Bøker av Paul V Picerni

This precious literary gem is a discovery into a unique imagination. A versatile collection of original poems that is enduring. Some poems are deep-emotional whirlwinds of an explosive ingenuity, while other are a colorful mix of lighthearted comedic treats. Some written in freestyle, others composed with a perfect rhythmic beat. The depth of imagery fascinates. Amazing storytelling. The captivating allure in each poem makes this book something to wander back to time and time again.

In Being Two and Going to the Zoo, our birthday girl, Sophia, her big sister, Maria, and their teenage cousin, Eddie, have big birthday plans of going to the zoo where a baby giraffe is about to be born. Sophia explains, "We heard about this news on our TV set. I want this baby giraffe for my very own pet." After running into trouble while all riding on Eddie's tricycle, the kids barely make it to the zoo just before the gates close. When they finally make it to the giraffe exhibit, the baby giraffe is taking its first steps. Sophia announces to others, "I want to take the baby giraffe to my home," But, "Maria explains its mama can't leave it alone." The colorful illustrations in this heartwarming little story seem to tell a story all of their own.

In Being Three is the Best Age to Be we find little Sophia, our birthday girl, riding up in a ski lift chair with her big sister Maria. She explains, "Most of the snow has now disappeared. The winter is gone and the summer has neared." Then, as the girls climb higher toward the mountaintop, Sophia notices, "It seems to get colder the higher we go. And now it seems that there is more snow." Sophia is surprised once exiting the ski lift at the top of the mountain by her friends who have planned a fun day playing in the snow. Not all goes as planned though, as Sophia explains, "They say when I'm older some things I'll forget. Sharing cake with a bear, I'll remember, I'll bet." The ride down the ski is no less an adventure as echoes bounce off mountainsides invigorating the excitement, which is captivated in colorful illustrations.

In Being Four is Never A Bore our Birthday Girl is wanting to celebrate her fourth birthday, which is the next day, with a big party, but she explains, "We just moved into this really, really nice place; green fields, rolling hills, and lots of open space. I haven't had time to meet anyone to invite. I don't even know someone who I might." She asks her big sister for her help. Her sister has met only one kid since moving to their new home, a boy named Pete who lives across the street. From there the adventure grows as the girls meet more neighborhood children that want to join in for some birthday fun. The children end up taking a boat ride to a beach along a blue river where they have a wonderful time telling jokes in a treehouse, swinging from a swing tied to a tree, eating cupcakes and drinking lemonade. Colorful illustrations enrich throughout this delightful poetic journey.

In Being Five And Learning To Strive our Birthday Girl, her friend Jill, and Pete, the boy from across the street are put through a difficult task. The Birthday Girl explains; "A giant fish was washed ashore. To save this fish will be a hard chore." The three children try to rescue the giant fish by trying to lift it back into the river. They get the fish onto a tarp and try carrying it to a small pier where they hope to release it, but it gets more difficult as heavy rains start up again. The Birthday Girl explains; "I think I now realize what it means to strive; and strive we must to keep this poor fish alive." Wonderful illustrations set the tone beginning with a fun-filled indoor birthday party, and continuing on through to a mud soaked adventure filled with lessons in determination.

In Being Six And Blowing Out Candlesticks, our Birthday Girl makes a wish for a new bicycle while blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. She tells this wish only to her friend Lori. But a new bike is not in the Birthday Girl's gifts, so Lori brings her a bike.The bike Lori brings is not new, but old, dirty, and worn down. Our Birthday Girl explains, "This bike was in Lori's shed for years. This ugly-old bike nearly brings me to tears." Lori convinces our Birthday Girl to take pride in the bike. "She explains that now that I am six; six is a good age to learn how to fix." So fix it our Birthday Girl does, but not without some amusing setbacks. Lessons are learned, and a strong determination leads to a bike riding adventure. Colorful and imaginative illustrations wonderfully enrich this lovely book.