The summer after the builder was born, A Family of Poems by Caroline Kennedy hit the bookstores.  The builder’s GiGi gave it to him for his first birthday.  My Grommie works at her local library.  She has a love affair with books as well as famous people.  So I knew this was going to be a treasure. 

TIME interviewed Caroline Kennedy and she told of a poetry scrapbook that her mother,  Jacqueline, kept.  Inside were their favorite poems that they would illustrate.  Caroline remembers that on her mother’s birthday, a request would be made for additions to the poetry scrapbook.  

How absolutely beautiful!  I am soo doing this with the kiddos!

As the kiddos were playing “Escape the Crocodile” this afternoon, I knew I had to find a book about a crocodile to read to them today.  I found Caroline’s poetry collection and there was a familiar poem that the kiddos and I have enjoyed in Alice in Wonderland,

How doth the crocodile
   Improve his shining tail,
And pour the waters of the Nile
   On every golden scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin,
   How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes in,
   With gently smiling jaws!
                                   Lewis Carroll

As we read it together, I was already planning to illustrate the poem tomorrow.  Now that I know about Jackie’s poetry scrapbook, I’ll have to find the perfect place to keep it…

The builder and I enjoyed reading several of the other poems illustrated by water-colorist, Jon J Muth.  A gorgeous book.  Treasure to be had and traditions to begin…