This is the sequel to "Barking Spiders (and Other Such Stuff), 2000, "Barking Spiders 2" continues the journey to
help children experience life and find answers through poetry. Written with humor, insight, sensitivity, and with the
understanding that, like adults, children wish to make sense of the world they live in -- and when it still doesn't make
sense? Well ... that's okay, too, because it doesn't always make sense.
Hi, I'm CJ, the author and illustrator. It's taken eleven years, but it's finally published, with even more barking
spiders poems than the first one. So, here it is, from my heart and my funny bone to yours.
Barking Spiders in Church Those pesky barking spiders followed me to church Sunday. I tried to make them stay at home, but they came anyway. Then I did something naughty 'cause they were being bad. When people turned and looked at me, I pointed at my dad. My World In my dreams, all the oceans are chocolate that I sail in my gummy bear boat. The mountain, there, is a chocolate cake with a waterfall to a root beer float. Bubble gum berries grow wild here and there. Tall pretzels are telephone poles. Potato chips fall like crisp autumn leaves, that I gather in sugar cone bowls. In my garden, the trees all grow jelly beans with every color they make, except black. The leaves on the flowers are little green spoons 'cause the flowers bloom Jello Cup Snacks. When it rains, the puddles are lemonade and I swallow sweet drops from the sky. In the winter, it ALWAYS snows popcorn, so I make popcorn men seven feet high. Chocolate chip cookies are stepping stones, under soft, cotton candy pink clouds. The sidewalks are made of red licorice sticks, It all tastes just as good as it sounds. If the world could be like my dreams ... what an exciting place it would make to have all of my favorites EVERYWHERE, but NEVER a bad tummy ache. Growing Things Daddy planted grass seeds and up popped new green grass. When mommy planted flower seeds, pretty flowers came up fast. I don't understand it, I planted my seeds, too. My spot has lots of sunshine and I watered, but nothing grew. I guess it's something grownups know. Maybe kids just can't plant seeds ... 'cause the bird seeds that I planted didn't grow any birds for me. |
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Snowman The snow was flaking all around, then gently piling on the ground. Such tiny puffs all floating free, yet stuck together, I could see it's like one voice that's singing for us, or a lot, like in a chorus. I rolled some up and stacked it high and made a happy snowman guy. I'm glad it's that way, just with snow, and that's not how we children grow, 'cause on a warm and sunny day, my snowman slowly melts away. As he melts, he gets so thin. I wish, like me, that he had skin. The Clown The day the circus came to town, my favorite thing was the funny clown, with his great big shoes, and silly clothes, a painted face, and his big red nose. A giant smile was painted there. I saw children laughing everywhere. But I wondered as I looked at him, was he frowning 'neath his painted grin? Sometimes, when I am feeling down, I think about that funny clown, ith his great big shoes, and silly clothes, a painted face, and his big red nose. Then I put a smile on anyway, and soon my frown just fades away, like the day the circus came to town, and I learned it watching the funny clown. To a Baby Firefly Little baby firefly, when your night is through, does your mother tuck you in and tell you she loves you? Does she kiss your forehead and say in morning's light ... "Day-day little sleepyhead, close your eyes, blink out your light." |
"May you always see the world through the eyes of a child." ~CJ Heck |
Reviews:
Six thumbs up!
My grandchildren--4 1/2 and 7--and I had enjoyed reading and sharing CJ's first children's poetry book for children (Barking Spiders) and
were very happy to learn that she had written a second volume. As a mom, grandma, and school librarian, I am always delighted to find books
for children that are entertaining, educational, and FUN to read; that you just need to read aloud and can't wait to share with others. This
one is all that but manages to stay above "too cutesy" or "talking down" to children.
The kids just know they like what's in there -- both the poems and the illustrations. My granddaughter had to get the first book out again
so she could re-read it and compare the two books to see if she "thought the second one was as good as the first one." She declared that,
indeed, it is. She took it it school to share with her friends and classmates.
Poetry is such a good way to get children interested in words and in reading..CJ's books are fun ones to add to your collection. Two thumbs
up from each of the three of us! ~jot2000
_________
"I just have to say, your book came today, and during my 18 year-old daughter's birthday party tonight, she shared many of the poems. We
laughed so hard at a few -- my father thought the belly bubble one should be a bumper sticker! This will be my daily reading for today again
because it is just too good to put down so soon! THANKS! We all are enjoying it, ages 10 to 70." ~D Woodward Wells
_________
"In this follow up to her popular first book, Barking Spiders and other Such Stuff, CJ cultivates and enriches the innocent spirit within us
all. As your child hears you read, a parent is transported in heart and feelings to the simpler and more innocent time of youth. The two
hearts bridge the gap of age and meet in the middle, where heart and soul are eternally young." ~Magic Man
_________
"We all know, the mind of a child is something we'll never fully understand. However, CJ Heck has written three books that prove she is
the master of a child's illogical, logic, a child's innocence, their unfiltered honesty and boundless love. Barking Spiders, Barking Spiders 2,
and Me Too! Pre-school Poetry all sit on my bookshelf waiting for me to read to my grandchildren. If a child has thought about it, CJ has
written about it. No matter how many times I read CJ's poetry, I am amazed at how well it correlates to watching the antics of my
children and grandchildren. The good news is that us grown-ups enjoy CJ's writing as much as the children. Enjoy the laughter, wonder and
joy of a child. Read CJ Heck." ~Russell Daily
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A Kid's Review
"The book had great poems. Each poem painted a picture for me. The words made them come to life. As I read them I felt like I was right
there. Also, the variety of the poems made them more interesting. No poems seemed like any of the others. I am happy I got to read the
book. Thank you!" ~Alyssa from Colorado
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"CJ did it, again! I fell in love with Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff, almost 5 years ago. I recently received the sequel, Barking
Spiders 2, and fell in love with it, too, after the first reading. CJ has really touched my heart with her writing. I truly see myself, and my
children, in her poetry. This is a great book, and I highly recommend it to anyone to anyone with children or has a young heart of their own."
~veganishmom
All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced in any form, by any means, other than brief quotations or printed reviews, without prior permission of the author. |
Daddy's Boots Daddy left his boots for me and here I have to stay. My daddy is a soldier. I’m in charge while he’s away. In Daddy’s boots, I can pretend that now I am the man who does the things that Daddy does as only Daddy can. I help with little brother, I help with folding clothes, I help to take the trash out, and I hope Daddy knows that every day I wear his boots so I’ll feel close to him. I try to keep Mom happy, till he comes home again. I know that he’s protecting us, that’s what soldiers do, but his boots are way too big for me and my job, being him, is too. I wonder when he's coming home. I miss him ALL the time. Mom said Dad is proud of me and his boots fit me, just fine. Mama, Am I Pretty? Mama, am I pretty? "Why do you ask?" She said. She held me gently to her and kissed me lightly on my head. "Your clothes are neatly ironed, your face and hands are clean. You're such a sweet child, little one, what does your question mean? Mama, am I pretty? I really need to know. Am I pretty like the other girls at school where we all go? "You have a very loving heart. You're gentle, kind and good. Your friends all think the world of you, anybody would." But Mama, am I pretty? Sometimes kids point or stare. I've got these real thick glasses that I wish I didn't wear. Mama said my time would come, be patient and I'd see. The things that really matter were there, inside of me. Mama! AM I PRETTY? I didn't mean to shout ... Then mama smiled and told me, "Sweetheart, yes, inside and out." |
Note to Bookstores:
My books are available to you! Please
order through CreateSpace!
My books are available to you! Please
order through CreateSpace!