CM Magazine: Twenty-Two Feelings From Nice to Nasty.

________________ CM . . . . Volume VII Number 14 . . . . March 16, 2001

Twenty-Two Feelings From Nice to Nasty.

Twyla Weixl.
Toronto, ON: Napoleon Publishing (Distributed by Pearson Education, PO Box 335, Newmarket, ON, L3Y 4X7), 2000.
48 pp., pbk., $12.95.
ISBN 0-929141-70-9.

Subject Heading:
Emotions-Juvenile literature.

Grades 2 - 4 / Ages 7 - 9.

Review by Joan C. Simpson.

** /4

A colourful, comical cast of multicultural children caught in bizarre settings wittily convey 22 common feelings from kind to desperate, through their body language and facial expressions. Fine black outlines are used effectively in full page watercolour illustration. Using alliterative text, the author tried to explain each feeling in a brief statement then elaborate by gradually introducing more difficult words while repeating more familiar vocabulary. For example:

excerpt:

Severn is feeling secure.
Severn sleeps sweeetly.
Securely surrounded
by strong, serene sisters,
Severn slumbers safely.
Sensing security, Severn slumbers serenely.

Unfortunately, the resulting passages have the stilted cadence of old readers. Furthermore, there is so much advanced vocabulary (brainwash, desperation, scorned, competent...) young readers are more likely to become confused than to develop understanding. Ignore the explanatory text and use the introductory statements and bold illustrations to stimulate a lively discussion of feelings.

Recommended with Reservations.

Joan Simpson is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - March 16, 2001.