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Hello Poets and happy Friday!
One of the books I've read for this year's Battle of the Books contest is A First Time for Everything, by Dan Santat.
Santat is an author illustrator known for picture books such as Beekle and, After the Fall. I highly recommend taking a peek at these even if you aren't still a kid. Santat is a master of knowing when and how to trust an audience.
If it weren't for Battle of the Books, I wouldn't have read A First Time for Everything. It's a graphic novel and I don't usually add GN's to my TBR pile. I love words--and picturing what the words paint in my mind. GN's are so image based that I don't typically seek them for satisfying story.
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| https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250322081/afirsttimeforeverything/ |
However, there is a reason that A First Time for Everything was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2023. Santat's story isn't simply a comic. It's a sweet, funny, and smart coming of age story that sneaks in A.A. Milne's, Spring Morning.
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| https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250322081/afirsttimeforeverything/ |
The poem first shows up as a horrendous I-wish-the-ground-would-open-up-and-swallow-me middle school recitation moment. Then, Milne's nostalgic rhymed stanzas come back to Santat at a time that he can appreciate and make a part of himself. Isn't that just like growing up?
As an adult with hindsight, Spring Morning as a story element rings true. The poem becomes something I share with Santat. I'm delighted that readers of this book in my middle school will not only enjoy a great graphic novel, but a memoir with poetic heart.
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| Read the rest here: https://allpoetry.com/Spring-Morning |
The next time you are visiting your public library, I recommend a stroll through the young adult section to find A First Time for Everything. Enjoy Santat's smart, graphic novel and see how poetry sneeks in for our next generation to enjoy.
I am back from my travels and plugged into Poetry Friday this weekend. I look forward to catching up with everyone starting with our host for this weekend's round-up, Karen Edminsten. Thanks for hosting, Karen!
You've hooked me! I'm off to see if our library has A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING! It sounds amazing, Linda. Thanks for sharing it and helping me broaden my GN horizons. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Dan Santat!! I don't tend to read graphic novels either, but I do try to keep up to date with new releases so I can connect them with patrons. :)
ReplyDeleteDear Linda, AFTER THE FALL is one of my most favorites! It's strange how GNs are like poetry in their brevity, but the opposite of poetry in their lack of white space. I have a stack of favorite GNs that I love for their story, but they aren't books I hug to my chest I guess because the format overwhelms me? Of course others love the format, so I'm delighted they exist! xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a good pairing!! I LOVED A First Time for Everything and felt like it captured the emotional terrain of middle school as well as anything I've ever read.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for introducing Santat's A First Time for Everything. It is such a powerful book for middle school children to read. I spent at least a 1/2 hour sifting through this GN available on line, reading its reviews, and checking out the other Santat books. Santat is an amazing author who turns a real life story into a must read for students. Once again thank you for a morning read.
ReplyDeleteAh, that sounds like a great book, Linda. Thanks for sharing it, and for reminding us of the Milne poem. Sweet!
ReplyDeleteA FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING is still just one of my favorite books, and I thought he couldn't surprise me after AFTER THE FALL. Dan Santat's emotionally resonant writing and art is treasure we need to share widely. Thanks for reminding me of why I love him today.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good read and I love that he fit some poetry in there too, thanks for reviewing it Linda!
ReplyDeleteI love the joy and humor in Milne’s poetry! I’d love to check out these GNs. I don’t usually read them and need to read some. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check this book out, Linda. I am a very word-based reader and comprehender of stories as well (just had a convo with my 25 yo son about Audible), but I appreciate the craft of being able to create a GN. And middle school is such a difficult age - finding where one fits or "what" one is doing is a near-universal experience. Very relatable. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this thoughtful peek into this book, Linda, and for sharing the Milne poem. I still find myself intrigued by graphic novels for all ages, with their combination of image and text inseparably (is that a word?) telling the story. Welcome back to beginning-of-school land!
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