Zen Ties By Jon J. Muth 36 pages. Scholastic Press, c2008. $12.59

This little picture book has a wonderful message.  I read it to my kiddies and they loved the pictures and the imaginative characters.  They loved the haiku and fluidity of the language.  I loved the solid moral message.  I highly recommend this one.  My two year old loved it, my five year old loved it, and I even saw my almost eight year old sneaking a quick look!

I came across an old poem today that I really like.  I hope that you guys like it too.

The Reading Mother

Strickland Gillilan (1869-1954)

I had a mother who read to me


Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea.

Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth;

“Blackbirds” stowed in the hold beneath.

I had a Mother who read me plays


Of ancient and gallant and golden days;

Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,


Which every boy has a right to know.


I had a Mother who read me tales


Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,

True to his trust till his tragic death,

Faithfulness lent with his final breath.

I had a Mother who read me the things

That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-

Stories that stir with an upward touch.

Oh, that each mother of boys were such!

You may have tangible wealth untold;

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be –


I had a Mother who read to me.
 

I have been reading Poetry Speaks to Children to my Maddie. She LOVES it. When I’m tired of reading, she puts in the CD that came along with it and listens to the authors read their poetry. It’s magical! My sister-in-law keeps her CD in the car.  The children love listening to poetry on the way to school.