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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“[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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“We rated this book: 

…What is a poem? Does it rhyme or not? Are the verses long or short? There is no simple answer, and this book doesn’t really purport to answer that question. What it does is introduce to children the idea of poetry being everywhere and found in so many gifts of nature—flowers, the sky, birds, the ocean, and more. The entire book is written in a variety of poetic forms, some rhymed, some not, but all quite accessible to children.

Author Gilles Tibo has written a charming picture book that will help youngsters find their way to poetry as both readers and writers of the form. The writing is fun and whimsical and lyrical. The illustrations by Manon Gauthier—a combination of several media including collage, pencil, and gouache—are absolutely charming and match the whimsicality of the text. This book will find its way into a great many classrooms and school libraries, but it deserves to be in lots of children’s homes as well. This is a lovely book.”
—Rosi Hollinbeck

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