The Wonder Book

The Wonder Book

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3.8 of 5 stars 3.80  ·  rating details  ·  95 ratings  ·  39 reviews
Hello, You!

So . . . this book is full of stuff I've always wondered about . . .

Like: Did Miss Mary Mack have friends who liked other colors?Could everything important about the world be summarized in a poem that rhymes?How do Moms always know when you're about to sneak a cookie?Who hid something under the Tooth Fairy's pillow when she was a little girl?

Inside you will find...more
Hardcover, 80 pages
Published February 9th 2010 by HarperCollins (first published 2010)
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Paul  Hankins
Silverstein. . .Prelutsky. . .Amy Krouse Rosenthal. . .or switch it/reverse it. Do it backwards. Weave in and out of each. But don't you dare miss THE WONDER BOOK for what it has to offer to children's poetry.

Whimsical and playful, THE WONDER BOOK is what children's poetry has looked like traditionally, and what it looks like today. Paul Schmid's black and white illustrations make this book look most familiar and most unique at the same time as he would have had to have illustrations the wonder...more
Dolly
Apr 18, 2010 Dolly rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: parents reading with their children
Reminiscent of Shel Silverstein's work, this is a very fun and humorous book of poems. There is whimsy, a little grammar, good manners, parenting themes and some wisdom, too. We loved it, especially the last poem, "Rhyming Summary of the Universe":

It's a bit of a challenge to cut a steak with a spoon.
Don't show up at 12:10 if you've agreed to 12 noon.

You might be your least charming when it matters the most.
It's not a big deal when you burn your morning toast.

Ask not "What will you give me if I
...more
Jackie Pino
Rosenthal’s poems will bring smiles to children and adult faces alike. Her lighthearted, silly poems are quite reminiscent of Shel Silverstein or Jack Prelutsky, although a few in this book do lack the punch that these poets seem to hit every time. This poet includes long and short poems, rewritten nursery rhyme poems, and play-on-word poems, just to name a few. Additionally, Rosenthal often plays with the format of her poems in this book, writing one from top to bottom, several in dialogue clou...more
Emily Beeson
The Wonder Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Review by Emily




This book is like a new (and shorter) Shel Silverstein book,and who doesn't like his poetry when they're feeling silly?




It is, at times irreverent, at times LOL funny, and at times, extremely clever.




Here's part of a word play from the book:




The bicycle couldn't stand alone

(It was two tired)




The TV couldn't sleep

(It was too wired)




And a look at the days of the week:




Sun Day

Money Day
Twos Day

Weds Day

Thirst Day

Fry Day

Sat-on-her Day




You (and your littl...more
Rachel
The Wonder Book is full of things that people really do wonder about, like "Who put money under the tooth fairy's pillow when she was a little girl?" I shared this with second grade classes and most of the poems and word plays were perfect for the age group. Some were a little over their heads and would be enjoyed more by older students or even adults. But the beauty of The Wonder Book is that you can open to any page and enjoy, there is no need to read from cover to cover. Students who like Jac...more
Mary Ann
One of the joys of working with children's books is finding a book that brings me right back to the joy of being a child. I adore poetry that makes me smile from ear to ear. I grew up loving Shel Silverstein, and I can still recall the dangers of picking your nose if you're Captain Hook. And I adore, absolutely adore Amy Krouse Rosenthal's newest book, The Wonder Book. It is full of pure, radiant, youthful joy - with a healthy dash of silliness thrown in for good measure.

The Wonder Book is a col...more
Robin
As others have mentioned, the illustrations are very reminiscent of Shel Silverstein. Overall, I'd say the tone is a bit sweeter, not as edgy. Some of the poems/concepts are spectacular, a few are just ok (which is why I couldn't give it 5 stars). I especially liked the periodic table (for those who periodically need reminding about table maners) -- but maybe that was the mom in me, and also the last offering: Rhyming Summary of the Universe: "Go jump in the puddle; just ring extra socks./ Think...more
Snorkle
The beginning pages of this book were pretty humorous and I thought I was in for a treat. But the more I read the less entertained I became. It was still an interesting book, it just wasn't as funny the further in I got. It also seemed like it was trying to copy some of Shel Silverstein's books, but it didn't have a lot of resemblence other than the black and white pictures and random poems. Some of the poems were amusing and while most poked fun at the world, it still wasn't super engaging. Whi...more
Angie
So I'm going to call this poetry although it's not all, exactly. "Typical Day" asks some of the funny and unrealistic (or, realistic, depending on which meaning you are talking about) a kiddo might ask during the day and the "yes" and "no" answers they usually get.

My favorite picture was the one where all the kids are in the tree wondering about things.


I did not know that "Was it Eliot's toilet I saw?" was a palindrome. Who thinks up these things? ;]


Lovely pen and ink drawings.
Heidi
Some of the poems I adored (especially "One of These Things Is Not Like the Other"). Some I really liked. Some I was OK with. And a couple I didn't really click with. But all together they are definitely the work of Amy Krouse Rosenthal. And they made me smile. I love the "boundaries" she pushes--in so many ways! And the artwork went well with the poems, simple yet humorous. A fun poetry book that I would recommend to the school-age kids.
Bekka
I didn't think I would enjoy this book, as I often don't like silly poetry for children. But this one was quite clever, and had lots of things that would make a kid have to think. I also really liked the simple yet effective illustrations. They were very charming and added quite a bit to the words. The design of the book has the words acting almost as part of the illustrations, and I thought that was really nice.
Natalie Pietro
Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paul Schmid made an amazing humors book for the young and young at heart. They sure were inspired by Shel Silverstein's works. The pictures brought back found memories of Silverstein's drawing and written words. It was a nice discovery to find this book hidden way back in the kids poetry section at the library. My son enjoyed the rhyming words and the quirky pictures. Very quick read.
katsok
I saw this book in the "new book" section of our library right after watching a video of Rosenthal on You Tube. To describe this book in one word I would choose "happy". It is just a nice fun book filled with things Rosenthal has always "wondered" about - poems, lists, palindromes, word games, observations, and so on. I will be adding it to my classroom library for kids to read and wonder with.
Jennifer
I have quickly become a fan of Amy Krouse Rosenthal as she writes (and creates) many things that are multi-generational. Her stories fascinate, entertain & teach.

This book did not touch me the same way so many of her books have / did. What I do like about it, very much so in fact, is the teaching & play on words that will be much fun to use with teen students.
Libby
Feb 12, 2012 Libby rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Jessica Williams
Shelves: children-s-books
A book of "one liners," thoughts, and hilarious poems. "A Rose by Any Other Name" - how to say the word "fart" in other countries - who would've thought? The poem called "Brat City" was to die for. If I ever have children they will get sick of hearing this poem.
Aerin
Schmid's illustrations make this book, which feels like a Silverstein wannabe. Rosenthal is an awesome writer, but it's like all her little scraps of humor got jammed into this volume which is not really a children's book, not really an adult book
Kate
Very cute, and similar to Shel Silverstein. I like the whimsy. I think certain kids will enjoy poking around and reading some of the poems aloud. I'm not sure exactly who I'll recommend this to, but I hope it finds an audience.
Lupine
Reminded me of Shel Silverstein -- a collection of fun and silly poems that speak of a child's experience. I especially liked the periodic table of manners, "For Those Who Periodically Need Reminding About Table Manners."
Karen Arendt
This book is more than poetry. It offers the reader new ways to look at everyday things, such as the periodic table of manners and common wonderings that would be a great warm up to discussion.
Tamara
Reminiscent of Shel Silverstein.

Thought it might translate well to an adult storytime, but it definitely would not.
S. Renee
this was the cutest.... my favorite line: "64 crayons you do not really need. To be happy with three is to be happy indeed."
Jennifer Kaap
I prefer AKR's picture books (Little Pea, Spoon, etc.), but this was still a fun collection (with plenty of wordplay).
Lynn
What a fun book! Would be a great selection for someone who is "forced" to read poetry for an assignment.
Becky
Such witty wordplay! Give to fans of Shel Silverstein (though it's not as dark as his stuff).
Marianna
Funny, irreverent humor. Good book of poetry for the older elementary crowd.
Marge
Jul 10, 2010 Marge added it
Shelves: non-fiction
Poetry - less famous friends of mary mack - fun to use in storytime
Shannon Kitchen
This is like a cousin of Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Janell
So very clever!
Perfect for Club Read activities
Sherri
This is a wonderful book for all ages. I fumbled accross it at the library and have extended time to keep it. I know I must get a copy of my own. It reminds me of my favorite Shel Silverstein. Read "Stop That! Be Quiet! Please Sit Still!" with your child, my 4 yr old loved it.
Franki Sibberson
Love the whole concept of this book!
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The Wonder Book (Hardcover)
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