Comment from bertranclan

Excellent

I loved this poem from the start, as well as the accompanying photo. I love Greek food , too! And black olives! You've done a great job describing what and how the girl eats in this poem. Bravo!

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2017

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing one of my Alphabet Kids. I am with you on the Greek food and had to run out and get some as soon as I posted this. - Wendy

Comment from marybell1

Exceptional

I enjoyed reading your poem Umay Ulessys. It flowed and rhymed beautifully which I am sure any child would enjoy (I did). I wish you all the best with your book. I also loved your photo.
Marybell1.

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2017

Thank you so much for the enthusiastic review. I also appreciate the wish. - Wendy

reply by marybell1 on 04-Jul-2017

You are most welcome.
Marybell1.

Comment from kiwigirl2821

Excellent

hello Wendy, Oh I love the bouncy cadence to this treasure! It flows down the page and your words let us the reader see those olives on fingers dripping as each one is eaten. Love the idea too that Greeks "live to play" Excellent. xoxo Kiwi

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2017

Thanks so much for the kind review. I appreciate you pointing out the line that stood out for you. - Wendy

Comment from Ann Philips

Excellent

This is a very fun poem. The emphasis on food is delightful and unusual (in its depth and complexity) for a children's work. But I think that's good and children love sounds and to learn and experience strange new words and ideas. I like the starring role of the olive, something familiar to provide a anchor for the rest. Umay is such a wonderful name. It is fun to say and provides provides cultural depth and interest I enjoy.
"Scrunchupitiy", "Sneaky pita", and the idea of olives on fingers are wonderful. The only line that I didn't think flowed quite as well as the others was the last line, "We make fun you can eat'. The rhythm seemed a little off.
Look forward to your completion of the book. I think my granddaughter would love it, based on this chapter.

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2017

Thank you, Ann, for the thorough and thoughtful review of one of my Alphabet Kids. This was the last poem for the book - my muse didn't want to work in Alpha order. I really appreciate your pointing out specific lines you liked. I will go back and take a peek at the last line to see what happened with the scansion. - Wendy

Comment from pipersfancy

Excellent

I can tell that Umay Ulessys and I would get along just fine--I'm also a big fan of Greek food, and have been known on more than one occasion to adorn the tips of my fingers with big, fat, black olives! (I guess I would fall into the "former children" subset of your targeted audience!)
pf

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 27-Jun-2017

Thanks so much for the read and the fun review. I think that the olives on fingers thing is a universal. - Wendy

Comment from JDRBAR

Excellent

This is adorable. The pronunciation guide is great, thank you. But, you should have added the pronunciation for the child's name. Is it you may? Darling child.

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 27-Jun-2017

Thanks for pointing it out. It is pronounced oomay oolessis. I'm glad you liked the poem and appreciate the R & R. - Wendy

Comment from Mrs Happy Poet

Excellent

Hello my friend this again is well written its obvious your character loves her food especially olives which is an acquired taste don't like them myself but enjoyed your fun poem well done regards Jill

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 27-Jun-2017

thanks for the kind review, Jill, even if you don't like olives ;))

Comment from Thal1959

Excellent

This is very well written as a "children's poetry" work where the general expressions go, but I don't know how many children can read the Greek words. (Or how many adults who are not Greek can, either!) It kind of makes it a sort of complex Dr. Seuss work. But it is still written very well. (Maybe you should have changed the Greek to Italian - everybody knows how to say pizza!)

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 27-Jun-2017

Thanks so much for taking a peek at the work. I guess I hoped the parents and kids would have a fun time trying to work that out. I do plan to have an index at the back of the book to talk about the different countries and give a pronunciation guide. My 6-year-old grandson really laughed at the food names and 'scrunchupity' - not that he wouldn't prefer pizza to just about anything. - Wendy

reply by Thal1959 on 27-Jun-2017

You're welcome, Wendy - it was my pleasure.

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This poem, Umayyad Ulessys, is a fun look at a kid and her delight with her favorite foods in this Greek culture. It is nicely metered and creates a picture of a family enjoying even little moments that bring them together. Nice.

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 27-Jun-2017

thanks for spending the time to read and review one of my Alphabet Kids. I appreciate your details as they help me become a better writer. - Wendy

Comment from ~Dovey

Excellent

Hi Wendy:

This one is a whole lot of fun! What child didn't enjoy putting olives on every finger to eat? lol I love Tzatziki sauce, too (is that spelled correctly?) That word always looks so odd. I just see one tiny fix:

To Uma Ulessys, her island of Crete (Umay?)

Great job!!

Kim

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2017

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reply by the author on 27-Jun-2017

Thanks for the R & R and the catch Dovey. Not sure where that Y wandered off to since Yani Yergler already had all of his. And yes, that is the spelling, though it is pronounced cha-cheeky. - Wendy