Title: Once Around the Sun

Author: Bobbi Katz illustrator: LeUyen Pham

Summary: The poems in this book are autobiographical. Bobbi Katz derived them from childhood experiences, specifically experiences in elementary school. She writes poems for each month of the year, in which all have some relevance to school.

Ex. For January she wrote, “"when yellow pencils /​ in brand-new eraser hats /​ bravely wait on perfect points." She believes that each month carries a particular image and uniqueness within itself and now as an older woman who has graduated from college and is the work world. Her year still begins with what she wrote for January.

Theme: With the essence of the changing seasons, each month brings forth its own uniqueness in which people from all walks of life can relate to.

Literary Elements: This writing style in this book is very much tied to free verse. The word usage brings forth very vivid imagery for each month. In an excerpt from the June page, she wrote:

“June is
when the gentlest rustle
of a leaf outside the window
can drown out your teacher's voice
and
every word on the spelling test spells:
S-U-M-M-E-R V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!”

Characterization: She uses multicultural characters in this book as picture illustrations.

Plot: The plot is very flat, but with the imagery and profound detail in the book, you become captured by words and the pictures within. It brings forth an excitement about each month of the year, and I think whether as children or adults, we need a book that reminds us that each day we are living we are blessed because life has so much beauty to offer and I think this book captures that essence.

Style: Any style of writing that spills images into your thinking, I love. I believe writers should always try to do that in order to us as readers get a clear picture and also allow us to really connect with the poem more profoundly. Katz does that and more.

Evaluation/ Reflection: Again, I think this book is great, it definitely breaks away from the typical type of children’s books. It strongly promotes diversity; it shows people from all walks of life, whereas most children’s books don’t. Most only show once cultural aspect, and for the most part that culture would mostly be those who are white.

I also am a big fan of poetry, as well as writing that provokes images, and anytime a book can give me images that I can connect with, I begin to like them. I will probably read this to my kids or a particular class room one day.