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15th out of 37 books
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87 voters
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams
A Junior Library Guild Selection Willie loved to write - words gave him freedom and peace. But he also knew that he needed to earn a living, so when he grew up he went off to medical school and became a doctor - one of the busiest men in town! Yet he never stopped writing.
In this picture book biography of poet William Carlos Williams, Jen Bryant's engaging prose and Meliss...more
In this picture book biography of poet William Carlos Williams, Jen Bryant's engaging prose and Meliss...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
August 1st 2008
by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
(first published January 1st 2008)
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This book is intended for grades 3-6. A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams provides the conflicted occupational history of William Carlos Williams and his eventual decision to become a poet. It was a Caldecott Honor Book in 2009. Selected poems by Williams are on the endpapers of this book, set against a green background with linked squares. Thus, his poems serve as an entrance to his life. What is most wonderful about this book is the integration of text and illustration. I fe...more
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Oh, how I absolutely
love this book
adore it
for its simple
informative text
admire it
for the collage and
water color illustrations
showing the time
the world and
the spirit of the poet
who was a doctor
who healed wounds
delivered babies
and soothed
our souls
love this book
adore it
for its simple
informative text
admire it
for the collage and
water color illustrations
showing the time
the world and
the spirit of the poet
who was a doctor
who healed wounds
delivered babies
and soothed
our souls
Oh how I LOVE this book!!!!
One time, when my next younger sister was also my roomate along with eight other girls while we were undergrads, she left me a WCW poem in the freezer in place of the icecream sandwich I had been hoarding.
This is Just to Say
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
The illustrator (who was awarded a Caldecott Honor for this work) incorporated several of his poems throughout h...more
One time, when my next younger sister was also my roomate along with eight other girls while we were undergrads, she left me a WCW poem in the freezer in place of the icecream sandwich I had been hoarding.
This is Just to Say
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
The illustrator (who was awarded a Caldecott Honor for this work) incorporated several of his poems throughout h...more
This book has very creative illustrations that all fit so well with the topic and theme of this book. The cover page looks like a book about a man with lots of words is on it, the end pages have poems, the title page has a type writer that says that it is the story of William Carlos Williams, and after the title page is a portrait of a man. There are good cues used in the peritext to indicate that this book is going to be about a writer named William Carlos Williams. The pictures are creatively...more
I was not aware of William Carlos Williams until I was well into my 20s. We never studied him in school, nor did I run across him in college. So, I wondered, when I first heard about this book, if I managed to remain ignorant about him for so long, what appeal could he possibly have for grade school kids? His style, however, is accessible and he looks at everyday objects and happenings with new eyes and wonder (just like kids!) – maybe his words *could* speak to kids.
The book begins and ends wi...more
The book begins and ends wi...more
Melissa Sweet resisted the temptation to provide a representational interpretation of Williams' poems, instead purposefully taking a modern-art abstract approach. I appreciated this. While we do get to see a picture of a red wheelbarrow, for example, we do not have the illustrator telling us why so much depended on it. The images in Williams' poem are supposed to be evocative without being symbolic, and the verbs and adjectives are often where the poetry happens around these evocative everyday n...more
Appetizer: This picturebook biography focuses on the younger years of Willie Williams's (1883-1963) life as a poet--His childhood nature walks, his enjoyment of listening to his teacher read poetry, experimenting with writing his own poetry to deciding to become a doctor.
A poet herself, Jen Bryant uses lyrical language to share Williams's story. I especially liked that she called Williams "Willie" throughout the narrative, which helps him to seem more childlike and relatable than DR. WILLIAM CAR...more
A poet herself, Jen Bryant uses lyrical language to share Williams's story. I especially liked that she called Williams "Willie" throughout the narrative, which helps him to seem more childlike and relatable than DR. WILLIAM CAR...more
This is such a visually striking book about a poet who was also a doctor, William Carlos Williams, known for his spare verse about everyday objects and occurrences. And there is more than you can visually or textually process in one reading, but it certainly captures the imagination as it flows. Williams and his development as a poet are the subjects of the book, but it is conveyed in such a visual way that it underscores William's use of everyday things in his poems. Covers (or inside covers) o...more
This picture-book biography of 20th century poet William Carlos Williams captures many of the essentials elements of Williams' life and work: his early, enduring love of nature, keen eye for observation, and dedication to his two crafts--Williams' day job was that of a busy family practice doctor!
Melissa Sweet's mixed-media illustrations (including the interesting technique of using book covers as a canvas) add value to author's account of Williams' life, which focuses most heavily on his youth....more
Melissa Sweet's mixed-media illustrations (including the interesting technique of using book covers as a canvas) add value to author's account of Williams' life, which focuses most heavily on his youth....more
A nice autobiography of William Carlos Williams, who always had a musical ear and a penchant for writing poetry, and figured out early on that he wanted to write about ordinary things, unlike the subjects chosen by "the famous English writers he had learned about in school" (Bryant). What a cool thing about Williams. So often when you encourage kids to write, they say, "I've got nothing to write about," somehow dismissing the idea that you can write about what you know, what you see, what your o...more
I was drawn to this book not only because it would be a resource for my Language Arts class, but also because of the unique illustrations. The book will be a wonderful introduction to the poet William Carlos Williams. Jen Bryant has written a concise and clever biography of one of my favorite poets. Willie, as she called him in her book, was always interested in poetry; however, he chose to become a doctor because he knew poetry wouldn't pay the bills.
I love that he continued to write despite t...more
I love that he continued to write despite t...more
A River of Words follows the life of poet William Carlos Williams. From a very young age Williams wanted to write poetry, but knew he also needed to earn a living. He became a doctor, but spent much of his free time writing poetry. His poems are included throughout the story.
Even though this is a picture book biography of William Carlos Williams, I felt there were enough of his poems included to read it this week. Ever since I read The Red Wheelbarrow and This is Just to Say, I have been a big f...more
Even though this is a picture book biography of William Carlos Williams, I felt there were enough of his poems included to read it this week. Ever since I read The Red Wheelbarrow and This is Just to Say, I have been a big f...more
This story is a biography of the award winning poet/doctor, William Carlos Williams, that was awarded both the Caldecott and Charlotte Zolotow honor status in 2009 . The book describes the influences of his life including how he fell in love with poetry, yet chose to to pursue a more lucrative career, in addition to his writing. Williams poetry evolved from trying to copy other poet's styles to his own style in which he was influenced by everyday objects and focused his poems around them. The co...more
The story of poet William Carlos Williams is beautifully and creatively illustrated as one might imagine from the Caldecott Honor it received. Be sure to read the illustrator's note; I hadn't realized that so many of illustrations are made on the covers of old books! Very neat! I'm not sure the story itself touched me emotionally as some other biographies have, but I appreciated how many of Williams' own poems were incorporated into both the text and illustrations and it's an inspiring story for...more
Teton Co Call No: J Picture Bryant J
Julia's rating: 5 stars
Recently, I've had reason to rediscover the poetry of William Carlos Williams. My fellow library staffer Cindy, hearing me talk about "The Red Wheelbarrow," mentioned this children's book from the collection. I brought it home and - wow! - so glad that I did. The words provide a really excellent primer on Williams's work, and the illustrations are charming, mixing pencil drawings, medical text, words of poetry, to create energetic collag...more
Julia's rating: 5 stars
Recently, I've had reason to rediscover the poetry of William Carlos Williams. My fellow library staffer Cindy, hearing me talk about "The Red Wheelbarrow," mentioned this children's book from the collection. I brought it home and - wow! - so glad that I did. The words provide a really excellent primer on Williams's work, and the illustrations are charming, mixing pencil drawings, medical text, words of poetry, to create energetic collag...more
Loved this beautiful children's book about William Carlos Williams! The story is lyrical and yet clearly told. The illustrations, however, are what I found enchanting about this book. The busy pictures incorporate a variety of materials and many of Williams' poems. I love that the book devotes so much time to Williams' childhood and his creative process.
In addition to incorporating poetry in the text and illustrations, the book pairs a Williams timeline with a world events timeline. Both the il...more
In addition to incorporating poetry in the text and illustrations, the book pairs a Williams timeline with a world events timeline. Both the il...more
This picture book biography of poet William Carlos Williams is artfully done. The illustrations are beautifully done with mixed-media collage of colors and words, including snippets from several of Williams' poems. It also includes my favorite tidbit of information, that his many of his poems were shaped by his need to write them on prescription pads between patients. As befits the story of a poet, the text is lyrical and thoughtfully placed on the page. Needing to fit within the constraints of...more
Apr 19, 2009
Cindy Benabderrahman
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
mixed media artists, poetry lovers
Willie loved the outdoors. In fact, he loved the outdoors so much, that when the other boys his age tired of playing sports, Willie stayed outside, wandering around alone, enjoying nature, watching everything. He spent time taking naps by the river, wandering through the woods, listening to the sounds of the wild world. As he grew older, he had to hurry in order to accomplish all of the things he wanted to do in a day, and still make time for himself. Just like he loved to listen to the sounds o...more
This inspirational story was about a man who didn't let things get in the way of his dreams. This man, William Carlos Williams, always loved writing poetry and found it fascinating since a young boy in grade school. Despite the pressure from his family to provide money, he still found time to devote to his passion of writing poetry. After long busy days of house calls and delivering babies, he would stay up late and form beautiful stanzas that were inspired from his day to day life. He loved to...more
When I spotted this in the library, I couldn't pass it by. A children's book about William Carlos Williams? What a crazy idea!
The book is a pleasant surprise. Jen Bryant has created an accessible bio of the poet that both details his life but also gives us a sense of what he wrote, how he wrote it, and why. Smartly, Bryant doesn't try to ape Williams' style, but she does revel in details much the same way her subject did. Likewise, artist Melissa Sweet adds collage elements to her drawings to il...more
The book is a pleasant surprise. Jen Bryant has created an accessible bio of the poet that both details his life but also gives us a sense of what he wrote, how he wrote it, and why. Smartly, Bryant doesn't try to ape Williams' style, but she does revel in details much the same way her subject did. Likewise, artist Melissa Sweet adds collage elements to her drawings to il...more
2009 Caldecott Honor Book
I did not know anything about the poet William Carlos Williams until I read this book. It turns out that he won the National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize.
The illustrations were great. They were done in a scrapbook style and I liked the way that she used words in the pictures to convey Williams' train of thought when he was writing poetry throughout the book.
The text was also very good. I liked how the author emphasized Williams' love of poetry but also that he cared...more
I did not know anything about the poet William Carlos Williams until I read this book. It turns out that he won the National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize.
The illustrations were great. They were done in a scrapbook style and I liked the way that she used words in the pictures to convey Williams' train of thought when he was writing poetry throughout the book.
The text was also very good. I liked how the author emphasized Williams' love of poetry but also that he cared...more
Wonderful picture book biography of William Carlos Williams. Loved to write poetry, but also needed to make a living, so he became a doctor. And wrote whenever he could. While in med school, metpoets Ezra Pound and Hilda Doolittle, and the artist Charles Demuth. Demuth's painting, The Figure 5 in Gold, is inspired by a Williams poem. (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-o...)
Love Sweet's collage/mixed media artwork combined with Bryant's relatively spare but information filled text. I also like...more
Love Sweet's collage/mixed media artwork combined with Bryant's relatively spare but information filled text. I also like...more
This biographical picture book of poet William Carlos Williams has illustrations that are creatively composed using various mediums. Snippets of some of his poems are inserted into the illustrations and included on the end papers. It was interesting to learn that he was a medical doctor by trade and a poet on the side. The description of how he heard music and rhythm in everyday life, and how he became interested in poetry and came to the realization that his poems would be much more meaningful...more
It took me a few pages to settle into the style, but I ended up thinking that the illustrations were a great compliment to the text - and the poems that are included along with the biographical information. And wow, the blue spread with the excerpt from The Descent of Winter? I want that on my wall. I've always had mixed feelings towards Williams' poems, but this is a perfect format for presenting them. I'm not sure about the audience - kids who need to read a biography for school might not find...more
Written by Jennifer Fisher Bryant & Illustrated by Melissa Sweet, 2008. Interesting book which tells the story of a poet and his life. I was not familar with his poetry or story so it was very informative. It was interesting to me that he became a doctor first and practice medicine for many years. But he could not stop the desire to write poetry and later in life went on to do it. He became well know for his poety and rich meanings he brougth forth in them. Back page five time line of poetry...more
A picture book about a poet who loved to write! William Carlos Williams loved to write poetry ever since he was young but he needed to make a living so he chose a different career. However, he realized that writing was the only true thing he loved and enjoyed to do. This book would be perfect to teach students to chase after their dreams and choose a career path they would love to do. We can focus on why Williams had to choose a different path other than what he wanted and how that could have be...more
I found myself mesmerized by this biography of William Carlos Williams. Although it reads like a story, it does an amazing job of incorporating a large number of important aspects of the writer's life and his approach to the art of writing. The illustrations are complex and deserve a great deal of attention. I particularly liked how William Carlos Williams' poetry is embedded in the illustrations. Appropriate for second grade and higher.
Biography; 2008; Picture Book; ALA Notable Books for Childr...more
Biography; 2008; Picture Book; ALA Notable Books for Childr...more
The moon, the dried weeds
and the Pleiades---
Seven feet tall
the dark, dried weedstalks
make a part of the night
a red lace
on the blue milky sky
Write---
by a small lamp
The Pleiades are almost
nameless
and the moon is tilted
and half gone.
Loved this book. The illustrations are nothing short of genius. I have to honestly say I had not heard of this man so I really enjoyed the author's notes and the world events notes. Thanks Donna for thinking of me when you saw this book and passed it my way. That is wh...more
and the Pleiades---
Seven feet tall
the dark, dried weedstalks
make a part of the night
a red lace
on the blue milky sky
Write---
by a small lamp
The Pleiades are almost
nameless
and the moon is tilted
and half gone.
Loved this book. The illustrations are nothing short of genius. I have to honestly say I had not heard of this man so I really enjoyed the author's notes and the world events notes. Thanks Donna for thinking of me when you saw this book and passed it my way. That is wh...more
A River of Words; The Story of William Carlos Williams Review-Rachel Lundin
Everyone of us has a passion or a dream as a child although, sometimes that can be un-realistic we still wished that we had pursued them, maybe not as careers but, just for the sake of still holding on to our dreams and not losing sight of them. In A River of Words by, Bryant, Jennifer Fisher, William Carlos Williams is a young boy who has a knock for putting words together and making them into beautiful descriptive poem...more
Everyone of us has a passion or a dream as a child although, sometimes that can be un-realistic we still wished that we had pursued them, maybe not as careers but, just for the sake of still holding on to our dreams and not losing sight of them. In A River of Words by, Bryant, Jennifer Fisher, William Carlos Williams is a young boy who has a knock for putting words together and making them into beautiful descriptive poem...more
This story of poet William Carlos Williams is simple and understated--kind of like Williams poems. That said, I wouldn't call the writing spectacular (though I couldn't say that about the poet's writing--he's considered one of the greatest of the 20th century).
I really chose to highlight this book because of the illustrations--they are WONDERFUL! Using vintage books--both pages and covers--the illustrator has pulled together a wonderful collage and visual story. It's a visual treat that makes wh...more
I really chose to highlight this book because of the illustrations--they are WONDERFUL! Using vintage books--both pages and covers--the illustrator has pulled together a wonderful collage and visual story. It's a visual treat that makes wh...more
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Jen Bryant writes picture books, novels and poems for readers of all ages. Her biographical picture book: A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet,received a Caldecott Honor award and her historical novel in verse RINGSIDE 1925: Views from the Scopes Trial is an Oprah Recommended Book for ages 12 & up. Other titles include Pieces of Georgia (IRA Youn...more
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