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Things to Do
With playful prose and vivid art, Things to Do brings to life the small moments and secret joys of a child's day. There are wonders everywhere. In the sky and on the ground—blooming in a flower bed, dangling from a silken thread, buzzing through the summer air—waiting ...waiting to be found. In this thoughtful and ingenious collection of poems, Elaine Magliaro, an elementary school teacher for more than three decades and a school librarian for three years, and illustrator Catia Chien provide a luminous glimpse of the ordinary wonders all around us.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2017
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229 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 18, 2019
First-time author Elaine Magliaro explores what sixteen different things, from the sky to an acorn, would do in this picture-book poetry collection. Her expressive text is accompanied by acrylic artwork from illustrator Catia Chien, done in deep but muted colors...
I enjoyed Things To Do, which presents young children with a number of different perspectives and experiences, perhaps leading them to consider how all things are interrelated. My favorite poem was the one devoted to the honeybee - "Things to do if your are a HONEYBEE / Flit among flowers / Sip nectar for hours. / Be yellow and fuzzy. / Stay busy. / Be buzzy." Recommended to young poetry lovers, and to fans of Catia Chien's artwork.
I enjoyed Things To Do, which presents young children with a number of different perspectives and experiences, perhaps leading them to consider how all things are interrelated. My favorite poem was the one devoted to the honeybee - "Things to do if your are a HONEYBEE / Flit among flowers / Sip nectar for hours. / Be yellow and fuzzy. / Stay busy. / Be buzzy." Recommended to young poetry lovers, and to fans of Catia Chien's artwork.
February 20, 2017
I gobbled this book up; I didn't mean to. It was so very lovely--the text, the illustrations--that I couldn't stop reading it, even though I wanted to slow down and savor it, to treasure it, and take it in page by page, in little bits of beauty....
Instead, I read faster, and faster, and faster, devouring it, until I was word-drunk at the end and all dizzy with delight. I will just have to read it again! Hooray! Again!
THIS is what a rhyming book should be (nothing forced or clunky). THIS. Just this.
*sigh of delight* (ok, I just hugged this book.)
Instead, I read faster, and faster, and faster, devouring it, until I was word-drunk at the end and all dizzy with delight. I will just have to read it again! Hooray! Again!
THIS is what a rhyming book should be (nothing forced or clunky). THIS. Just this.
*sigh of delight* (ok, I just hugged this book.)
March 18, 2017
Surprised by this lovely book - haven't heard much about it, but it's a mentor text for sure! Although a story, really it's a collection of poetry. Love how they are centered around a child's day. Love the use of vocabulary.
July 3, 2019
The rhymes in this were charming.
(July 2019, library book)
(July 2019, library book)
October 6, 2020
My 8yo and I loved these poems! We read them in different ways for the fun of wordplay and emphasis experimentation. A good time was had by all. 😊
March 21, 2017
With rhyming text and beautifully painted illustrations, this lovely picture book celebrates the minutiae of a child's day. The poems in this book describe the activities of such things in the daily round such as birds, bees, acorns, rain, and spiders. This would be a great mentor text to help young writers dig deeper when writing descriptively.
November 13, 2017
Wonderful kid appeal,mand would pair well with NOW. Kids will have an eye-opening insight about appreciating and experiencing THE MOMENT!
July 4, 2017
An unassuming book that opens nature’s world to readers. Readers gently explore things to do if you are dawn, a bird, a honeybee, or even a snail. Written in a poetic voice, each section begins with “Things to do if you are..” Each section explores the subject, enlightening it with descriptors, some known by readers, some new to readers. The book invites readers to ponder the descriptions and experience them for themselves. Loose paintings rendered in acrylic, further invite readers into the story. The day ends with crickets and the moon that “Hang(s) in the darkness,” and “Dazzle(s) the night.”
A quiet book that brings awareness to, explores, and expands in detail the many things in a child’s day.
A quiet book that brings awareness to, explores, and expands in detail the many things in a child’s day.
May 17, 2021
Follows a girl through a summer day that turns rainy as she imagines things to do if she were a variety of things she encounters, starting w dawn and ending w the moon. Things to do if you are... is the pattern that starts most pages. Objects include mostly items from nature- sun, sky, birds, bees, acorn, rain, spider. But also includes objects from her home- eraser, scissors, boots. Very endearing!
February 27, 2017
Beautiful book of poems in different situations and parts of the day, all in the format of "Things to do if you are _____." Would make a great writing mentor text in the classroom for poetry and figurative language, and also for lessons on perspective. The soft, blur-edged illustrations are gorgeous!
February 28, 2017
Beautiful illustrations that go so well with the lyrical words of each page. This reads like a collection of poems, telling about what you should do if you're rain, the moon, boots, an acorn, etc. Rhyming text helps it flow nicely. Would be a great read-aloud for k-2nd. Love that it's nature-based and provides information.
December 14, 2016
Always a fan of Catia Chien's illustrations and the text here is full of empathy and lyricism.
February 12, 2017
I've enjoyed Elaine's poetry for a long time. She is especially talented in showing what any object thinks, or does, in poetic ways. I read the poems and am in awe of the new ways she looks at the world.
This time, the poems are about everyday objects and what they do when we look at them through their eyes.
Catia Chien creates dreamy illustrations for each double-page spread. Elaine begins to show us wonders with the day's beginning, She begins each part with "Things to do if you are. . ."
This first page shows "Things to do if you are Dawn" and begins "SHOO away the night." Sunlight streams through a window as a young child opens curtains to greet the day. Seeing this, you know it's going to be an exciting journey throughout the day.
Another favorite part takes TWO double page spreads, to show "Things to do if you are an ACORN". One thing is to "wear a bumpy, round cap." It ends delightfully with "Then, in spring, SPROUT. Let a little OAK out." On a SKY page, Elaine asks the sky, "Don't grow grumpy, gray, and frown."
I won't reveal the last page, but ends this beautiful day, of course, with the moon.
Not everything happens during the day in nature. There is a double page that capture another kind of action.
I loved reading and seeing each page, and believe this would make a lovely entry into poetry for young writers. What might they say if they imagined what "something" would do?
This time, the poems are about everyday objects and what they do when we look at them through their eyes.
Catia Chien creates dreamy illustrations for each double-page spread. Elaine begins to show us wonders with the day's beginning, She begins each part with "Things to do if you are. . ."
This first page shows "Things to do if you are Dawn" and begins "SHOO away the night." Sunlight streams through a window as a young child opens curtains to greet the day. Seeing this, you know it's going to be an exciting journey throughout the day.
Another favorite part takes TWO double page spreads, to show "Things to do if you are an ACORN". One thing is to "wear a bumpy, round cap." It ends delightfully with "Then, in spring, SPROUT. Let a little OAK out." On a SKY page, Elaine asks the sky, "Don't grow grumpy, gray, and frown."
I won't reveal the last page, but ends this beautiful day, of course, with the moon.
Not everything happens during the day in nature. There is a double page that capture another kind of action.
I loved reading and seeing each page, and believe this would make a lovely entry into poetry for young writers. What might they say if they imagined what "something" would do?
July 20, 2017
Follow the path of a day in this poetic picture book. Little things in life are captured on the page along with weather and seasons. The book begins with dawn and the things that dawn does, then moves to the outdoors with birds and acorns. Sun, sky and eventually moon appear and do their things as well. Rain arrives, boots come out. There are spiders, snails and crickets that appear too. Each given a poem about what they do and the small beauties they create in our world.
Magliaro’s poetry is exceptional. On the very first page, readers are drawn into viewing the world through her lens that looks at small things, captures them and then moves on to the next. Each poem is separate but linked, creating an entire universe of things to do and things to see. The poetry is sometimes rhymed, sometimes not, often ending in a rhyming couplet. It is the rhythm that ties it together, moving forward, lingering and then onward.
Chien’s illustrations are soft and ethereal. She creates dawn light then bright sun and finally a huge moon that fills the pages. Each time of day is unique and special, given space on the page to shine. There is a rough softness to the images, landscapes that blur rain that shimmers.
A top-notch poetic read for children, this book celebrates small moments made large. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Magliaro’s poetry is exceptional. On the very first page, readers are drawn into viewing the world through her lens that looks at small things, captures them and then moves on to the next. Each poem is separate but linked, creating an entire universe of things to do and things to see. The poetry is sometimes rhymed, sometimes not, often ending in a rhyming couplet. It is the rhythm that ties it together, moving forward, lingering and then onward.
Chien’s illustrations are soft and ethereal. She creates dawn light then bright sun and finally a huge moon that fills the pages. Each time of day is unique and special, given space on the page to shine. There is a rough softness to the images, landscapes that blur rain that shimmers.
A top-notch poetic read for children, this book celebrates small moments made large. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
September 5, 2022
I found this book on accident while trying to find a poetry book that I thought elementary students would find interesting. The cover caught my attention because I automatically saw the boy flying in the sky and looking like he was having a lot of fun. The book is a single poem, put into a picture book format. The book goes into detail about items and things in everyday life that we just look past as simple items.. The book talks about dawn, birds, honey bees, acorns, snails, the sun, the sky, erasers, scissors, the rain, boots, orb spiders, crickets,and the moon. It points out the beauty and amazing things about all of these items and things that we see everyday. I loved what the illustrator did with this book. All of the artwork was amazing but I specifically loved the way the illustrator used the photo from the cover on one of the pages inside the book, right about in the middle.
I would use this book in a kindergarten or 1st grade classroom. I think it could be very useful to help students see the beauty in things that they might not notice otherwise. It can also teach students to think a little deeper about everyday items and not take them for granted because they all have a purpose and something special about them.
I would use this book in a kindergarten or 1st grade classroom. I think it could be very useful to help students see the beauty in things that they might not notice otherwise. It can also teach students to think a little deeper about everyday items and not take them for granted because they all have a purpose and something special about them.
May 31, 2017
Fanciful acrylic artwork accompanies rhyming text that could have been written by a thoughtful child. :)
February 28, 2017
Debut Picture Book
Do you remember being a child, alone in the natural world and wondering about most everything you see? Do you remember the whimsy of those dreamlike days? Those were wonderful days when everything seems perfect. In Thing to Do, Magliaro takes the natural elements the child encounters and makes a “to do list” for each. Each headline begins, “Things to do if you are –”
The text is fun to read aloud. It ���flits” off your tongue playfully, sometimes twisting it up into a knot if read too fast. Slow down and savor the flowing text. Magliaro places emphasis on important verbs by using larger text. Those words are not the usual stuff, but words to fill the room with wonder and action. Children will love the repetition, the large-text words, and even acting out the motions of say, a pair of scissors . . .
Originally reviewed on Kid Lit Reviews. To read the review and see illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/2017ThingsToDo
Do you remember being a child, alone in the natural world and wondering about most everything you see? Do you remember the whimsy of those dreamlike days? Those were wonderful days when everything seems perfect. In Thing to Do, Magliaro takes the natural elements the child encounters and makes a “to do list” for each. Each headline begins, “Things to do if you are –”
The text is fun to read aloud. It ���flits” off your tongue playfully, sometimes twisting it up into a knot if read too fast. Slow down and savor the flowing text. Magliaro places emphasis on important verbs by using larger text. Those words are not the usual stuff, but words to fill the room with wonder and action. Children will love the repetition, the large-text words, and even acting out the motions of say, a pair of scissors . . .
Originally reviewed on Kid Lit Reviews. To read the review and see illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/2017ThingsToDo
Read
December 5, 20191. This book emphasizes the simple things in life. It is reminding the reader to slow down and reflect on the important things. There is natural beauty all around us that should be celebrated.
2. I love the fun lines in this prose style book. It is beautiful and colorful in both the illustrations and playful rhymes. I think it is a fun reminder to slow down sometimes and enjoy the little things!
3. While reading this book, I couldn’t help but think about Horton Hears a Who! By Dr. Seuss. In this classic story, Horton protects this small flower with his life. He doesn’t care how small it is; he thinks it is important anyway. Therefore, I think both stories share the same theme: the little things matter!
4. Considering this is a poetry book, it is full of beautiful quotes. My favorite line is: “Things to do if you’re a honeybee… Flit among flowers. Sip nectar for hours. Be yellow and fuzzy. Stay busy. Be buzzy.” I just found this rhyme so playful; I loved it!
2. I love the fun lines in this prose style book. It is beautiful and colorful in both the illustrations and playful rhymes. I think it is a fun reminder to slow down sometimes and enjoy the little things!
3. While reading this book, I couldn’t help but think about Horton Hears a Who! By Dr. Seuss. In this classic story, Horton protects this small flower with his life. He doesn’t care how small it is; he thinks it is important anyway. Therefore, I think both stories share the same theme: the little things matter!
4. Considering this is a poetry book, it is full of beautiful quotes. My favorite line is: “Things to do if you’re a honeybee… Flit among flowers. Sip nectar for hours. Be yellow and fuzzy. Stay busy. Be buzzy.” I just found this rhyme so playful; I loved it!
February 20, 2017
Stunning poetry collection! The art is dreamy and exuberant at the same time, and Elaine's gorgeous Things to Do poems bring whimsy and life to an entire day, dawn to night. Longer review to come, but meanwhile, enjoy this little gem:
Things to do if you are a HONEYBEE
Flit among flowers.
Sip nectar for hours.
Be yellow and fuzzy.
Stay busy.
Be buzzy.
Ha! This poetry is fresh and lively, and I just love it! Great to pair with IF YOU WERE THE MOON, which is my new picture book that is a Things to Do poem all about the moon (with prose STEM sidebars). I first learned this form on Elaine's blog years ago. Delighted that we both have books featuring this form coming out at the same time:>)
Things to do if you are a HONEYBEE
Flit among flowers.
Sip nectar for hours.
Be yellow and fuzzy.
Stay busy.
Be buzzy.
Ha! This poetry is fresh and lively, and I just love it! Great to pair with IF YOU WERE THE MOON, which is my new picture book that is a Things to Do poem all about the moon (with prose STEM sidebars). I first learned this form on Elaine's blog years ago. Delighted that we both have books featuring this form coming out at the same time:>)
September 26, 2019
Book #6: "Things To Do" by Elaine Magliaro
Genre: Poetry
This is a poetry book, because every page is filled with rhyming lines. This picturebook explores all kinds of different things everyday objects can do. It explores animals and things in nature, as well as inanimate things. The book has rhymes about busy bees buzzing to scissors cutting. It highlights the joy in of all the little things in life. I recommend reading this book to kids from grades kindergarten to second. It is a simpler style book, so older kids would probably grow bored listening to it. I liked it because it had a lot of different everyday life things to learn about in there.
Genre: Poetry
This is a poetry book, because every page is filled with rhyming lines. This picturebook explores all kinds of different things everyday objects can do. It explores animals and things in nature, as well as inanimate things. The book has rhymes about busy bees buzzing to scissors cutting. It highlights the joy in of all the little things in life. I recommend reading this book to kids from grades kindergarten to second. It is a simpler style book, so older kids would probably grow bored listening to it. I liked it because it had a lot of different everyday life things to learn about in there.
December 8, 2017
Reading for CLAU long list. I believe if I understood and got poetry better, I would find this amazing. I would be able to critique the poetry part with wise, profound words and explanations. But I can't. I'm just a titch away from fully getting it. Yet I leave it with a sense of awe and wow. And maybe that's one of the many things that poetry is all about.
I was intrigued by the illustrations. Not loving them, but they matched the different aspects of the day that we follow with the boy and his dog. And they are cute, clever ways to look at everyday things we encounter.
I was intrigued by the illustrations. Not loving them, but they matched the different aspects of the day that we follow with the boy and his dog. And they are cute, clever ways to look at everyday things we encounter.
September 29, 2020
I love how the book gives examples of actions for everything. This book shows there is always something for you to do while teaching children objects like birds, honeybees, and even boots! Although there is no main character in this story it was very easy to follow along and was well illustrated to keep children entertained. The illustrations look like they were painted then scanned in to make the book complete.
May 13, 2023
Whenever I start reading a new picture book, I want to fall in love.
This time it happened. Between the childhood-evocative poems of Elaine Magliaro and the sweet-and-soulful illustrations by Catia Chien, oh yes!
They understand children.
They write for children (and those adults who also understand children).
FIVE STARS OF UNALLOYED PRAISE.
My favorite poem here btw is "Things to do if you are RAIN."
This time it happened. Between the childhood-evocative poems of Elaine Magliaro and the sweet-and-soulful illustrations by Catia Chien, oh yes!
They understand children.
They write for children (and those adults who also understand children).
FIVE STARS OF UNALLOYED PRAISE.
My favorite poem here btw is "Things to do if you are RAIN."
March 20, 2017
This book is strikingly poetic, utilizing all kinds of rich vocabulary to describe the things that everyday objects do. From acorns to scissors to rain, the breadth of subject matter is significant. Additionally, the illustrations are soft and sweet, and some words in the text stand out in either size or shape to help with comprehension.
June 6, 2017
This is a wonderful, newish book that I was just completely (and pleasantly) surprised with on a day at the library. It's beautifully illustrated with intriguing and colorful designs. The text rhymes with a lot of figurative language. The story is very imaginative and enjoyable to read. This is a great picture book, and I'm very happy to have stumbled upon it!
February 14, 2017
A great book with lots of action words! The illustrations are beautiful and make you feel like you are the thing the author is describing. Would be good for storytime if you read a few pages at a time. The whole book would be better for elementary age children.
May 4, 2017
This is one I definitely want to use for April is Poetry Month next year. Beautiful watercolor illustrations with simple poems about everyday things yet with a playful use of language. It might be nice to pair this with some poems from Are You An Echo? featuring the poems of Misuzu Kaneko.
July 13, 2017
Can't wait to read this with preschoolers on up, in conjunction with other "How to" poems. ("How to be a Heart," for example.) The language is elegant and the images vivid. Love how "Crickets" changes up the pattern. Love that these can be read singly or all together. Wow.
August 27, 2017
The dawn, birds, honeybees and even acorns have things to do. Nature is happening all around us and we should take note of what it is doing today.
Each page reads like a poem. Might make a great mentor text for a writing prompt.
Each page reads like a poem. Might make a great mentor text for a writing prompt.
April 12, 2018
The illustrations and poetry mesh perfectly for a Mother Nature how-to. This is my favorite kind of poetry: beautiful, lyrical, and descriptive. It definitely doesn’t rhyme just for the sake of rhyming.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews