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Red Sings from Treetops (by Joyce Sidman)

common sense media says

Exquisite poetry and artwork will excite kids of all ages.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this beautiful book of poetry will enrich any reader's life on so many levels. Its author won Caldecott Honors for her earlier book Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems as well as various awards for This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Red Sings from Treetops

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the poems. They'll enjoy reading the poems aloud, and finding the reds, yellows, blues, greens (and other colors) of spring, summer, fall, and winter in words and pictures. How does each poem use both color and the senses to describe each season? For example, in spring red sings, in summer it darts, jags, whispers along fingers, and so on.
  • Can you find the colors in the playful artwork? How do the pictures fit with the poems? 
  • Can you create any color poems of your own?

What's the story?

What's the story?
An angular character in a crown and robes strolls through the seasons with her (his?) dog, also wearing a crown. Through spring to summer to fall and winter, they interact with the world around them, noting the changing shades, and roles, of colors as they go. Poetry and artwork combine to tell their story.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This book is exquisite, with poetry and artwork that individually are absolutely amazing. Taken together, the result is even more unbelievable. Colors and seasons have never seemed so interconnected and vibrant. But nothing here really hits you over the head. The message is subtle, creative, and full of song.

Joyce Sidman's poetry is the real deal, not the sing-song kind of rhyme that is sometimes dished out to kids. And Pamela Zagarensi's artwork is clever, alive, intricate, and innovative. This is a perfect pairing, and a unique and beautiful book to keep on your picture book bookshelf forever.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
Publication date: April 6, 2009
Number of pages: 32
Hardcover price: $16.00
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 8
This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
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