The Word Collector

by Peter H. Reynolds

From the beloved bestselling creator of The Dot and our own Happy Dreamer comes an inspiring story about the transformative and profound power of words.

Some people collect stamps.Some people collect coins.Some people collect art.And Jerome?Jerome collected words . . . In this extraordinary new tale from Peter H. Reynolds, Jerome discovers the magic of the words all around him -- short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multisyllable words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower. From the creator of The Dot and Happy Dreamer comes a celebration of finding your own words -- and the impact you can have when you share them with the world.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Poetry, Writing, Storytime, Words

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2018

About the author

Peter Hamilton Reynolds is an author and illustrator of children's books and is the co-Founder and CEO of educational media company FableVision.

Reviews

[Shaghayegh · Rating 4 out of 5]

برای کسی که نصف سال‌های تحصیلیش از کلمات فراری بود، حرف زدن ازشون هم خنده داره. کسی که از زیر انشا نوشتن در می‌رفت و از هم‌صحبتی با آدم‌ها واهمه داشت. طوری که نوشته‌های خشک و بی‌روح دیگران رو کپی می‌کرد و تو ارتباطاتش افتضاح بود.
اون مثل جروم کتاب نبود که کلمات رو جایی ثبت کنه، کنار هم بذاره و باهاشون جمله و شعر بسازه. اون تو ساختن به طرز فجیعی ناامیدت می‌کرد!
گاهی انقدر ساکت بود که بقیه فکر می‌کردن لال هست. گاهی انقدر سوالات رو تو ذهنش ویرایش می‌کرد که همکلاسیش زودتر از معلم می‌پرسید. گاهی انقدر حرف نمی‌زد که این ذهنیت رو به‌ وجود می‌آورد که عجب شنونده‌ی خوبیه! اما اون لعنتی از پس الفبای زندگیش هم برنمی‌اومد، چه برسه به اینکه کلمات رو ردیف کنه و طوماری از حرف‌های معمولی رو به زبون بیاره.
اما یه روز نزدیک بود گندش دربیاد. معلم از انشایی که خودش هم ننوشته بود، تعریف کرد و کل کلاس براش دست زدن. متنی هم انتخاب کرده بود که معنی بعضی از کلماتش رو هم نمی‌دونست! کارش ساخته بود.
اون روز پی برد که نمی‌تونه تا ابد پشت نوشته‌هایی که مال خودش نیست پنهون بمونه. باید از زیر سایه درمی‌اومد. باید قلم به دست می‌گرفت و می‌ساخت. باید به جای سر تکون دادن، زبون درازش رو به کار مینداخت. باید مواجه می‌شد. با کلماتی که می‌تونن نجات بخش باشن و در عین حال ویران کننده‌‌. باید با ادبیات آشتی می‌کرد.
و اینطور شد که هنوز لال از دنیا نمردم!
حالا اونقدری کلمات رو سر می‌کشم که به قول دوستم گندش رو درآوردم. حالا به تک تک واژه‌ها دقت می‌کنم و می‌تونم سر کسی رو با طومارهام به درد بیارم. حالا می‌تونم جروم باشم.

[sAmAnE · Rating 5 out of 5]

این کتاب تقدیم شده به همه‌ی بچه‌هایی که با استفاده‌ی درست و مناسب از کلمات می‌توانند احساسات و تفکرات خود را به خوبی بیان کنند. در حوزه ادبیات کودک بعد از «شل سیلور استاین» نویسنده‌ی محبوبم «پیتر اچ رینولدز» است. کسی که فوق العاده در نوشتن و ایده‌پردازی خلاقه و دنیای خودش رو وقف نوشتن برای کودکان کرده. او به کلمات ایمان دارد و می‌گوید: «اگر می‌خواهیم کودکان چیزی یاد بگیرند کتاب بخوانند و بنویسند باید به بازی دعوتشان کنیم. بازی با کلمات، بر صفحات سفید. صفحه ای از افکار و آفریده‌های خودشان پر می‌شود.» این کتاب در مورد پسربچه‌ای به نام جرومی هست که به جمع‌آوری کلمات مختلف مشغول میشود و درواقع کلکسیونی از کلمات را برای خودش درست میکند. ولی یک روز که کلمات را جابجا می‌کرده لیز میخوره و همه‌ی کلمات به پرواز در می‌آیند... این کتاب میتواند برای کودکان یادآور این باشد که هر کلمه و استفاده از آن چه مسئولیتی برای آن ها به همراه دارد و میتواند فردی را خوشحال یا ناراحت کند و برای استفاده از واژه‌ها و کلمات در گفت‌وگوهامون چقدر باید توجه داشته باشیم. به ارزش و زیبایی هر کلمه پی ببریم که میتواند تلفیقی با یادگیری مهارت‌های زندگی و همین‌طور آموزش نگارش و فارسی باشد. کودک به معجزه‌ی کلمات و کنار هم قرار گرفتن آن‌ها پی می‌برد و همین‌طور باعث به وجود آمدن اشتیاق بیشتر در یافتن معانی کلمات در کودک می‌شود، به اشتراک گذاشتن حس خوب، بخشش و پرورش تخیلات را در کودک آموزش می‌دهد. بیان درست احساسات و عواطف و استفاده درست از آن‌ها و فهمشان را قابل درک می‌کند.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a person who loves words. I love those word-a-day calendars as a kid. I thought it was fun to try and find ways to use that word during the day. When I am reading, I do like to pick up new words and phrases. My problem is I don’t write them down and I do forget them rather quickly now. Anyway, this book is about people who collect things. Jerome just happens to collect words he loves. He has scrapbooks and notebooks full of words organized into category and subject. One day, he drops all the books and the words jumble and he sees new phrases together. (This reminds me of the magnets on the refrigerator with all the words.) He then begins sharing the words with people and making them feel better with words. “I understand” is a very powerful phrase.

The point of the story seems to be that words are to be shared with others and it’s how we communicate with each other. It’s a pretty good theme, in my opinion.

The nephew was not too impressed by this book. Now, the niece would have liked it more is my guess. The nephew does love books, but he said that nothing really happened here. Words are everywhere. He didn’t really connect with this book. He didn’t call it boring, but he gave it 2 stars.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

I really like using this book as an example of expansive vocabulary when I am doing storytime. I've taken it to my children's school and a read-aloud and then added in some vocabulary activities like vocab guessing games (using the words from the book), or (re)naming a color, or found word poems. The instructional options for this book are truly limitless. Other great vocabulary building books are Animalia by Graeme Base, 13 Words by Lemony Snicket, and The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. - Alexis S.

[Dario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words tend to either erect or obliterate boundaries between human beings. Thankfully, this is a book about forming bonds in the most unusual way.

Jerome collected words.

Whereas most of Jerome's peers collect video games, cards, devices, etc., his goal is to collect as many words as he can. The acts of reading and searching for meaning become essential for his growth and well-being because he wants them to be like that. He found joy in what others usually perceive as being frivolous, and it genuinely makes him happy.

Perhaps the key moment of his journey is when he slips and the words "become jumbled". He doesn't cry over them, nor does he give up; he simply strings them together and uses them to recreate the sources which he drew the words from in the first place, as well as create something new out of them.

He also finds the simplest words to be incredibly effective in uniting people. The book itself gains the reader's attention using simplistic illustrations, colorful pages... and words. Lots and lots of words. You never know which one will help you make it through the day.

A definite must-read!

[Zari.Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

چقدر قشنگ و زیبا بود.واقعا قشنگ و زیبا و پر مفهوم
شاید جالب باشه.منم یه دورانی اطلاعات عمومی جمع می کردم🤭

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the beginning of this book - and even the middle! (Get this kid a magnetic poetry set, stat!) I love that he started stringing words together and making poetry and songs.

But then... it got a little....preachy? It became much less a story about a "real" boy who liked to learn new words and more about an allegorical boy who changed the world, one word at a time. Which... if it had *started* like that, it wouldn't have annoyed me at all. But as written, it was a little jarring.

[Shamim · Rating 5 out of 5]

دوسش داشتم ^^
برام کاملا ملموس بود چون خودم هم مثل جروم کلمه جمع می کنم :')

[Sanja_Sanjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful and great book, a perfect illustrations of the power of words...

[Janani(ஜனனி)⁷ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so beautiful.

I just can't ignore the reading done by Obamas.

[Parastoo Khalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

کلمات بیشتر از چیزی که به نظر میان مهم هستند.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each year my family reads all the Goodreads-award-nominated picture books, and we have been doing this for years. Everyone rates each book and adds a comment and it may (or may not) affect my overall rating. This is book #8 (of 20) of 2018, and yet another example of my separation from my own family on some of these books. This is the first year this is happening, dunno why. In spite of my low, (mean) personal review, I upped the rating to reflect the family reading.

Tara: 5 stars. I love this! Learning to express himself and make the world better.

Harry (13): 4 stars. I like how he helps the world by sharing his words and thoughts.

Hank (12): 5 stars. Amazing!

Lyra (11): 4 stars. I like how he collects words, then gives them away, then finds new ones.

Jenn (family friend): 4 stars. Jerome is my kind of boy. I especially love the jumbled word pages such as "Blue Harmony," "Silent Orchestra," and "Whisper Symphony."

Dave: 3 stars. A book about the love of words. Okay, maybe good, fun, but doesn't feel that fresh or original.

[Rita Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The power of words! Cute story to show the importance words hold.

[Roya · Rating 4 out of 5]

"به دنبال کلمات خودت بگرد، به همه دنیا بگو کی هستی و چطور دنیا را به جای بهتر تبدیل می‌کنی."

این پسر من رو یاد فینچِ "جایی که عاشق بودیم" انداخت :"(

[Liza Fireman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet sweet book about words, and about Jerome who collects words.
Words are little gems, and collects and organizes them. And then he fell and all of his words went flying. He starts stringing them together and playing with them with less order. In the end he sends them to the wind. And other kids are starting to play with them.
One of the best books that I know is The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. It is so much better than any other elementary school age (and above). It is playing with words, numbers, concepts and more. This book was a tiny reminder of that (just tiny though). The story here, is not as tied together, and just touches a bit about the beauty and power of words.

My favorite line was: "Jerome had no words to describe how happy that made him". That alone gives another half a star to get to 3.5 stars.

[Amy Oberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of Reynolds' most recent picture book is intriguing...and older listeners and readers are sure to be captivated by the various words Jerome collects, as well as their pronunciations and definitions. Unfortunately, the second half of the story doesn't quite match the authenticity of its beginning; the parting message is a familiar chorus rampant throughout most of Reynold's tales. The illustrations are whimsical and inviting, inclusive and diverse...but, unfortunately, the story as a whole doesn't come together as a well-planned collection of words.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this picture book, Peter H. Reynolds does for words and literacy exactly what he's accomplished with his previous titles on art, he makes them cool and wraps them in a clever, philosophical package.
Jerome collects words, and he even organizes them into categories. But an accident leads to the realization that sometimes words that seem to have no relationship to each other actually gain new meaning when placed by different, unrelated words. Not only does he start to realize the power of words to express feelings, to move an audience or to make others feel understood, but he also realizes that he need not keep those words squirreled away. Instead, he should give them away. I loved how, after all this build up, the book concludes with these lines from the boy who loved words so much: "Jerome had no words to describe how happy that made him" (unpaged). Since he's shared all his words with others, he literally has no more words to give, but he also would be hard pressed to explain his feelings. This book is perfect for youngsters just learning new vocabulary but also for those who gravitate to words that simply sing on the tongue or feel in the mouth or are interesting just because of their shapes. As they will know, there are words that simply lead us into new worlds and those that seem perfect for what they represent. Ah!

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really disappointing. I read this aloud (to my 15 year old daughter) and partway through I started adding snarky asides about how this kid is really annoying and LITTERING - stop throwing your little bits of paper all over, Jerome! That's LITTER! Stop it! Also, poetry and music is more than just random words strung together; I thought it was weird to imply that you will naturally become a beloved poet and musician just because you collect words.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't really recommend this book to anyone because of the ending. While the beginning would rate a 4, the end was a huge mistake that I am sorry other readers have ignored. Really littering is okay to teach children? Really Peter H. Reynolds couldn't think of an alternate ending?

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

The importance and beauty of words and how putting some together can be powerful and poetic!

[Ana on the Shelves]

Simple yet super cute story.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm calling this book poetry because it speaks to my soul in that way.

The main story is about a boy who collects words. It's how the words are kept, expressed, and strung together that matter. I was enraptured by reading the words scattered on the page, and I Loved how the pairings sang. I want to collect words too, and see what happens when you throw them down together in a happy jumble.

We won't worry too much about how much littering occurred with all those words in the wind. :)

This is such a beautiful book. I wish everyone loved words like this.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerome collects words.

Serendipitously he drops his words. He makes poetry.

"Some of his simplest words were his most
powerful." "I understand." "I'm sorry."
"Thank you." "You matter."

One day he empties his collection into the wind.

"Wonderful."
"Surprising."
"Clever."
These are the words I use to describe this book.

[Julianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

so cute!! Makes me want to start my own word collection..........;)

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOved it and all the lovely, beautiful, and interesting words. A great book to share.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story delightfully read by Michelle & Barack Obama. Yes, words matter!

[Joanna Lampa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and love to give it as a gift to all my fellow word nerds who were also writers and readers as children.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational - aspirational book for children about words and how we can play with them and manipulate them - turning them into poems and lyrics. The illustrations are simple and whimsical.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of this book.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds, a love letter to the power and passion of words.

Jerome, like many kids his age, loves to collect. But while others may collect comic books or stamps, Jerome collects words. Words he hears, words he reads, words that sound funny or appealing, words he doesn’t know the meaning of yet, short words, long words, descriptive words, powerful words. Jerome collects them all into scrapbooks, which grow more categorized and extensive as his collection grows. One day, while moving the scrapbooks, he stumbles and drops them, scattering the words about in disarray. But looking at how the words have landed – out of order and in fascinating new combinations – Jerome is inspired. He begins stringing the words together in new ways to express himself, write poems and songs, or to provide comfort and support to his friends. At last, he decides to share his collection with others, releasing the words into the wind as children gather them to start their own collections – something that makes Jerome indescribably happy.

Lovely. I’ve been a logophile most of my life, so this was such a treat – I loved Jerome’s relationship with words and their remarkable ability to express almost anything in the human experience. Even for those not word-obsessed, this is a great way of exploring the power that words have in both great and humble ways – how less is often more, how innovation drives language, and ultimately how a wider vocabulary can benefit its owner and user. The illustrations are delightful, using small vignettes and full page spreads to convey moments and concepts both big and small. Another review did point out that the story serves almost exclusively the English language – not necessarily a detraction, but something to note. Otherwise, the length was great, JJ enjoyed it, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!