Title: Fingers and Paws – Poems for the Active Mind
Author: Christine Duncan-Laud
Illustrated by: Peta-Gaye Barclay
Publisher: Author Reputation Press LLC
ISBN: 978-1-64961-370-7
Genre: Poetry / Illustrated Children’s Book
Pages: 50
Review by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
Author and poet Christine Duncan-Laud has created a collection of very clever and original poetry in her book Fingers and Paws – Poems for the Active Mind.
The poems begin right away with the title poem “Fingers and Paws” in which the author/poet brings readers on a dog walk. She writes: “Five fragile fingers holding on tight / Four furry paws putting up a fight / Five more fingers grabbing the rein / Four busy paws scratching in vain …” Anyone walking a frisky dog can certainly relate to these observations! It was this poem, from the very start, which told me I was in for a treat.
Other poems with clever themes include, one of my favorites, “My Shadow and Me.” In this poem (my shadow) “Sometimes it goes before me. / Sometimes it follows me.” It concludes with, “But when it is not bright, My shadow disappears. I don’t know why – Maybe it’s afraid of the dark!” Such a logical explanation to children about their shadow, embedded with humor, and viewed through the eyes of a child, makes this a very memorable poem.
Other topics include: “Water Fun” where playing in the ocean is different than a bath tub; “I Can Go” showing the correlation of choosing the right method of transportation to get to the destination; “Alphabet in Reverse” where Z talks to A in such a clever way.
Each and every poem is placed on its own page with superimposed text over original illustrations exemplifying the theme of that particular poem, drawn in a basic colored-pencil technique. These details will certainly capture the attention of youngsters while reading, or being read this book. Both the art and poetry come together perfectly, making Fingers and Paws – Poems for the Active Mind educational as well as very entertaining.
Christine Duncan-Laud concludes the book with a listing of various terms used in poetry, and provides suggestions for the readers to read out-loud the poems, plus encourages them to even write some of their own poems. Fingers and Paws – Poems for the Active Mind is definitely a book for all family libraries to treasure for children to enjoy over-and-over again.
