Pajama Press

“[A] thoughtful look at language and poetry.”

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“Rhymed or unrhymed, regular or irregular, the verses bring both poems and the concept of poetry to a child’s level.”

Read the full review in the Spring 2017 issue of Learning Magazine

“Some of Gilles Tibo’s poetry is decidedly child friendly…and some is sophisticated….Manon Gauthier’s collage art…will draw the attention of young children to this picture book that invites them to explore the world of poetry through both reading and writing.”
—CA

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Pajama Press is very proud to announce that nine of our Spring 2017 books are featured in the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Books for Kids & Teens.

Adrift at Sea by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch with Tuan Ho and illustrated by Brian Deines is a Starred Selection

All the World a Poem by Gilles Tibo and illustrated by Manon Gauthier is a Starred Selection

Hat On, Hat Off by Theo Heras and illustrated by Renne Benoit is a selection

How Do You Feel? by Rebecca Bender is a selection

Rhino Rumpus by Victoria Allenby and illustrated by Tara Anderson is a Starred Selection

When the Rain Comes by Alma Fullerton and illustrated by Kim La Fave is a Starred Selection

Timo’s Party by Victoria Allenby and illustrated by Dean Griffiths is a selection

Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles by Shari Green is a Starred Selection

Next Round: A Young Athlete’s Journey to Gold by John Spray is a selection

Congratulations to all of our authors, and our sincerest thanks to the Canadian Children’s Book Centre and Friesens for their continued dedication to promoting childhood literacy and quality children’s literature.

“[T]ry introducing little ones to [poetry] with this picture book…The unique illustrations in All the World a Poem are paper collage art, which adds to the overall artistic aesthetic.”
—Joanne Sallay

Read the full review in the April 2017 issue of Village Living Magazine

“Although this is a heartfelt tribute to poetry, it is also a well conceived description of poetry for a child just learning to understand what poetry is….[Tibo’s] poetry is simple but elegant. The text is always positive and will help encourage children to write their own poems.

The illustrations are a creative blend of paper collage and mixed media. They ably provide the whimsy needed to match the poetry.”

Thematic Links: Poetry for Children; Imagination
—Isobel Lang

Read the full review on page 11 of the February 2017 issue of Resource Links

“What did you like about the book? The whimsical illustrations set the tone for this fantastic first book of poetry for young children. The assumption in this book is that if all the world is a poem, than anyone can be a poet. This book makes poetry accessible to all children and shows children how much fun poetry can be. Some of the poems, rhyme; some don’t. It’s not so much a book of poems, but a book about poetry that includes poems.

Anything you didn’t like about it? I liked everything about it.

To Whom Would You Recommend this book? This would be perfect for an early elementary literacy class where a teacher is introducing poetry. It is a non-threatening way to make all children realize that they can be poets with little effort….

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes”

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“…All the World a Poem is a poetic picture book that immerses the reader in a world or words and wonder….From the moment this book is opened and a kaleidoscope of butterflies greets you, you are immediately transported­ – almost as if on the wings of said butterflies….

For young readers, hearing the words of All the World a Poem will fill them with the understanding that magic exists. This is grounded in the natural environment that Gilles Tibo and Manon Gauthier draw from the text. This beautiful book is best read together, leaving all enchanted by the depth and simplicity it creates. Even the presentation of the words on the page in relation to the illustrations gives the reader a new or re-imagined understanding of the fluidity of poetry.”
—Ashley Pamenter

Read the full review on page 26 of the Winter 2016 issue of Canadian Children’s BookNews

“Poetry lives, falls from the sky, floats on the sea, and tumbles from the heart, in All the World a Poem, a flowing collection of verses from Gilles Tibo, translated from the original French by Erin Woods. Cut-paper-and-crayon collage art by Manon Gauthier adds to a youthful sense of wonder, as young poets are invited to see and share the beauty and inspiration in nature, emotion, friendship, and all the world around them.” 

Click here to read more reviews from Foreword Reviews

“…All the World a Poem, called [Gilles Tibo’s] ‘tribute to poetry,’ was first published in French as Poésies pour la vie.

Enhanced by illustrations by Montreal artist Manon Gauthier, done in paper collage, coloured pencil and gouache, Tibo celebrates the power and freedom of poetry. He writes ‘Poetry is like a flower that blooms in the rain. Poetry is a mockingbird that wings me away to a land with no pain.’ For early readers with a love of words.”

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