the book in a variety of colors and fonts as part of the art, are highlighted in uniform type with standard line breaks on the inside cover pages. A time line of his life juxtaposed with a list of world events, a brief author's note about his significance as a poet, and an illustrator's note that explains how Sweet researched the project are appended."Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA" Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Starred Review, School Library Journal, September, 2008
"This stunning picture-book biography combines a lyrical text with wonderfully creative mixed-media illustrations in an impressive and personable homage to an extraordinary and accomplished man."

Starred review, Kirkus Reviews, July 2008
"With plain words, appropriate to the style of this master of clear and precisely worded poetry, and brilliant images, Bryant and Sweet introduce Williams and his poetry in a fresh, accessible way.... It is entirely possible that this offering will not only acquaint readers with the man and his poetry but will also inspire creativity — Williams would no doubt be pleased."

Shelf Awareness, October 2008
.."..the passion of both author and artist for their subject shine through on every page—in the pacing, in the layering of the compositions and, fittingly, in the carefully chosen details."

Curriculum Connections, School Library Journal
"This gorgeous collage of words and images reveals bits and snatches of Williams's life — an ordinary childhood, a love of science and nature, a busy medical career, and a quiet obsession with poetry. The writer's words are incorporated into the colorful multimedia artwork, creating a lively, lyrical picture-book biography."
Jen Bryant
JEN BRYANT has published poetry, biographies, picture books, and fiction for young readers. Her last picture-book biography collaboration with Melissa Sweet, A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, was a Caldecott Honor Book. Jen lives with her family in southeastern Pennsylvania.

MELISSA SWEET is the Caldecott Honor artist of A River of Words by Jen Bryant, The Sleepy Little Alphabet by Judy Sierra, and Mrs. Harkness and the Panda by Alicia Potter, among others. She is also the author-illustrator of Balloons Over Broadway, which was awarded a Robert F. Sibert Medal.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780802853028
Lexile Measure
820
Guided Reading Level
W
Publisher
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Publication date
August 01, 2008
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF042000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Poetry | General
JNF007030 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Literary
Library of Congress categories
Childhood and youth
United States
20th century
Williams, William Carlos
Poets, American
Physicians
Parents Choice Awards (Fall) (2008-Up)
Recommended 2008 - 2008
Caldecott Medal
Honor Book 2009 - 2009
Beehive Awards
Nominee 2010 - 2010
Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens
Recommended 2009 - 2009
Delaware Diamonds Award
Nominee 2009 - 2010
Keystone to Reading Book Award
Nominee 2010 - 2010
Lupine Award
Winner 2008 - 2008
Cybils
Finalist 2008 - 2008

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