Welcome to the Wonder House

Gr 4-6--A stellar collection of 29 brief poems and numerous mixed-media illustrations. Arranged into 12 "rooms," topics range from curiosity and wishes to science, nature, and ordinary things. Lyrical free verse captivates with rich imagery and language. In "Room of Praise," poems limn the qualities of rain, paper, and web-spinning spiders, described as "quiet as air, patient as monks." Crisp and concise, with internal rhymes and alliteration, these poems beg to be shared and read aloud. Freedman's illustrations complement and add whimsical details, including a stargazing penguin and a scaly, red dragon glimpsed amidst a jumble of blocks. In "Room of Creatures," a murky underwater scene features a sleepy dolphin and the tentacles of an otherwise unseen octopus. A concluding note suggests that readers "look and listen to the ordinary and extraordinary all around you. You'll find wonder everywhere." VERDICT Thoughtful readers will relish the figurative language and imagery, and pore over the well-crafted illustrations. An excellent resource for teachers looking to inspire students in an array of topics, from science and nature studies to creative writing.--Marilyn Taniguchi

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

A 2023 School Library Journal Best Book

★ "Crisp and concise, with internal rhymes and alliteration, these poems beg to be shared and read aloud. Freedman's illustrations complement and add whimsical details, including a stargazing penguin and a scaly, red dragon glimpsed amidst a jumble of blocks...Thoughtful readers will relish the figurative language and imagery, and pore over the well-crafted illustrations. An excellent resource for teachers looking to inspire students in an array of topics, from science and nature studies to creative writing." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Set within 12 ethereal 'rooms, ' 29 poems contemplate the wonders of Earth, sea, sky, and beyond...The poets infuse their verse with vibrant, child-accessible imagery....This slim volume teems with STEAM extensions, from exploring poetic forms and devices to investigating scientific facts and hypotheses. A beautifully conceived invitation: to look, see, wonder." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Twenty-nine poems in a lovely mix of forms and styles populate this book, presented as a 'house' with twelve double-page-spread 'rooms.'...Freedman's intriguing mixed-media illustrations use wide washes of color in shades of blue, green, gold, or purple with subtle hints to the objects
referenced in the poems." —The Horn Book