BILL'S MAGIC BOX II

Hammond offers an upbeat book of poems for children.

The poet explores themes of imagination, adventure, and mischief in this collection, opening with “Once Upon a Babysitter,” a rhyming poem about a child who wreaks havoc on a lenient babysitter, only to get stuck with a curmudgeon caretaker later. In “Where the Stars Fall from the Sky,” a little girl discovers the secret, titular location, observing, “They don’t land with a boom, / they don’t land with a crash, / they land with a quiet poof / in the soft warm grass.” “The Crow Knows” invites readers to “Imagine the finest cupcake, / the tastiest one to your liking,” and how they might reach it (with a little inspiration from the titular bird). The author effectively invites children to indulge their imaginations throughout: What would it be like to have Bigfoot as a best friend, or find a treasure chest in your closet after a pirate visit? The book also ends on an encouraging note: “For if thoughts create things / and things come from thoughts / just think… / of how powerful you are” (“A Thought”). Hammond’s poetry is inventive and lively, and his descriptions are attention-grabbing, as in “Surviving the Lava,” about a boy who wakes up to a bedroom filled with the substance named in the title: “I felt the heat from the hot lava’s glow / from the embers snapping and popping below.” Occasional language seems too simplistic for the intended audience, as in the singsong opener: “Some babysitters are good. / Some babysitters are bad. / Some babysitters don’t care. / Some babysitters get mad.” Many poems span multiple pages, which may be challenging for those with shorter attention spans, especially given the book’s absence of illustrations. However, Hammond’s uncanny ability to turn ordinary moments into outrageous experiences will entice youngsters to keep reading.

A playful, creative collection of poetry, best suited to experienced young readers.