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The Word Collector
by
Some people collect stamps.
Some people collect coins.
Some people collect art.
And Jerome?
Jerome collected words . . .
In this extraordinary new tale from Peter H. Reynolds, Jerome discovers the magic of the words all around him -- short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multisyllable words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower.
Fro ...more
Some people collect coins.
Some people collect art.
And Jerome?
Jerome collected words . . .
In this extraordinary new tale from Peter H. Reynolds, Jerome discovers the magic of the words all around him -- short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multisyllable words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower.
Fro ...more
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Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
January 30th 2018
by Orchard Books
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I am a person who loves words. I love those word-a-day calendars as a kid. I thought it was fun to try and find ways to use that word during the day. When I am reading, I do like to pick up new words and phrases. My problem is I don’t write them down and I do forget them rather quickly now. Anyway, this book is about people who collect things. Jerome just happens to collect words he loves. He has scrapbooks and notebooks full of words organized into category and subject. One day, he drops all th
...more

Words tend to either erect or obliterate boundaries between human beings. Thankfully, this is a book about forming bonds in the most unusual way.
Jerome collected words.
Whereas most of Jerome's peers collect video games, cards, devices, etc., his goal is to collect as many words as he can. The acts of reading and searching for meaning become essential for his growth and well-being because he wants them to be like that. He found joy in what others usually perceive as being frivolous, and it genuin ...more
Jerome collected words.
Whereas most of Jerome's peers collect video games, cards, devices, etc., his goal is to collect as many words as he can. The acts of reading and searching for meaning become essential for his growth and well-being because he wants them to be like that. He found joy in what others usually perceive as being frivolous, and it genuin ...more

I really loved the beginning of this book - and even the middle! (Get this kid a magnetic poetry set, stat!) I love that he started stringing words together and making poetry and songs.
But then... it got a little....preachy? It became much less a story about a "real" boy who liked to learn new words and more about an allegorical boy who changed the world, one word at a time. Which... if it had *started* like that, it wouldn't have annoyed me at all. But as written, it was a little jarring. ...more
But then... it got a little....preachy? It became much less a story about a "real" boy who liked to learn new words and more about an allegorical boy who changed the world, one word at a time. Which... if it had *started* like that, it wouldn't have annoyed me at all. But as written, it was a little jarring. ...more

It was so beautiful.
I just can't ignore the reading done by Obamas. ...more
I just can't ignore the reading done by Obamas. ...more

Read by Barack and Michelle Obama.
The story is gorgeous and, of course, read by this amazing pair with their clear, beautiful voices amplified the experience.
How I miss them.
Link to the video ...more
The story is gorgeous and, of course, read by this amazing pair with their clear, beautiful voices amplified the experience.
How I miss them.
Link to the video ...more

This was a sweet sweet book about words, and about Jerome who collects words.
Words are little gems, and collects and organizes them. And then he fell and all of his words went flying. He starts stringing them together and playing with them with less order. In the end he sends them to the wind. And other kids are starting to play with them.
One of the best books that I know is The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. It is so much better than any other elementary school age (and above). It is play ...more
Words are little gems, and collects and organizes them. And then he fell and all of his words went flying. He starts stringing them together and playing with them with less order. In the end he sends them to the wind. And other kids are starting to play with them.
One of the best books that I know is The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. It is so much better than any other elementary school age (and above). It is play ...more

Each year my family reads all the Goodreads-award-nominated picture books, and we have been doing this for years. Everyone rates each book and adds a comment and it may (or may not) affect my overall rating. This is book #8 (of 20) of 2018, and yet another example of my separation from my own family on some of these books. This is the first year this is happening, dunno why. In spite of my low, (mean) personal review, I upped the rating to reflect the family reading.
Tara: 5 stars. I love this! L ...more
Tara: 5 stars. I love this! L ...more

The premise of Reynolds' most recent picture book is intriguing...and older listeners and readers are sure to be captivated by the various words Jerome collects, as well as their pronunciations and definitions. Unfortunately, the second half of the story doesn't quite match the authenticity of its beginning; the parting message is a familiar chorus rampant throughout most of Reynold's tales. The illustrations are whimsical and inviting, inclusive and diverse...but, unfortunately, the story as a
...more

I really like using this book as an example of expansive vocabulary when I am doing storytime. I've taken it to my children's school and a read-aloud and then added in some vocabulary activities like vocab guessing games (using the words from the book), or (re)naming a color, or found word poems. The instructional options for this book are truly limitless. Other great vocabulary building books are Animalia by Graeme Base, 13 Words by Lemony Snicket, and The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spire
...more

Mar 14, 2018
Barbara
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
community,
literacy,
word-lovers,
humor,
reading,
hobbies,
picture-book,
writing,
friendship
In this picture book, Peter H. Reynolds does for words and literacy exactly what he's accomplished with his previous titles on art, he makes them cool and wraps them in a clever, philosophical package.
Jerome collects words, and he even organizes them into categories. But an accident leads to the realization that sometimes words that seem to have no relationship to each other actually gain new meaning when placed by different, unrelated words. Not only does he start to realize the power of words ...more
Jerome collects words, and he even organizes them into categories. But an accident leads to the realization that sometimes words that seem to have no relationship to each other actually gain new meaning when placed by different, unrelated words. Not only does he start to realize the power of words ...more

The importance and beauty of words and how putting some together can be powerful and poetic!

I'm calling this book poetry because it speaks to my soul in that way.
The main story is about a boy who collects words. It's how the words are kept, expressed, and strung together that matter. I was enraptured by reading the words scattered on the page, and I Loved how the pairings sang. I want to collect words too, and see what happens when you throw them down together in a happy jumble.
We won't worry too much about how much littering occurred with all those words in the wind. :)
This is such ...more
The main story is about a boy who collects words. It's how the words are kept, expressed, and strung together that matter. I was enraptured by reading the words scattered on the page, and I Loved how the pairings sang. I want to collect words too, and see what happens when you throw them down together in a happy jumble.
We won't worry too much about how much littering occurred with all those words in the wind. :)
This is such ...more

Really disappointing. I read this aloud (to my 15 year old daughter) and partway through I started adding snarky asides about how this kid is really annoying and LITTERING - stop throwing your little bits of paper all over, Jerome! That's LITTER! Stop it! Also, poetry and music is more than just random words strung together; I thought it was weird to imply that you will naturally become a beloved poet and musician just because you collect words.
...more

Jerome collects words.
Serendipitously he drops his words. He makes poetry.
"Some of his simplest words were his most
powerful." "I understand." "I'm sorry."
"Thank you." "You matter."
One day he empties his collection into the wind.
"Wonderful."
"Surprising."
"Clever."
These are the words I use to describe this book. ...more
Serendipitously he drops his words. He makes poetry.
"Some of his simplest words were his most
powerful." "I understand." "I'm sorry."
"Thank you." "You matter."
One day he empties his collection into the wind.
"Wonderful."
"Surprising."
"Clever."
These are the words I use to describe this book. ...more

I can't really recommend this book to anyone because of the ending. While the beginning would rate a 4, the end was a huge mistake that I am sorry other readers have ignored. Really littering is okay to teach children? Really Peter H. Reynolds couldn't think of an alternate ending?
...more


This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds, a love letter to the power and passion of words.
Jerome, like many kids his age, loves to collect. But while others may collect comic books or stamps, Jerome collects words. Words he hears, words he reads, words that sound funny or appealing, words he doesn’t know the meaning of yet, short words, long words, descriptive w ...more

Words are a wonderful thing. Without them we wouldn’t have self-expression, identify our favorite foods or even say hello to a friend. But, can words be collected like stamps, coins or even art? Of course, they can according to Jerome.
Whenever Jerome here’s a word that sounds interesting, he would write it down on a piece of paper. Jerome was a word collector and he loved it. He liked the word Willow from a poster at a tea shoppe. He wrote down Emerald after reading The Wizard of Oz. He thought ...more
Whenever Jerome here’s a word that sounds interesting, he would write it down on a piece of paper. Jerome was a word collector and he loved it. He liked the word Willow from a poster at a tea shoppe. He wrote down Emerald after reading The Wizard of Oz. He thought ...more

Jun 05, 2019
Emily Keebler
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
children-s-literature,
state-award-books
1. Today we will be reading about a collector. A collector is a person who likes to keep a lot of a certain thing, called a collection. I like to collect books, for example. Collectors often spend time taking care of their collection. For example, I like to keep my books in a certain order. While we read let's see what is being collected and how it is being taking care of.
2. Provide important background information, share a personal connection.
3. I chose to provide background information about ...more
2. Provide important background information, share a personal connection.
3. I chose to provide background information about ...more

The Word Collector written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. The text and word pictures were designed by the author.
Jerome, the main character, is a collector of words. He has created books and books of word cards. These books are arranged in categories. One day, he slips, and the words cards go flying.
From the jumble, Jerome realizes he can mix words to make poem and songs that will make other people happy. The words in this book are interesting and many are even challenging. Students can ...more
Jerome, the main character, is a collector of words. He has created books and books of word cards. These books are arranged in categories. One day, he slips, and the words cards go flying.
From the jumble, Jerome realizes he can mix words to make poem and songs that will make other people happy. The words in this book are interesting and many are even challenging. Students can ...more

This clever picture book would be great to share with young readers who love learning new words. And for those children who maybe aren’t particularly interested in vocabulary, this book certainly would inspire them to read and listen a little more closely. The little boy in this story loves collecting all sorts of words. He organizes them and makes special boxes and scrapbooks for them. When an accident mixes the words up, Jerome sees an opportunity to create new stories, poems, and songs. This
...more

A book that gives you the warm and fuzzies particularly when you are a word collector yourself. Who doesn’t love words and their meanings and sounds and significance? Jerome is such a boy and when he collects, they get jumbled up in a fall, but then he realizes there is nothing better than releasing them for everyone else to enjoy.
It’s heartwarming and illustrated with an appreciation for words and the character. Plus the colors are to die for. I’m certainly adding a few to my HS collection.
It’s heartwarming and illustrated with an appreciation for words and the character. Plus the colors are to die for. I’m certainly adding a few to my HS collection.

I read it. I got chills / teared up a bit. I bought it. I know so many black and brown men/humans like this (word collectors and thinkers!) in my life, and I LOVE seeing them represented. It felt like reading about my loved ones and celebrating how delightfully bright they are.. It’s that moment of representation when it hurts and feels good because the weight hits you that you haven’t gotten to see that reflected to you yet. I love this book. Keepsies. Everyone should have this one for keepsies
...more

A beautiful story about the power of words. The illustrations are so wonderful and so welcome to see the main character as someone who is brown and is valued in the story (it is so sad how infrequent this is). I love this story, the words, the bright colorful clothes the characters wear, and the engaging imagery the illustrations tell. I also love the last page of the book and the question it poses to the reader.

This is a joyful story about words and the boy, Jerome, who collects them and, ultimately shares them.
At first, he keeps his words organized. One day, he slips and his notebooks of organized words go flying and become "jumbled."
"Words he had not imagined being
side by side..."
become poetry and music.
And this is not the end of Jerome's story. ...more
At first, he keeps his words organized. One day, he slips and his notebooks of organized words go flying and become "jumbled."
"Words he had not imagined being
side by side..."
become poetry and music.
And this is not the end of Jerome's story. ...more
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Peter Hamilton Reynolds is an author and illustrator of children's books and is the co-Founder and CEO of educational media company FableVision.
...more
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