A Pocket of Time
The Poetic Childhood of Elizabeth Bishop
by Rita Wilson
illustrated by Emma FitzGerald
Nimbus Publishing, 2019
ISBN 978-1-77108809-1 (hc)
$23.95, 38 pp, ages 7 – 10
nimbus.ca
Engaging prose intertwined with lines of Elizabeth Bishop’s poetry weave the story of her early childhood in this unique work of historical fiction. The third-person narrative and collage-like illustrations bring readers deep into “a pocket of time” when Elizabeth lived with her maternal grandparents in Great Village, Nova Scotia. Newspaper clippings, photographs, grocery lists, school books, and other original artifacts alongside texture-rich, detailed drawings will make readers want to examine each page carefully before following the story on the next page. Set in the early 1900s, this story will introduce children to simpler times focussed on home and family as well as give them a glimpse of life before electricity and cars.
Classroom Connections: Rich connections and comparisons can be made between children’s own lives and the world recreated in this book. Great for reading aloud, introduction to biography and historical fiction, and art study (texture, line). Reading Comprehension Strategies: Making Connections, Transforming.
Review by Amanda Forbes.
This review is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue.
