A Pocket Can Have Treasure in it

by Kathy Stinson, Deirdre Betteridge (Illustrator)

Celebrated children’s writer Kathy Stinson explores “what’s-in-what” concepts for young children. With a chorus of questions that encourage interaction, children will delight in playing with the language of spatial relationships, from a pocket holding treasure to a spoon with a face reflected in it. For one little girl, a day on the farm is full of familiar sights that lead to the unexpected. The barn has a horse in it … just like a house can have a “me” in it. A sock can’t have a head it in, but it can have a toe in it. A pond can even have a splash in it. Best of all, when Mommy comes home, she has a blanket that has a wiggle in it–a brand new baby. Joining charming pictures and a satisfying story with language-learning ideas, A Pocket Can Have a Treasure in It will hold the attention of parents and children alike.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2008

About the author

Kathy Stinson, author of internationally acclaimed Canadian children's classic, Red is Best and the TD Award Winner, The Man with the Violin, also writes novels, short stories, and nonfiction for young people of all ages.

Reviews

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

“A barn can have a horse in it…” So began the first draft of E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web (a beginning later changed to “Where’s Pa going with that axe?”). White’s original words, however, became opening lines of Kathy Stinson’s A Pocket Can Have A Treasure In It. A young girl living on a farm makes a series of simple but meaningful observations about the world around her. She reveals to us her discovery of how many things have hidden treasures in them. A shirt has a tummy in it and a spoon has a face in it, if we but stop, look and discover. But a special surprise is found in the wiggling blanket the girl’s parents bring home from the hospital. The best treasure, though, is found in the relationships the girl enjoys with her parents and grandmother, especially in the time the mother makes – after giving birth to read a story to the new big sister. This is a fun, touching and engaging story. The language is simple and spare, rhythmic and patterned – a wonderful read-aloud book. A series of questions also encourages responses from eager listeners. Deirdre Betteridge’s pastel illustrations are soft and warm, visual treasures of delight, discovery and intimacy. Throughout the illustrations, we see the unfolding of the background story, leading to the new baby’s arrival at home. One can wonder whether the young girl’s series of discoveries are inspired by her realization of the treasure found inside of Mommy.

Reviewed by Ken Kilback in Canadian Children's Book News
Summer 2008 VOL.31. NO.2

[Nell Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my opinion, this is a stupid book. It was pointless but a 2 year old can certainly find interest in it. It is about a girl who points out that a horse can be in a barn and a bird can be in a tree. The book then says things like a cow could be in a tree and the little girl says no. The illustrations are good and very detailed. I just do not find the story line entertaining and I would not use this book as a teacher myself. I suppose a teacher could read this for entertainment, I cannot really think of a lesson that can be learned.

[Diantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A Pocket can Have a Treasure in it" by Kathy Stinson. This helps children make relations to different items. Some of which include animals in a barn, laundry in a basket, etc.
The pictures are use soft colors and relate able.
I like the size of the book and think it will be nice to share with other kids. Would I read it again? Probably not.

[Blakeley Norris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to help students to predict. A sentence will start off by saying "A basket can have ________ in it." Have students look at the pictures to fill in the blank. This book also has questions like, "Can a tree have a cow in it?" Students can answer the question out loud.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the recommendation Tracy!

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

things that go together

[Miss Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes the "b" sound in the initial positions of words 17 times. Enjoy!

[Ebony Hargett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would use this story during a vocabulary lesson on "treasure" and what is a treasure. Good for kindergarten and first grade classrooms

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cute book but not suited for story time.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't hold my attention.