WESTLOCK — For every rhyme there’s a reason, and for Westlock author Sharon McGraw that reason is about sharing her love of poetry with children.
McGraw held a book launch Nov. 25 at Kerri’s Café and Bakery for her recently-published poetry book, The Wonder and the Whimsy, that features a collection of 32 original rhyming poems with hand drawn, full -olour illustrations. It follows the release of her first book last year, Tales of Spring Valley, which is a collection of short stories about children and animals working together, as told from the perspective of the animals.
“I’ve had a passion for poetry all my life. It’s not seen very much as a collection, there’s the odd book today that does have a rhyming storyline, but I really felt it was important to have the entire book with strong rhythm, strong rhyming, something that a child would really feel the beat,” said McGraw. “That’s not being taught or looked at anymore.”
The author-illustrator is also an accomplished artist and was a teacher in Jarvie and Westlock for several years, where she taught poetry at both junior high and senior high levels. McGraw’s most recent book is the second in a number of projects she has in the works, which includes a sequel to her first book.
“The poetry is a reflection of many childhood first experiences. For example, the very first time you go on a slide and what happens and what you think (about it), or enjoying pancakes and sausages — things that a little child would experience,” said McGraw.
Other experiences written about include going to the zoo for the first time, dress up times, what happens when it rains, eating ice cream, looking at birds and other animals and exploring the world around them. The book is geared towards families and small children ages two to 10 and is something that families can read with their children, noted McGraw. The book is available at several merchants online including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
McGraw enjoys writing and sharing her passion for poetry, and credits her nine grandchildren as her inspiration. She hopes families and children come away with an appreciation for poetry and the beauty in children’s curiosity.
“I really hope that families and children will see that being a child is celebrated and recognized and wonderful. I think sometimes we overlook and forget that everything is so new to a child,” said McGraw. “I’ve tried to capture that in the book so they can relive those first-time moments that are so awesome, inspiring, and breathtaking sometimes for a little child to experience.
“I think it’s important that we honour them and celebrate them and that children can have fun while they read about it.”
