Paul V Picerni

A discovery to devour. Follow along in this adventurous mystery of majestic madness. A creative inspiration of ingenious mobility to succumb to. A read the literary world has yearned. An adventure into possibilities that though impossible, and should be impossible, seem plausible. Why not, when the currents of enlightenment flow so easily into a realm not imagined, nor discovered before.

This precious literary gem is a discovery into a unique imagination. A versatile collection of original poems that is enduring. Some poems are deep-emotional whirlwinds of an explosive ingenuity, while other are a colorful mix of lighthearted comedic treats. Some written in freestyle, others composed with a perfect rhythmic beat. The depth of imagery fascinates. Amazing storytelling. The captivating allure in each poem makes this book something to wander back to time and time again.

In Being Two and Going to the Zoo, our birthday girl, Sophia, her big sister, Maria, and their teenage cousin, Eddie, have big birthday plans of going to the zoo where a baby giraffe is about to be born. Sophia explains, "We heard about this news on our TV set. I want this baby giraffe for my very own pet." After running into trouble while all riding on Eddie's tricycle, the kids barely make it to the zoo just before the gates close. When they finally make it to the giraffe exhibit, the baby giraffe is taking its first steps. Sophia announces to others, "I want to take the baby giraffe to my home," But, "Maria explains its mama can't leave it alone." The colorful illustrations in this heartwarming little story seem to tell a story all of their own.

In Being Three is the Best Age to Be we find little Sophia, our birthday girl, riding up in a ski lift chair with her big sister Maria. She explains, "Most of the snow has now disappeared. The winter is gone and the summer has neared." Then, as the girls climb higher toward the mountaintop, Sophia notices, "It seems to get colder the higher we go. And now it seems that there is more snow." Sophia is surprised once exiting the ski lift at the top of the mountain by her friends who have planned a fun day playing in the snow. Not all goes as planned though, as Sophia explains, "They say when I'm older some things I'll forget. Sharing cake with a bear, I'll remember, I'll bet." The ride down the ski is no less an adventure as echoes bounce off mountainsides invigorating the excitement, which is captivated in colorful illustrations.

In Being Five And Learning To Strive our Birthday Girl, her friend Jill, and Pete, the boy from across the street are put through a difficult task. The Birthday Girl explains; "A giant fish was washed ashore. To save this fish will be a hard chore." The three children try to rescue the giant fish by trying to lift it back into the river. They get the fish onto a tarp and try carrying it to a small pier where they hope to release it, but it gets more difficult as heavy rains start up again. The Birthday Girl explains; "I think I now realize what it means to strive; and strive we must to keep this poor fish alive." Wonderful illustrations set the tone beginning with a fun-filled indoor birthday party, and continuing on through to a mud soaked adventure filled with lessons in determination.

In Being Six And Blowing Out Candlesticks, our Birthday Girl makes a wish for a new bicycle while blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. She tells this wish only to her friend Lori. But a new bike is not in the Birthday Girl's gifts, so Lori brings her a bike.The bike Lori brings is not new, but old, dirty, and worn down. Our Birthday Girl explains, "This bike was in Lori's shed for years. This ugly-old bike nearly brings me to tears." Lori convinces our Birthday Girl to take pride in the bike. "She explains that now that I am six; six is a good age to learn how to fix." So fix it our Birthday Girl does, but not without some amusing setbacks. Lessons are learned, and a strong determination leads to a bike riding adventure. Colorful and imaginative illustrations wonderfully enrich this lovely book.

Being Seven Is Not The Same As Being Eleven follows a seven year old girl on her birthday and her dealings with her wayward dog.She exclaims; "I have a dog named Blue who loves to chew. He chews on my socks and he chews on my shoe."Nonetheless, she seems to always give into Blue's charm, even telling him; "You are so cute when all cleaned up. Yes cute you are my silly pup." This little book is a fun and adventurous poetic journey, masterfully illustrated in a brightness that enriches each and every vivid verse.

Being Eight Is Great introduces small children and young readers to the creative wonderment of rhyme in a way that has them traveling along effortlessly with a little eight-year-old birthday girl. "Today is my birthday and I am eight, and no one planned a birthday party and it is getting late," the little girl explains while she undetectably follows friends, who take turns carrying a mysterious box. She follows them through a colorfully illustrated countryside up hills and across rivers, with a passionate desire to find out what is in this secretive box.