 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams
- By Jen Bryant
- Genre: Picture Book
Common Sense Media says
A beautiful introduction to a stellar poet.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this gorgeously illustrated book will appeal to any child interested in words. While the target age for the book is older elementary school, younger kids may be fascinated by the pictures and poetry, too.
What's the story?
William Carlos Williams is a poet who also had a day job that kids can understand. While he stayed committed to his love of words and poetry, Williams knew he had to make a living, and so he studied medicine to become a small town pediatrician and obstetrician. He continued to write even as house calls and infant arrivals ate into his creative time.
Is it any good?
Beautifully illustrated, the book uses Williams's own poetry throughout the book to help kids get a sense of how he constructed his poetry and the way he incorporated his creative life into his day-to-day work. The many details and careful construction of the pictures will keep kids coming back long after they've read the story, and may even inspire them to take their own pen to paper.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about other poets and other poems. They can also look up other poems by William Carlos Williams. Kids can also write their own poems, perhaps modeled on Williams's style and then get out their art supplies to create a collage like the ones featured in the book.
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
| Author: | Jen Bryant |
| Illustrator: | Melissa Sweet |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Picture Book |
| Publication date: | July 7, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 34 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 12 |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
vote now
Will you read A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams?
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
