Book Review of YOU GOTTA LOVE ‘EM
Davis, Tom. YOU GOTTA LOVE ‘EM. Fayetteville, NC: Old Mountain Press, Inc., 2009. 87 pages, trade paperback. $14.00. http://www.oldmountainpress.com/.
YOU GOTTA LOVE ‘EM, compiled by Old Mountain Press, includes poetry and prose by 65 writers. Members of North Carolina Writers’ Network-West published in this book include: Linda Smith, Dorothea Spiegel, and Brenda Kay Ledford. This anthology describes the children who try our patience and make life so worth living.
Pollyanna Dunn photographed the cover and Tom Davis designed it. A darling picture of Lewis “The Frogman” Dunn, the publisher’s (AKA Pa Pa Trouble) grandson on his first birthday graces the book and begs you to read it.
This beautiful toddler gains knowledge of his cupcake through his senses. During the sensorimotor period, from 1 to 3 years of age, children spend much of their time playing and experimenting with various actions and movements. For instance, Al Manning describes his grandson, Alex, exploring the world through movement: jumping, leaping, crawling, creeping, bounding, bouncing…
Another major development during toddlerhood involves learning language. Marian Kaplun Shapiro writes about her granddaughter collecting new words, staples for her cupboard. She acquires meaning for the new word: “Hat!”
At this age, children also enjoy listening to simple songs, nursery rhymes, and stories. Shelby Stephenson alludes to “Blue Boy” and “the bear licks gold porridge” in his poem, “The Orchard Boy.” Additionally, Dorothea Spiegel writes about a little girl wanting to hear “A Child’s Story.”
During early childhood, children learn there are certain standards of behavior. Joseph J. Youngblood’s poem, “You Gotta Love Them,” describes this time of discovery, learning the Golden Rule, and how it’s not easy to be a young kid.
Tom Davis, publisher of this anthology, also tells about a boy learning standards of behavior in, “Demon Rum.” It’s a humorous story at Vienna’s First Baptist Church. During the revival, Rip, exposes where his daddy hides the rum bottle.
Additionally, Barbara Ledford Wright addresses her son learning patriotism at an early age. In “God Bless America,” John enjoyed playing with his toy soldiers. He could recite the Pledge of Allegiance at age 3 and sang, “God Bless America,” with only one mispronounced word.
Besides patriotism, the theme of “school” was covered by authors. Ruth Moose pens a magnificent story about a colorful principal who tap, tap, tappity, tap, taps, down the hall, and with her pointed red nail, motions children out of the classroom to discipline them. You’ll also read “School, the Early Years,” by Ehelena Jackson Brown. Blanche L. Ledford’s poem stresses the “ABC’s” and Brenda Kay Ledford recalls “The Lunchroom” at Hayesville Elementary School in her funny vignette.
This anthology includes work by 10-year-old Dylan Fox Atkins. His poem, “When Wind Never Fell,” won first place in a contest at Harnett Middle School.
Finally, YOU GOTTA LOVE ‘EM, introduces us to the wonderful, wooshing, warking, wewing, wantastic, world of children. (My spell check went wild when I typed these nonsense words on the computer). This anthology is one of the best books Old Mountain Press has ever published . It could even be incorporated into the Early Childhood curriculum at universities. For information about upcoming anthologies by OMP, or to order books, go to: http://www.oldmountainpress.com/.
Book reviewed by: Brenda Kay Ledford. Ms. Ledford holds a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Western Carolina University. She’s a North Carolina certified teacher and retired elementary school teacher.
Visit her blog at: http://blueridgepoet.blogspot.com/ and website: www.brendakayledford.com.
Davis, Tom. YOU GOTTA LOVE ‘EM. Fayetteville, NC: Old Mountain Press, Inc., 2009. 87 pages, trade paperback. $14.00. http://www.oldmountainpress.com/.
YOU GOTTA LOVE ‘EM, compiled by Old Mountain Press, includes poetry and prose by 65 writers. Members of North Carolina Writers’ Network-West published in this book include: Linda Smith, Dorothea Spiegel, and Brenda Kay Ledford. This anthology describes the children who try our patience and make life so worth living.
Pollyanna Dunn photographed the cover and Tom Davis designed it. A darling picture of Lewis “The Frogman” Dunn, the publisher’s (AKA Pa Pa Trouble) grandson on his first birthday graces the book and begs you to read it.
This beautiful toddler gains knowledge of his cupcake through his senses. During the sensorimotor period, from 1 to 3 years of age, children spend much of their time playing and experimenting with various actions and movements. For instance, Al Manning describes his grandson, Alex, exploring the world through movement: jumping, leaping, crawling, creeping, bounding, bouncing…
Another major development during toddlerhood involves learning language. Marian Kaplun Shapiro writes about her granddaughter collecting new words, staples for her cupboard. She acquires meaning for the new word: “Hat!”
At this age, children also enjoy listening to simple songs, nursery rhymes, and stories. Shelby Stephenson alludes to “Blue Boy” and “the bear licks gold porridge” in his poem, “The Orchard Boy.” Additionally, Dorothea Spiegel writes about a little girl wanting to hear “A Child’s Story.”
During early childhood, children learn there are certain standards of behavior. Joseph J. Youngblood’s poem, “You Gotta Love Them,” describes this time of discovery, learning the Golden Rule, and how it’s not easy to be a young kid.
Tom Davis, publisher of this anthology, also tells about a boy learning standards of behavior in, “Demon Rum.” It’s a humorous story at Vienna’s First Baptist Church. During the revival, Rip, exposes where his daddy hides the rum bottle.
Additionally, Barbara Ledford Wright addresses her son learning patriotism at an early age. In “God Bless America,” John enjoyed playing with his toy soldiers. He could recite the Pledge of Allegiance at age 3 and sang, “God Bless America,” with only one mispronounced word.
Besides patriotism, the theme of “school” was covered by authors. Ruth Moose pens a magnificent story about a colorful principal who tap, tap, tappity, tap, taps, down the hall, and with her pointed red nail, motions children out of the classroom to discipline them. You’ll also read “School, the Early Years,” by Ehelena Jackson Brown. Blanche L. Ledford’s poem stresses the “ABC’s” and Brenda Kay Ledford recalls “The Lunchroom” at Hayesville Elementary School in her funny vignette.
This anthology includes work by 10-year-old Dylan Fox Atkins. His poem, “When Wind Never Fell,” won first place in a contest at Harnett Middle School.
Finally, YOU GOTTA LOVE ‘EM, introduces us to the wonderful, wooshing, warking, wewing, wantastic, world of children. (My spell check went wild when I typed these nonsense words on the computer). This anthology is one of the best books Old Mountain Press has ever published . It could even be incorporated into the Early Childhood curriculum at universities. For information about upcoming anthologies by OMP, or to order books, go to: http://www.oldmountainpress.com/.
Book reviewed by: Brenda Kay Ledford. Ms. Ledford holds a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Western Carolina University. She’s a North Carolina certified teacher and retired elementary school teacher.
Visit her blog at: http://blueridgepoet.blogspot.com/ and website: www.brendakayledford.com.
Great review, Brenda Kay. Sounds like an excellent book. Having taught small kids I think I'd enjoy this book. Thanks for making us aware of it.
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