The Boy Who Loved Words (3-16-13)

Schotter, R., & Potter, G. (2006). The boy who loved words. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books. 

Genre- Picture Book, Children’s Fiction

Age- 6-8  (Although many websites say this is the age range, I would argue that is should be an older children’s book due to the words used being higher level.)

Summary: Selig is a boy who loves words and collects them everywhere he goes. Selig would say the words, write it down, and tear off the little piece of paper and keep it in his pockets, sleeves, or anywhere they would fit! Throughout his childhood, the main character is always an outsider, observing the world and using words to describe it. After feeling alone and sad, Selig dreams about finding his purpose in life and soon does after meeting a poet in need of the perfect words. The reader will love watching a dreamer like Selig find his purpose in life and put all of his good words to use as he grows into adulthood.

Reflection: From the front cover to the end papers, the reader of this book is surrounded by a sea of beautifully complicated words. The author uses rich words to describe Selig and the world around him. The readers quickly get to know how Selig is viewed by his family and peer as an “oddball”. His mother and father are full of worry when they wonder what good can come from their son’s love of words. The illustrations tell a story, with words as labels to describe how Selig views the world around him. The media used was a mixture of pencil, ink, gouache, gesso, watercolor, and collage. The illustrator uses mainly greens and blues to let the reader understand the mood of the story is very strange and lonely, much like the main character. I love how the book shows that a young boy with a passion can find his way in the world and find his purpose, when his nickname proudly becomes his identifier. “Wordsworth” is a character that many young readers can relate to, because he feels that he doesn’t fit in or know his purpose in life yet.

The end papers are a great resource to teachers and students who read this book and want to know what many of these interesting words mean! A teacher could definitely use this book to inspire students to use rich, exciting words in their writing to interest readers. 

If you'd like to check out this fun story, copy and paste this link for a wonderful online reading of it, including actual pictures on You Tube!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTScRTNvIcI