Title: Imagination Blast: Poems for Children
Author: Vicky-Lyn Ashby-Harris
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media
ISBN: 979-8889634089
Pages: 42
Genre: Poetry / Children’s Books
Reviewed by: Barbara Bamberger Scott
Pacific Book Review
Creative author Vicky-Lyn Ashby-Harris has neatly and caringly constructed a reading, writing, inventing resource for children which allows them to participate in its completion as well as to enjoy its content.
The poetic offerings are simple, short, and smart, conceived to stimulate further thought and even evoke discussion, as this is a book that could easily be adapted by teachers of art and language skills. The opening work, “Spring Delight” gives praise to the blooming flowers and birdsong, inviting readers to “melt away in nature’s sounds.” Like other works that fill the book, it is enhanced by a full-page line drawing that suggests the application of the colors the poem speaks of. Leaving the wonders of nature at one point, the reader is drawn into the sights, noises and purposes of the “Cargo Train” with two dynamic drawings to decorate, while “I Wish” gives a blank page for readers to make a drawing that may express their own wishes, followed by a lined page to be filled in with their personal aspirations stated verbally. “United” comprises two four-line verses with blanks to be filled in at the end of each line, drawing from a list of rhyming words given at its start. Other concepts and images explored include sleep, play, birds, the “Deep Blue Sea” and “Night Sky.”
In conclusion, Ashby-Harris offers the broadly imaginative focus on “Rainbows,” giving young readers a chance to draw their own sky stripes, perhaps using the colors from words that grace the poem that introduces the concept.
Ashby-Harris has worked as an art teacher, a profession that doubtless evinced her talents as an illustrator for this chapbook; too, she has been writing poetry most of her life, having garnered many awards, with her creative pieces appearing in numerous publications. Her well-deserved recognition and diligent practice give light and credibility to this collection, which makes space and inspiration for its readers to launch their own artistic skills. By sharing her ideas in such a dynamic way, Ashby-Harris will help both teachers and students to utilize and enjoy her innovative projections and go on to design and share their own.
