Early ReviewersPatricia Austin

Elephant of Sadness, Butterfly of Joy is a collection of twenty-four picture poems that explores the realm of human emotion. Each poem links an animal with an emotion and uses sensory imagery to spark childlike wonder, paint word pictures to ponder, and see the world from a new perspective.

Elephant of Sadness, Butterfly of Joy evokes metaphoric thinking in young readers. From the “Mosquito of Worry” and “Snail of Anticipation” to the “Hummingbird of Happiness” and “Lanternfish of Love,” the poems vary in tone—some light, some dark, some humorous, and some serious. The animals represent a diversity of species, including mammals, reptiles, cephalopods, mollusks, fish, insects, arachnids, and birds.

Whether hopeful, frustrated, surprised, or content, these picture poems help illustrate the emotional spectrum that encompasses the human experience and bridge a gap in understanding so that children are better equipped to label their feelings.

For teachers, parents, and caregivers, the poems open space for discussions about social-emotional learning, which, now more than ever, are needed conversations.

What's the day-to-day, decade-to-decade life of a teacher like?

Documenting Patricia Austin's forty-plus years as an educator, Tales from a Teaching Life: Vignettes in Verse invites readers along on a chronological journey through elementary and university classrooms. Austin captures modes, moods, and moments of teaching, from a stumbling entry into the profession to an unexpected dive into the brave new world of online instruction. In verse at turns reflective, surprising, and humorous, these poems testify to the strength and profound impact of teachers everywhere.

Reviews

“Tales from a Teaching Life anticipates life for beginning teachers . . . and generates memories for those like the author who have spent their lives in sundry classrooms at all levels.”—Virginia McGee Butler, retired teacher and author of Becoming Ezra Jack Keats

“Teachers are the backbone of, and best hope for, human society, but you don’t have to be one to enjoy this honest, insightful, and captivating read. Highly recommended.” —Leslie Staub, author of If You Were An Elephant

“Poignant yet whimsical, Tales from a Teaching Life is a bit of truth we’d all be better for hearing. Any teacher will see parts of themselves reflected on the page, echoing across time and space with the evidence of a life well lived. Brava!”—Marti Dumas, author of the Wildseed Witch series

What's the day-to-day, decade-to-decade life of a teacher like?

Documenting Patricia Austin's forty-plus years as an educator, Tales from a Teaching Life: Vignettes in Verse invites readers along on a chronological journey through elementary and university classrooms. Austin captures modes, moods, and moments of teaching, from a stumbling entry into the profession to an unexpected dive into the brave new world of online instruction. In verse at turns reflective, surprising, and humorous, these poems testify to the strength and profound impact of teachers everywhere.

Reviews

“Tales from a Teaching Life anticipates life for beginning teachers . . . and generates memories for those like the author who have spent their lives in sundry classrooms at all levels.”—Virginia McGee Butler, retired teacher and author of Becoming Ezra Jack Keats

“Teachers are the backbone of, and best hope for, human society, but you don’t have to be one to enjoy this honest, insightful, and captivating read. Highly recommended.” —Leslie Staub, author of If You Were An Elephant

“Poignant yet whimsical, Tales from a Teaching Life is a bit of truth we’d all be better for hearing. Any teacher will see parts of themselves reflected on the page, echoing across time and space with the evidence of a life well lived. Brava!”—Marti Dumas, author of the Wildseed Witch series