** Note: To request a review copy of Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff, call CJ at 814-618-5035.

National Reviews

Featured in "Staff Picks" - April, 2001
Jackson's Books
Salem, Oregon

April was National Poetry Month and I enjoyed sharing a variety of poetry with children in K-2nd grade at Miller, Mary Eyre and Pringle Elementary Schools. The kids listened, enjoyed and laughed out loud at poems by C.J. Heck in her book, Barking Spiders ... All the kids could relate to the poem topics and delighted in her clever prose. Your children will love this book!

~Gala Millard, Staff Reviewer

(*Personal Note from Gala:)
"Thanks so much for sharing your book with us -- we've ordered it in the store since reading it in the schools and we are selling it! We enjoyed!
~Gala Millard
Jackson's Books
Salem, Oregon

OHIOana Quarterly
Volume XLIII - Winter/2000 Issue - Pg. 417
Review by Barbara Maslekoff
BARKING SPIDERS AND OTHER SUCH STUFF: CHILDREN'S POETRY by C.J. Heck, illustrated by Michelle Lenkner, SterlingHouse Publisher, (Pittsburgh, PA), 2000. 60 pp, pb, Illus., $9.95.
If children could write poetry about the things in their lives, it might not sound like these poems ... but the feelings they experience are sure to be familiar as they listen to this collection.

Insights and thoughts about belly buttons, toe jam, Band-Aids, and passing gas will cause chuckles from young readers and their parents. (Barbara Maslekoff).

December 9, 2000,
News Journal, Mansfield, Ohio
Review by Terry Mapes, Book Talk
(Note: for a copy, please email C.J. at poeticlady99@yaboo.com)

November 28, 2000, A Storyweaver's Book Reviews
5+ Stars!
Clever, brilliant, excellent...exceeds the five star rating!

This enjoyable children's poetry book made me laugh and hold a smile the entire time I read this comical book to my three giggling children -- until the very end.

The New Hampshire author, CJ Heck, originally from Ohio, has put together a spectacular collection of children's poetry into one skillfully written and charmingly illustrated book. Michelle Lenkner has drawn delightful characters in pencil drawings, which enhance and perfectly fits the adorable poetry on each and every page.

Do you know what a barking spider is? My children laughed hysterically as I read the poem titled: "Barking Spiders" and by the fourth time...they were holding their stomachs!

This honest, innocent, and appealing book transcends all age barriers and explores topics such as belly buttons, smelly feet, birthmarks, and chicken pox! Every child and parent alike is sure to fall in love with this funny, and unique book by a talented author who definitely knows and keeps in touch with the child within her.

My children and I enjoyed this book thoroughly and I plan to read a poem to them every day in the hopes of keeping their wonderful imaginations alive.

Get in touch with the child who is trapped inside you, make your little ones giggle and watch as their eyes light up as you read such poems as: "Dancing Fairies", "Playin' Cowboy", "Toe Jam", "My Brother's Feet", and many more delightful poems.

Visit the imaginative world of a child by getting your hands on CJ Heck's book BARKING SPIDERS and Other Such Stuff as soon as possible.

Highly recommended!

--Reviewed by Jennifer L. B. Leese, Published Author

October, 2000 issue of New Hampshire Magazine, Page 45

Children's Poetry

I've got eyes just like my mommy's
A nose just like my dad's.
My ears are like my grandpa's,
But it's really kinda sad.
Everyone who sees me
Sees some part of me they know -
Like my temper from my uncle
Or my smile from 'so and so'.
I just hope, when I get bigger,
That people stop and say:
"Hi there, glad to see ya ...
You sure look like you today!"

- "Just Like Me,"from

Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff, by CJ Heck

October, 2000 --
Poetry Today Online

Well, it's time for a little fun, folks. Put away all those boring grownup books and let's sit down and read Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff. This is C.J. Heck's first book of children's poetry and it is a delight!

CJ's poems give us all a glimpse into the wonder and honesty of being a child and surprises us with their thought-provoking insight. Children perceive the world just as they see it and all of us can learn lessons from these innocent perceptions.

The book covers many topics, from the question of what a barking spiders is, (the answer is a real stinker), to whether people in heaven look at the rest of us still here through windows.

I very much enjoyed this book and plan to read it to the little one in my life over and over. Hope you do the same.
-- Jo Ann Miller, Poetry Book Review Writer.

August 15, 2000 --
"CJ Heck's Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff is a wonderfully entertaining collection of poems told from a child's perspective. Often funny, sometimes introspective, always honest, and illustrated with Michelle Lenkner's line drawings, these poems by CJ Heck form a wonderful introduction for young readers to the magic of poetry and rhyme. "Hugs": Hugs come in different sizes,/Hugs feel different, too./There are sad hugs when you're crying,/That's when nothing else will do.//There are happy hugs for laughing./there are hugs for scary, too./But the hugs that I like best of all.../Are hugs for I Love You!"
--The Midwest Book Review

Tom Perry ~ Grassroots Poetry ~ September 12, 2000:
Dear CJ,
I recently acquired your book, "Barking Spiders", from a nearby Walden's Bookstore. Just wanted to send you a brief thanks for writing such a delightful work. The children enjoyed it and we loved reading it to them. My 7-year old read some more tonight after school.

It's often difficult to find quality children's writing that doesn't bore the poor parent stuck with trying to get their kids interested in reading. Not since Shel Silverstein's Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends have I enjoyed a children's book so much. You certainly hold well with Silverstein and Mercer Mayer as among the best of children's writers with the ability of holding the kids' ... and parents' attention, and holding up on repeated readings.
Sincerely,
Tom Perry

Clayton Davis, Severna Park, MD
C.J. Heck's Poetry:
Using children's language, but not child-like, C.J. Heck writes thoughts that children think.

In "A Child's Masterpiece", mommy left a can of paint and the brush where the child could do what mommy did. The result is a 'work of art'. In "Baby's First Christmas", the child finds ribbons and wrapping paper more fascinating than the presents. "Hugs" shows us that a child feels the nonverbal message of two arms around it. "Barking Spiders" causes a child to giggle, while the parent is trying to teach social graces. What child or adult has not contemplated the belly button and concluded that it 'goes nowhere'? Little things like "Gramma's Apron" bring a tear of remembrance to the eye of everyone whom she ever loved. "Pockets" ARE the treasure chest of every child ... who will not understand its mother's shock on washday. Everyone has played "Copy Cat" in front of mommy's mirror and wondered what would happen next.
-- Clayton Davis

Reviews from Online Bookstores:

Amazon.com, April 17, 2000 - 5 Stars!
Kelly Stewart, Reviewer

Great read for students of any age!
This book is fantastic! I read and shared this book with my 3rd grade class and they have constantly commented since! Our faves were "Barking Spiders" (wait until you figure these out!) and "Gramma's Apron" (will bring a tear to anyone's eyes). Ms. Heck has a wonderful eye into the world of children, yet has the balance of writing which allows even the oldest "child" to enjoy her work. Even my students compared her to the greats of children's poetry, such as Shel Silverstein (Where the Sidewalk Ends) and Jack Prelutsky (The New Kid on the Block). A strong recommendation for anyone!
~Kelly Stewart, Wartburg, TN

Amazon.com: November 24, 2000
- 5 Stars! Top Ten Reviewer: Donald Wayne Mitchell from Boston

Gentle Poems from Childrens' Perspectives
This collection of 59 brief poems by C.J. Heck and accompanying line drawings by Michelle Lenkner are destined to become standard reading for the 10 year old set. They magically capture the "lost youth" of these young people while also moving the gaze into the potential joy of the current moment. Each poem seems designed to come from a different specific childhood perspective that will fit your child perfectly in a number of cases. Beyond that, the pages will reopen your own mind and heart to your childhood memories and perspectives.

In fact, the book is designed to give the feel of being an anthology of children's verse. The poems can connect with your child both through their subject matter and by their simplicity. You have poems about barking spiders, belly buttons, lost teeth, Bandaids, hugs, the Boogie Man, shadows, smelly feet, toe jam, new babies in the family, and prayer. These are almost universal subjects. Often the poems come from an obviously female or male perspective, and I liked that. Your child can pick the rhymes that fit his or her personality and experiences best.

Most children will probably relate well to somewhere between 20 and 40 of these poems, so there's plenty here to keep the 4th through 6th grader happily occupied.

Personally, I found some of the poems to be remarkably appealing and interesting. Among these are "Ode to Being Five", "To the Boogie Man:", "Hugs", "Jelly Beans", "Bandaids", "Baby's First Christmas", "Colors", "The Quarter", "My Tooth", "Our New Baby", "'Special' Brother", "Dear Santa ...", "Mommy's Hands", "Angel In My Pocket", and "Bed Pages".

I would like to single out one poem, "Night Night", for special praise. It is similar to the ending of Goodnight Moon, but has an even simpler way to descend into a cozy slumber.

Although this book is designed to be read at the 9-12 age level, the poems themselves will be enjoyed by much younger children when read aloud by you. As such, you can begin reading some of these to children as young as 1 or 2. Some are also simple enough that they could be easily learned by a beginning reader. So you will get plenty of benefit over the years from your investment in the book.

After your child shows signs of "outgrowing" this book, I suggest that you explain the reasons why you enjoy it. ... adopting an ageless perspective that combines the best of youth and maturity is a valuable goal. Keeping the best of childhood present is the way to begin that process. Encourage them to keep with them that which is always valuable about childhood's outlook, especially the optimism and simple sense of wonder.

Make sure your child's life is always more than ... "just a hole that goes nowhere."

Amazon.com: November 22, 2000 - 5 Stars!
(Top 50 Reviewer): Roz Levine from Virginia

Poetry for "Children" of All Ages!
C. J. Heck's Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff is a very special collection of poems told from a child's point of view. Where else can you explore such silly topics as belly buttons, toe jam and stinky feet, whistling, toothpaste or bandaids...and in the same book, heaven, a "special" brother, best friends and being an only child?

Ms Heck is able to capture the essence of the innocent, inquisitive child in each of us. These delightful poems are filled with honesty, wisdom and humor, as youngsters take a peek at the world around them and try to make sense of it. This is a wonderful read aloud book, the entire family can enjoy together and a great addition to all home libraries.

Barnes & Noble.com:
Carrie O'Brien, August 17, 2000 - 5 Stars!

"More fun than making mudpies... A marvelously imaginative collection for kids of all ages, Barking Spiders explores the wide-eyed innocence of childhood one page at a time. Infused with a subtle, refreshing humor, CJ's poems read like 'mini memories' of a time when new sneakers made you run faster, looth teeth made you talk funny, and belly buttons were a mystery. There's something here for everyone to make you laugh and warm your heart. And so much fun to read it will leave you hungry for more?"

Fatbrain.com
S. Staats, August 15, 2000 - 5 Stars!

Barking Spiders and other such Stuff is a super book that a parent can read and enjoy along with their child. Reading the poems really takes you back to your childhood memories. I would and highly do suggest that every parent and child have this book on their bookshelf."

Barnes & Noble.com:
Jim Hartsell, August 2, 2000 - 5 Stars!

Barking Spiders Barking Spiders ... is a delightful collection of poems for children. When I first started reading C.J. Heck's poetry, it was obvious that she had a unique talent to get into the mind of a child and see life from their perspective. This collection deals with subjects ranging from "Barking Spiders" to "Toe Jam" with some angels flying around in between. I love the smiles, giggles, oouu's and ahs reading these poems to my grandchildren brings. (And from their mom's and dad's too.) They are truly for the child in all of us. Bravo C.J.!"

Barnes & Noble.com:
Dale A. Edmands, Webmaster for Kookamonga Square
July 31,2000: 5 Stars!

"A Delightful Little Gem. Recently, I received C.J. Heck's Barking Spiders and Other Such Stuff in the mail, complete with spider bookmarks and stickers. What a delightful package! I brought the book out to the porch, sat down, and began reading aloud to my family. Within seconds, everyone's eyes were turned towards me, sparkling with smiles. Each poem, told from a child's point of view, captures your attention and wonder, as though you were 'there', experiencing your childhood all over again! And there are important messages and lessons entwined within Heck's magical writing. This is an incredibly 'kid smart' children's book, filled with love, laughter, and learning; a must for every family and school library!"

Borders.com:
R. Eastland, California: 5 Stars!

"Very Unique and Funny. This collection of poems is outstanding and will be loved by most parents and their inquisitive kids because it hits home in a way that few books are able to do. Ms. Heck has an uncanny way of seeing and appreciating things as only a youngster does and parents will laugh when they realize how true and funny these vignettes of life really are."

Barnes & Noble.com:
Larry A. Tilander, writer
Belleville ON Canada, July 26, 2000: 5 Stars!

"To Boldly Go. I like the way that the author tackles the issues that other writers avoid. Kids aren't as unknowing as most of us would like to believe. They know people fall down, get hurt, and even die. Why do we pretend to them it doesn't happen? CJ doesn't."

Publisher Book Review:

Publisher Review: SterlingHouse, Publisher, Inc.

Barking Spiders touches humorously on subjects that range from the social etiquette of passing gas to the excitement and wonder of a new baby. Certain poems, such as "Gramma's Apron," have a nostalgic tone that captures a child's feelings over the loss of a beloved grandparent. Each poem explores different topics in a manner that is as delightfully innocent and honest as the questions children ask.

Heck handles the complicated issues with the grace and assurance of someone who understands that children, like adults, wish to make sense of the world they live in. The poems are written in the simple, often direct, language of children. Rhyme and meter are used not only to expose children to the structure of poetry, but to also make the poems easy to read, recite and remember. Heck has a gentle, yet subtle, sense of humor that is sure to be enjoyed by children as well as adults."

Editorial Review: Amazon.com

Book Description: