The Song of Francis

[a:Tomie dePaola 8725 Tomie dePaola http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1200682227p2/8725.jpg] is a children's book author/illustrator that I became familiar with in my youth. He has a vast array of books under his name and thankfully some are with a Christian, if not event Catholic belief which is not always easy to find in the world of picture books. Yet, while it seems almost everyone and list I come in contact with just loves Tomie dePaolo's work, I just seem to find myself a bit ambivalent. This book was a purchase to go along with the recommendation from Memoria Press Junior Kindergarten and honestly, this is the best experience I have ever had and the most beautiful one from Tomie dePaola I have ever seen and it really makes me want to keep him on my to-read list as I'm noticing we are getting several recommendations for his books in the future. Even though it's is not a favorite type of artwork for me to view, the material is there and obviously the quality too. Penguin's Putnum imprint sure does seem to have a winner here with plenty to come. We are also using from time to time the [b:Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose 25161 Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose Tomie dePaola http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347752445s/25161.jpg 25910], although I do not love it and really prefer our replacement of [b:Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever 313329 Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever (Giant Little Golden Book) Richard Scarry http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1333576380s/313329.jpg 304222]. With titles coming recommended from Sonlight, Memoria Press, MODG, Seton and more all raving Tomie dePaola as well as even Barnes & Noble online storytime showing his ever popular [b:Strega Nona 581409 Strega Nona Tomie dePaola http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1348009308s/581409.jpg 1442720]. It's a learn to love and let it grow on my type of author I believe. As to specifically referece [b:The Song of Francis 4579256 The Song of Francis Tomie dePaola http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347673215s/4579256.jpg 4628648] as poetry, ‘eh I guess that works for this week, but it is an awesome resource to sit back and look at. Just to stop and really examine each of these page of pictures and illustrations. To talk about the colors, each and every color of bird (and reassure my preschooler that yes it says violet and I know it's purple grin). She became excited as the birds all joined together and I think that is exactly the type of thing that is wanted from this read. I can honestly say that if I found more absolutely lovely dePaola books like this, I will find myself to be quite a fan as well.