#MMBBR #Review The Junk Drawer by @ryankarten

Stuffed inside The Junk Drawer you’ll discover a town where everything is backwards, a man who can’t stop sneezing, and a kid who breaks everything he touches. In the first release of his Welcome Mat Book Series, Ryan Karten invites us to explore the silly, the meaningful, the fun, and the absurd in this collection of poems and stories.

This book is delightful.  I adored the drawings and the poems.  There is something for everyone in this book.  As an adult I really loved all the poems/drawings and my kids, 8 and 10, also loved this book.  There are some poems that are funny, others are heartfelt, while others are just silly and wonderful like the poem entitled BACKWARDS TOWN.  There is inspiration galore within this book.  One thing I know for certain is that this book is sheer love and joy.  Karten needs to keep writing and drawing because we need more of this inspiring, lighthearted and wonderful writing in this world.  I think this book would be perfect to use with kids in the summer, as the poems can be used as writing and drawing prompts.  I know we will certainly be using this book to keep imagination and learning going through the summer months.  I feel like readers who love Shel Silverstein will adore THE JUNK DRAWER!!! 

Ryan Karten is an American author, storyteller, screenwriter, and creator of Welcome Mat Books. Ryan was born on October 1, 1981 and earned his BA from Indiana University and his MFA from Boston University.