A review of Ten-Word Tiny Tales of Love
by
Joseph
Coelho
The tiniest of words can create the BIGGEST of feelings – or at least that’s true in Ten-Word Tiny Tales of Love by Joseph Coelho. Author/poet Coelho pulls together a collection of 10-word tales to create impact, feeling, and a hitch in your heart.
The collection starts with a burst of color and starry confetti: “We danced starlight into the rainbows of our broken hearts.” Each short tale is accompanied by a full-page illustration. The illustrations vary widely because there are 21 different artists featured throughout the book. Some of the stories have a melancholy tone: “The dog stayed by his gravestone for years and years.” While others have a quiet sweetness: “As they hugged the deep darkness away, the universe expanded.”
This collection takes on the feel of reading passages from old letters, or from bits of journals or scrap paper. Because it’s a little different than a typical poetry collection or picture book, the author does include an introduction explaining how he created the tales. It also provides some end notes about how to write a story (or, how to lengthen a ten-word tiny tale). Perhaps this could be good inspiration for the young storyteller or writer in your life?
For more stories on words, poems, and flights of fancy, try: How to Write a Poem, Poetrees, or Chirri & Chirra.