by Monica Brown
illustrated by Julie Paschkis
I was drawn to this book because a Communist Chilean poet seemed a peculiar subject for a picture book. Pablo Neruda wore a number of hats in addition to that of a poet; he was a diplomat, a senator, and an ardent proponent of all things Communist (which caused him to be exiled when a far right government took over).
This picture book does not contain a whole lot of text, but gives a very brief sketch of Neruda’s life. Overall, I felt it was well done, but it leaves a lot of questions—such as why he was so beloved by the Chilean people and why he was exiled—hanging. For grammar age students, that is not necessarily a bad thing, as it opens the door for kids to do more research on those questions.
Beyond a doubt, the thing that makes this book wonderful are Julie Paschkis’s illustrations. They are sweeping and colorful, which alone will draw students in, but the best part are the words. Incorporated into every leaf or sun and flowing through waving swaths of color, drift descriptive words in English and Spanish. I loved this focus on words because it stresses the importance of them for a poet.
Reading those lovely swaths of language also demonstrates for students that poetry doesn’t always need to be written in rhyming stanzas. This can easily lead to students writing some free verse poetry.
I definitely recommend this delightful picture book for grammar age students. Preschoolers would also remain focused on this one, as the illustrations would hold their attention.
Nonfiction (picture book)
Published: 2011
by Henry Holt and Company, LLC
Subject: Pablo Neruda, poet
Time Period: 1904-1973
Recommended for: Grammar students