Caramel reviews This is a Poem That Heals Fish by Jean-Pierre Siméon and Olivier Tallec

Today Caramel talks to Sprinkles about a neat picture book about poems: This is a Poem that Heals Fish, originally written in French by Jean-Pierre Siméon and illustrated by Olivier Tallec. The version Caramel read was translated into English by Claudia Zoe Bedrick and originally published in 2007.

Sprinkles: So, Caramel, you know that I will be reviewing a poetry book this weekend. Is that why you picked this book to review today?

Caramel: No, actually, I just thought it might be cool to review it.

S: That makes sense. I do think this is a really cool book. Also very pretty. 

C: Yep, that is what caught my attention.

S: So why don’t we begin at the beginning? Can you tell us what this book is about?

C: This book is about a kid named Arthur whose fish Leon is sick. Or maybe bored actually. Anyways Arthur asks his mom what to do and she tells him to give him a poem. 

S: And then off she goes to play tuba, right?

C: Yep, how did you know?

S:You know I read this book too Caramel! I actually first read about this book in a blog post about it and had to get one for us. The pictures and the words, they were all so beautiful. I am so glad you liked the pictures too. 

C: Oh, I had no idea, but yes, I do like the pictures a lot! 

S: So happy to hear that! Okay maybe we can get back to the story of Arthur and Leon. So does Arthur know what to do when his mom tells him to give the fish a poem?

C: Not really. So he asks everyone he knows what a poem is. And everyone tells him something different. 

S: Can you give an example or two of the kinds of answers he gets?

C: One of them says that it is when you are in love and have the sky in your mouth. And another says that a poem is words turned upside down and suddenly the world is new. And another person says it is the heartbeat of a stone. And so on.

S: Which one of them is your favorite? 

C: I have no idea. It is hard to pick one. They are all slightly different and all together make up a really good definition.  

S: So how would you define a poem Caramel?

C: Hmm, I think it is a song of the heart. 

S: That is beautiful, Caramel! I love it! 

C: Why, thank you, I would like to think that that was very good of me.

S: Yes, I thought so. Anyways, I think this is the first poetry book you have reviewed for our blog. 

C: Not really. I know Marshmallow reviewed more books about poetry than me, but i also reviewed a poetry book. Remember Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman and Loren Long? That was a good book to read and review, too.

S: Oh yes. That is true. And this weekend I hope to review a few more poetry books. But I am glad you chose to talk about this book today. And I love that you posed with one of my favorite pages in the book with the grandpa and the red poppies!

C: I am always gracious like that! 

S: Yes, you are! Okay, so before we wrap things up, tell us if Leon the fish gets to feel better at the end.

C: Yes! He does!  Arthur tells his fish Leon all that he learned about poetry. And Leon is no longer bored. He says his silence is his poetry. 

S: That is kind of cryptic but also beautiful. 

C: Yup, creepy, too, a bit though. 

S: I guess one could think that. In his silence there is a lot going on, lots of meanings in words unsaid. I choose to think of it as beautiful. 

C: Yeah, I suppose that is a better way of seeing it. And more poetic!

S: Yep! So okay, maybe it is time to wrap up this review. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!