"Escape into a poet’s childhood adventures."
The only words in this truly delightful picturebook are those of Dylan Thomas, taken from two radio broadcasts and from his poem, Should Lanterns Shine, but they have been skilfully edited by Helen Docherty to recreate the poet’s childhood adventures in Swansea’s Cwmdonkin Park which was full ‘of terrors and treasures’. Here he explored a world of imagination and play that will be familiar to any child, although modern children might envy Dylan the opportunity to stay out all day and roast potatoes around a campfire!
The park could contain robbers’ dens, pirate cabins or dragon’s lairs and yet ‘still the next day it remained as unexplored as the Poles’. The beautiful, painterly illustrations of the curly haired boy in his shorts and long socks and all the regular characters that the poet met, perfectly capture that bygone age and are seemingly suffused with the golden light of affectionate memories.
We have lost none of the lyricism of the poet’s words, which would be a pleasure to read aloud. Wonderful as an introduction to Dylan Thomas and to a real Welsh location, but also as a joyful celebration of outdoor play. The pandemic showed us that we neglect the importance of access to the outdoors at our peril. It also shows risk averse parents that children need freedom to escape into a world of imaginative adventure.
Edited by Helen Docherty, this picture book combines extracts from the works of Dylan Thomas that centre on his recollections of Cwmdonkin Park, Swansea.
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Edited by Helen Docherty, this picture book combines extracts from the works of Dylan Thomas that centre on his recollections of Cwmdonkin Park, Swansea. A boyhood adventure like no other, Dylan's words serve to bring to life the period, the environment and the very essence of what it is to be a child with a child's imagination.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Dylan's Park and determined it is suitable for children aged 5-8 years old
Dylan's Park features in the following genres: Featured Books for 5+ readers, Featured Books for 7+ readers, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, People / Places, Poetry Books for Children, Children’s: picture books, activity books, early learning concepts, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage poetry, anthologies, annuals, Children's and Young Adult Fiction
Paperback, Hardback. £11.69, down from the £12.99 cover price. In Stock.
Dylan's Park was written by Dylan Thomas, Helen Docherty and published by Graffeg
Dylan's Park has 32 pages
£11.69, reduced from £12.99. In Stock.
