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Sparkle and Spin: A Book About Words
Through harmony and rhythm, resonance and pitch, Ann Rand inspires readers to listen to the tuneful play of her text as it sings off each page. Illustrated with graphic designer Paul Rand's colorful, witty artwork, Sparkle and Spin is a children's classic (now happily available again through Chronicle Books) that reveals to young readers the power and music in the words they use every day. "Paul Rand did not set out to create classic children's books, he simply wanted to make pictures that were playful. Like the alchemist of old, he transformed unlikely abstract forms into icons that inspired children and adultsand laid the foundation for two books that have indeed become children's classics."
Steven Heller, author of Paul Rand
Steven Heller, author of Paul Rand
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1957
3 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 10, 2010
I'm oscillating wildly between giving it 5 stars and giving it 2. 3 seemed like a nice compromise :)
This is a book about... words and poetry, but not really. (I'm aware that's clear as mud, but bear with me here.) The author is seeking, I think, to define language and ideas without actually giving definitions. As an example, the first page runs:
What are words?
Words are how what you think inside
comes out
and how to remember what you might
forget about.
The book goes on like this until the end. And honestly, I'm not sure if I like it or not. The author has a gift of putting together language in a way that's friendly and makes the whole concept of "language" clear... but I'm not sure if she goes above the head of her audience or, conversely, is well too easy for them!
The illustrations are cheerfully retro (well, they were modern when this was first in print), no complaints there.
Check this book out of the library before you buy it. And you know what? If you like it, try Margaret Wise Brown's The Important Book. These two have similar styles.
This is a book about... words and poetry, but not really. (I'm aware that's clear as mud, but bear with me here.) The author is seeking, I think, to define language and ideas without actually giving definitions. As an example, the first page runs:
What are words?
Words are how what you think inside
comes out
and how to remember what you might
forget about.
The book goes on like this until the end. And honestly, I'm not sure if I like it or not. The author has a gift of putting together language in a way that's friendly and makes the whole concept of "language" clear... but I'm not sure if she goes above the head of her audience or, conversely, is well too easy for them!
The illustrations are cheerfully retro (well, they were modern when this was first in print), no complaints there.
Check this book out of the library before you buy it. And you know what? If you like it, try Margaret Wise Brown's The Important Book. These two have similar styles.
August 26, 2017
Videorecensione: https://youtu.be/_fCK1LhY50k
December 2, 2013
The book starts off by explaining how words are what we think and how we get them out. I love that is starts with that because I feel like that doesn’t get stressed enough to kids. That they are not just learning to read and write for no reason, but that reading and writing help you use words the way you want to. Words have power, and that is what I feel this book is trying to teach children. The book goes on saying, “Words are names, Words are how you feel,” and there is simple illustrations on each page to once again give the attention to the words. I would use this book to discuss author’s purpose, and ask students what they think the author wanted us to know. For younger students I would probably ask if they thought anything was important about words after I read aloud, and ask them to explain what they learned.
March 13, 2012
Rather inane and the art (by renowned midcentury graphic designer Paul Rand, the reason I read the book) wasn't really that great. Disappointing, but fortunately only took up about 3 minutes of my time.
June 28, 2013
This is a visually pleasing book but the text left me wanting.
October 25, 2017
Words, Words, Words! What words can be, how words look like, how words sound like, and what words can be used for are explained by the author and illustrator of this book about words. This is a great introduction book for young children who just start to learn vocabulary and that let children's aware that words are everywhere!
August 16, 2023
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I had never heard of this book but it is very cute. The illustrations are very retro and adorable, and it’s a great introduction to language for a young child
“What are words?
Words are how what you think inside
Comes out
And how to remember what you might forget about”
“Some words are gay and bright
And full of light
Like tinsel and silver
And sparkle and spin”
I had never heard of this book but it is very cute. The illustrations are very retro and adorable, and it’s a great introduction to language for a young child
“What are words?
Words are how what you think inside
Comes out
And how to remember what you might forget about”
“Some words are gay and bright
And full of light
Like tinsel and silver
And sparkle and spin”
December 11, 2017
What an excellent book about words! It touches on letters, nouns, verbs, adjectives, homophones, and so many other types of works. The illustrations are wonderful as well. They tell the story, but in more of an abstract way that will make the students have to really look at the pictures and think.
April 8, 2023
A wonderful picture book on meaning and purpose of words, accompanied by eye-catching illustrations by the author´s husband Paul Rand is a real treat for every picture book lover. It should be read aloud for its tunefulness and rhythm. I simply adore it!
July 29, 2024
magistral diálogo entre palabras e imágenes
July 29, 2014
I have I agree with other reviewers, I honestly don't know what to say or how many stars to give. The idea of this book, exploring what words are and how we use them, learn from them and emote from them is real and very rarely explored so clearly and truthfully. The artwork is not my style although I appreciate some of it was very clever and the artist is an internationally recognized star.
I think I might have to read this again after some thought!
I think I might have to read this again after some thought!
March 16, 2010
nyesel ngasih buku ini ke orang itu... (ahahaha... sembari berharap dia gak baca ini... how come?)
emmm... buku ini mencolok sekali cover belakangnya, kayak pelangi. buku anak-anak yang isinya worthy banget, even for orang dewasa (halah kenapa jadi campur-campur ini kata-katanya, gak banget deh!)
emmm... buku ini mencolok sekali cover belakangnya, kayak pelangi. buku anak-anak yang isinya worthy banget, even for orang dewasa (halah kenapa jadi campur-campur ini kata-katanya, gak banget deh!)
August 12, 2007
"What are words?
Words are how what you think inside
comes out
and how to remember what you might
forget about."
Words are how what you think inside
comes out
and how to remember what you might
forget about."
February 29, 2008
wonderful. paul rand is my favorite graphic designer.
September 26, 2008
Love the illustrations and all that it teaches you about words.
March 12, 2009
Colorful discussion of what words are, what they do, and how we use them.
May 31, 2010
Another wonderful book that is a must for your children's book collection.
July 12, 2010
I'm a sucker for words!
September 14, 2011
Crisp graphics and simply eloquent description of the power of words!
September 21, 2012
Minimalist illustrations with real sparkles on the book jacket. This is fun enough with just the silly illustrations and boldly colored pages. Maybe a good introduction to poetry?
May 7, 2013
Of course such a creative and unique book is made by Chronicle. A mix of whimsical drawing and collage drawing from different sources, and a unique text.
August 16, 2013
Great for vocabulary/poetry units.
March 9, 2015
Bibliografia sulle parole
May 1, 2007
everyone who loves Anne and/or Paul Rand...it is a lovely children's book for little/bigger kids.
December 31, 2015
Wittgenstein himself couldn't have written a finer treatise for preschoolers on semantic theory.
August 28, 2017
Love the mixed media illustrations
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews