Where My Wellies Take Me…: A Childhood Scrapbook with Poems and Pictures

Gr 3–6—This illustrated, journal-style story is comprised of Pippa's observations as she takes a walk around a small English village. Her handwritten notes are enhanced by poems and illustrations of the places, people, and animals she sees; as the youngster sets off, the accompanying poem by John Masefield, "Tewkesbury Road," appropriately begins, "It is good to be out on the road,/and going one knows not where…." Christina Rossetti, Ted Hughes, Walter de la Mare, and Robert Browning are among the other poets included. The child is a keen observer and explorer and shares important knowledge she has learned, like how to walk through a field of cows without disturbing them. On foot and on horseback, she records her encounters with spiders and chickens, a fisherman, and a farmer on a tractor. The verses have been placed to complement Pippa's musings, and this combination makes for a lovely one-on-one read-aloud or an unintimidating introduction to poetry. The book has the look of a nature journal/scrapbook, with layered, collagelike illustrations, primarily in browns and grays, on every page. Pippa's notes are written in cursive throughout, which may prove challenging to younger readers. This lovely, unusual book might not immediately find a broad audience, but with help, the right readers will appreciate it.—Marian McLeod, Darien Library, CT