Book Review of TONGUE TEASERS: Laugh-Along Songbook Origins – A Taste of the Poems Before the Music
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Poetry, humor, laughter, childhood, and language.
What makes really good poetry? Is it a focus on the things we all can relate to, like messy rooms, brushing our teeth, or wearing glasses? Perhaps it has more to do with the characters it presents, from books with crushes to a man who sails out to sea to avoid boring chores or a knight who never cuts his beard. Or maybe it’s the language in which these characters are written, filled with lively rhymes, clever similes, and a meter that trips off the tongue? Really, it’s none of these things – or all of them at once – because what makes really good poetry is the fun you have while reading it!
Poetry and rhyme are iconic features of childhood, from the lullabies and nursery rhymes we hear when very young to the witty and thought-provoking classics of Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, and Lewis Carroll. Reading poetry isn’t just fun; it develops important literacy skills in young readers, helping them to learn how language works. In this hilarious, quirky book of original poems for kids, zany characters work their way through improbable and wildly funny situations, all delivered through the catchy, rhythmic meter. Black-and-white line drawings add an additional layer of fun, embellishing details from the poems in unexpected ways (as well as being perfect for coloring in).
TONGUE TEASERS: Laugh-Along Songbook Origins is sure to be loved both by fans of the GiGGLE SPOON songbooks and just anyone who enjoys language and laughter. Sing them, share them, read them aloud – these poems are made to be performed!
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About the Author
Dr. D.W. Knight is a newcomer to the children’s publishing world, but he is not new to teaching kids. He holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Colorado at Boulder, taught middle school science, social studies, reading, and Spanish for eight years, and coached basketball early in his career. He continued his education to earn a PhD in Natural Resources and was most recently a well-loved professor at Colorado State University, where he was a published researcher and an accomplished public speaker. Dr. Knight is also a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor’s Society in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Outside the halls of academia and the classroom, Knight began writing poetry and short stories for young readers. His sense of humor and wit weave together stories and poems that usually deliver a good-hearted message or a valuable life lesson, and they can almost always be counted on for a good laugh. Knight’s writing style with its oddities, sometimes made-up words, and clever imagination are reminiscent of his childhood favorite, Shel Silverstein, and the lyrical genius of Walt Disney’s famed songwriting duo, the Sherman Brothers.
If laughter, comedy, and positive messaging are traits that define Dr. Knight’s work, they are also traits that define the man himself. Colleagues dubbed him “Mr. Positivity” for good reason! He exudes a joy and love in all that he does, he’s a genuine people-person with a thirst for exploration, adventure and lifelong learning. He speaks English, Spanish and Chinese with aspirations to learn several other languages. He has traveled the world and lived overseas in Spain, the Philippines, Peru, China and Mexico. He has also lived across the United States. He was born in Massachusetts, moved to New York, then to Hawaii, California, Indiana and Colorado before returning to Southern California. He loves the hustle and bustle of city living but also recharges his proverbial batteries in the great outdoors, hiking and exploring national parks and coastal hideaways.
For more information, check out gigglespoon.com.
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