Hope is a thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson illustrated by Tim Hopgood

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

There is a level of controversy to this book between two of my friends both of whom are children's literature experts. One thinks this book is perfect for a young audience as way to introduce this famous poem to children aged 5-7 and the other is horrified that someone would 'impose' images on the listener - children and adults, in her view, should read or hear this poem and form their own mental images from the lyrical words.

You can see inside this book here. Look for the gold foil in the book cover. I imagine this book will be part of a series - 'Picture a Poem' from the publisher Magic Cat - but so far only one title seems to have been released. 

As for the controversy - I think this book is beautiful. Tim Hopgood (see more books by clicking the label below this post) has added his delightful illustrations and I would happily add this book to any Primary school library collection. IBBY Australia members should note we will soon present a discussion about famous poems presented in single picture books and this new book will be one we discuss. 

Publisher blurb: Follow one brave little bird as it flies around the world, giving hope to people everywhere through its beautiful tune. Even a terrible storm can’t dampen this little bird – like hope, it continues unabashed, never asking anything from the people who take comfort from it. This stunning book, illustrated by best-selling artist Tim Hopgood, celebrates Emily Dickinson’s original poem and makes it accessible for pre-schoolers.

Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886) was an American poet known for her simple works about love, death, and nature. Living in seclusion for most of her life, she wrote over 1,000 poems, but only 11 were published during her lifetime. Today she is considered one of the most famous and beloved poets of all-time.

Here is another picture book version of this poem for younger children:

Moon River illustrated by Tim Hopgood

"Moon River, wider than a mile I'm crossing you in style some day.

Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker. wherever you're going, I'm going your way.

Two drifters, off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see."

Song by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini

When publishers produce books based on music and songs I do think it is important to include the CD so when I looked in the back of Moon River my heart sang. Take a look here to see the art and hear the song. Or you might like to listen to the Andy Williams version which is the one used on the CD. Tim Hopgood has made a series of these - Walking in a winter wonderland; What a wonderful world; and Singing in the Rain.

I am in a small recorder (yes descant recorder) group and one of our songs is Moon River. That was partly my motivation for purchasing this beautifully illustrated book last week from Lost in Books at Fairfield. I also think this book, which feels like a lullaby, will make a beautiful gift. 

In the opening scene we see a small child in bed. Their room is filled with moonlight. The beams of light touch the child's rocking horse and so the child climbs onto the horse with her teddy bear and they set off into the night - setting off to see the world. The beams of light become a river and after some rowing the friends rest on a cloud. The journey then continues across the world. You will see the Colosseum in Rome, the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Eiffel tower in Paris until eventually their long journey along the moonlight leads them safely back home.

I adore the art by Tim Hopgood - take a look here to see more of his books.

Our Big Blue Sofa

Big

Little Answer

Born from memories of a Southern, rural childhood, these classic lyrics evoke simplicity, dreams, and a shimmering journey with a “huckleberry friend. Kirkus

Our Big Blue Sofa by Tim Hopgood

One of our favourite things is bouncing on our big blue sofa ...

We're practicing for the Sofa Bouncing World Championships

What a discovery! This is a book with an extra and wonderful dimension - it is tactile. You can actually feel the funky fabric as it says on the cover. There are baby board books with this feature but I have never seen it on a picture book like this one.  Our Big Blue Sofa just has to be the perfect partner for Down the Back of the Chair by Margaret Mahy. I cannot imagine reading one without the other.

Our Big Blue Sofa opens with a list of found items such as a pizza crust, a pink paperclip, a pea, a gold ball, the letter Q from a game of Scrabble, a dead fly, $100 of Monopoly money and a tie - probably dad's.  A the back of the book there is a further list of more things found recently such as a pink sock, mum's car keys (again), dad's reading glasses (again) and dad's case for his reading glasses (again).

The kids love to bounce on the sofa and use it for imaginative play. It becomes a blue submarine, a blue hospital bed, a big blue hot air balloon, a big blue taxicab and a big blue elephant but all this jumping and wild play leads to disaster. What will happen to the sofa? You can see some of the pages here.

Our Big Blue Sofa, Tim's first book, was the 2007 winner of the Cambridgeshire Read it Again Award.  If you are looking for a copy of this book try to find one with the funky fabric. I am not sure if this feature is included with the regular paperback edition. I did enjoy the discovery that blue is Tim's favourite colour and Hopgood also seems such a fun name for a book about bouncing on a sofa.

Here are my thoughts about two other books by Tim Hopgood - Big and Little Answer. Of course you could also compare the art in Our Big Blue Sofa with the superb collage work of Lauren Child.

Big by Tim Hopgood

Yesterday I talked about Little Answer by Tim Hopgood.  I think Big is even better.  Size is such an abstract concept.  When a new Kindergarten child enters our school library it looks so BIG.  When students call in to visit after they have left Primary and headed off to High School the first thing every student says is 'wow this library looks so small!'

I think my favourite page comes early in the book when the little boy explains he is growing bigger and the evidence for this is that he can now see his face in the bathroom mirror.  The illustration is just perfect.

If you need a way to explain the way size is relative think about these words :

"To an ant, I'm a ginormous giant. But next to a bear I'm really quite small."  The accompanying text on these pages moves from large to tiny which adds to the fun.

You could pair this book with I'm coming to get you illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura which has the most perfect surprise ending.  You might also enjoy Counting on Frank and How big is big which was written by some students at a Primary school here in Sydney.  I mention Counting on Frank because it jumped into my mind when I read the words "Next to a popcorn I'm massive.  I must be at least 500 popcorns tall."  Here is a maths lesson everyone would enjoy.

I would also link this book with a very old title - Leo the late bloomer which is the perfect book to explore the idea of growing and changing with young children.

Once you have read Big you will want to set up one of those height measuring charts or use a door frame in your home as you explore the idea of growing taller with a young child.

Here is an interview with Tim Hopgood.  I can see we will need to add many more of his special picture books to our library collection.

Little Answer by Tim Hopgood

I am making a collection of books that teachers might use as a writing stimulus.  You can see the covers of some I have gathered.

Little Answer is such a special book and will be added to this collection.  I adore the pictures and the voice of the Little Answer himself. He squeaks hopefully, he tries to sound clever and he mutters the answer.

Perhaps you are wondering what is the answer?  Well it is

sausages

Sadly, though,  this is perhaps not the answer to questions such as :

What makes the world go round?
What makes the wind?
What lights up the moon at night?
Where does everything come from?
What are clouds made of?

"Everyone agreed that "sausages!" was probably not the right answer.  
'Don't worry,' said Snail.
'You'll find your question I'm sure of it.'
'You mustn't give up now!' insisted Snail as Little Answer wondered off on his own."

Here are some ideas to extend your reading of this book.  I think it would be fun to think of a little answer and then write a story using the structure here where the final question does match the answer.  Here is a whole unit of work.  I should also mention there are are answers to the deep questions listed above in the back of the book.  Researching and presenting answers to the 'big' questions devised by students could also be an excellent way to develop the themes of this book.