Chuckles and Smiles: Children's Poems
on Goodreads (18)
What’s inside...
Chuckles and Smiles: Children's Poems by Raven Howell is a delightful collection of short, engaging poems designed to entertain and inspire young readers. Each poem captures the whimsy and joy of childhood, covering a range of topics from playful adventures to the simple wonders of nature. Howell's verses are accompanied by charming illustrations that bring the poetry to life, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for children. The book aims to encourage a love for reading and poetry in kids, making it a perfect addition to any child's library or a thoughtful gift for young ones learning to appreciate the rhythm and rhyme of verse. This collection of children's poems reveals the little things in life that put smiles on faces - from creating sock puppets, to walking barefoot on warm summer grass, and dreaming of butterflies during a thunderstorm. Colorful illustrations evoke the warmth and joy felt in childhood, whimsical and carefree. Chuckles and Smiles charmingly reminds child and parent alike that the power of laughter delivers happiness.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
34 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What poem made you smile the most, and what about it made you feel happy?
Can you think of a time when you felt the same way as a character in one of the poems?
If you could be friends with any character from the poems, who would you choose and why?
How do the illustrations make you feel? Do they change how you imagine the poems?
If you could write your own poem, what would you write about?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and gestures to bring the poems to life as you read them aloud with your child.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite poem to deepen their connection with the text.
After reading, ask your child to describe their favorite character or poem, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the content.
Connect the themes of the poems to real-life events or feelings your child might have experienced to make the content more relatable.
Discuss the values or morals within the poems to instill important life lessons subtly and effectively.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: Through poems that celebrate various cultures and unique traits of characters, 'Chuckles and Smiles' teaches children to appreciate diversity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect their classmates' and community members’ different backgrounds and perspectives.
Example Lesson: Importance of Kindness
Explanation: The poems incorporate themes of friendship and kindness, underscoring how small acts of kindness can uplift others.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to perform acts of kindness, such as sharing and helping, improving their interactions and relationships at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Value of Positivity
Explanation: The light-hearted and optimistic tone of the poems helps children understand the power of a positive outlook.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to approach challenges with a positive mindset, enhancing their problem-solving skills and resilience.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The imaginative scenarios and playful language in the book spark children’s creativity and encourage them to think outside the box.
Real-World Application: Children can utilize these creative thinking skills in their play, storytelling, and academic pursuits, fostering innovation and cognitive flexibility.
Example Lesson: Joy of Reading
Explanation: The engaging and rhythmic nature of the poems in 'Chuckles and Smiles' makes reading enjoyable, promoting a lifelong love for literature.
Real-World Application: Fostering an early interest in reading enhances language skills and academic performance, setting a foundation for successful learning.