mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
Another picturebook biography which I came across having browsed Maria Popova's delectable selection over on her brainpickings.org website. Presenting the life of Cummings in verse (Burgess) and picture (Di Giacomo), Smallness sees a pitch-perfect collaboration bring together a delightful stroll through the life of this gifted poet (and artist).
The story starts in Cummings' New York flat, then it whisks us back through his enviable childhood (acres of space, doting, kind parents and a wonderful education) through to his time in the war and then back to Manhattan. Double-page spreads show both the time the story is set in with words and images whilst flourishes of dappled pictures reflect aspects and moments of the poetry and art he created at that time too.
This is a book of courage and following your dreams but also seeing beauty in the everyday too. It's pretty perfect.
The story starts in Cummings' New York flat, then it whisks us back through his enviable childhood (acres of space, doting, kind parents and a wonderful education) through to his time in the war and then back to Manhattan. Double-page spreads show both the time the story is set in with words and images whilst flourishes of dappled pictures reflect aspects and moments of the poetry and art he created at that time too.
This is a book of courage and following your dreams but also seeing beauty in the everyday too. It's pretty perfect.
dawnoftheread's review against another edition
5.0
http://www.unshelved.com/bookclub/2015-11-13#9781592701711
missprint_'s review against another edition
4.0
Really lovely early biography and introduction to Cummings' poems. The artwork and design are both great and compliment the text about Cummings and the poems that were included. Also has the full text of poems with dates at the back, a chronology timeline and author's note.
ruthailuj's review against another edition
5.0
e.e. cummings is the only poet I remember from my college lit class. We studied him and I read his novel.
What better way to talk about his poetry and life than by applying his style and playfulness to the illustrations and biography!
The use of layers, words, and pictures is great. I enjoy looking at this biography as mush as I enjoy reading it!
What better way to talk about his poetry and life than by applying his style and playfulness to the illustrations and biography!
The use of layers, words, and pictures is great. I enjoy looking at this biography as mush as I enjoy reading it!
thunderbolt_kid's review against another edition
4.0
I did not love this book but I did like it for what it was: a history of a poet. Recommend if you want to teach a young person about ee cummings.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
Love this biography of EE Cummings. The illustrations pair really nicely with the text, incorporating textual elements like words stamped into tree branches and puddles to show how Cummings saw poetry in the everyday things outside his window. The poems included showcase a variety of Cummings's techniques and all illustrate his desire to keep the reader's eyes "on tiptoe". This is a valuable addition to classroom and library shelves anywhere that poetry is studied or shared!
stenaros's review against another edition
3.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
As I associate Mr. e.e. cummings with very sexy poems, I was interested to read a children's book about his life. There was some amusing glossing over of things, and overall I found this to be a good intro.
As I associate Mr. e.e. cummings with very sexy poems, I was interested to read a children's book about his life. There was some amusing glossing over of things, and overall I found this to be a good intro.
jshettel's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book about the life of e.e. cummings! A wonderful picture book biography.
ajacks's review against another edition
4.0
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