There are many reasons to love this impressive debut “novel in verse” by Fred Peretz Cohn, ALL THE SMALL THINGS, but the one that strikes me the most is his portrayal of the difference a dedicated teacher can make in the lives of students, and how discovering the gift of writing can enable all of us to create worlds, and find our way in them.

—Larry A. Moore, publisher – Broadstone Books

All the Small Things is a lovely collection of poems by Fred Peretz Cohn that weaves memories of a childhood that nurtured a young writer seeking the truth, his identity, and his history. In it, you meet Mr. Klair, the driver of Bus Eleven; Cleo, a dog owned by the darling Darla; a friend named Jack; and Ms. Ellis, a beloved teacher. Martin’s mother creates The Hero Wall that guides her son as she uses refrigerator magnets to assign chores in verse and encourages her son to love words. “The only thing my mother loves / more than reading / is seeing me read.” This beautiful novel told in verse follows Martin in his quest for identity, blending collard greens with matzo balls as he reconciles tragedy, loss, and love. Cohn is a unique poet with a sharp eye for language. He is a brave voice to follow.

—B. Elizabeth Beck, M.Ed., author of World Gone Mad

A jewel of a book, a lovely lyric of small-town prayers, early loves, haunted buses & dashed childhoods, the question-marks of poetry & roof riders to the stars, and the time-tunnel called Memory into which we whisper our dreams.

—Steve Erickson, author of Shadowbahn & Zeroville

Simply written, profoundly moving
-Reviewed in the United Kingdom, December 2021 Amazon Verified Purchase

This wonderful novel in verse can probably be read in one sitting, but I read it in three– mainly because I’m a slow reader but also because I wanted to savour each poem. Cohn’s verses are very accessible (so if you don’t think you like poetry, give this book a try–you’ll be surprised how easy-to-read it is!) Yes, each poem tells a little story, and yes, a bigger story unfolds as you continue reading. At some points, I was moved to tears by my ‘discoveries’. We get to know Martin, and the people in his life, through his writings and theirs; his teacher, Ms Ellis, is the kind of teacher we all wish we had. In her ‘Lesson: If I Ran the Circus’, she says, “Creativity is a big tent. Everyone is welcome. And like the circus, it is for children of all ages.” And so is ‘All the Small Things’.

5.0 out of 5 stars

This first novel, written in verse is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed every line. I love the way the writing is so honest and descriptive and real. There’s a realness that is almost joyful in the writing. Even when the author describes sad stories, there is an element of honesty and humor in the reality of adolescent life.

—Teresa White

Goodreads.com

I have read All the Small Things three times. I am not sure I have ever found myself so frequently commenting inwardly “this is really lovely,” and I have been reading for quite a while. It is poetic, tender, insightful, creative, imaginative, and unpretentiously wise. Two of the characters are profoundly endearing: Jack, and Ms Ellis whose loving pedagogy I so admire, it is impossible for me to gauge the degree to which my admiration is just a basely narcissistic exercise in self-aggrandizement. There are moreover a great number of scenes that have stayed with me, which is one of the ways I judge the success of a work of fiction. 

—Arthur D. Greenspan, Professor of French and Italian, Emeritus, Colby College

All the Small Things is absolutely wonderful. I love how you skillfully weave the story so thoughtfully and delightfully through verse. It really is the most beautiful book … that feels like coming home to a big pot of hearty homemade soup, seasoned and simmered with love.

As a special needs teaching assistant for a number of years (as well as my days as a student), I especially love the familiarity of ’school life’ in the book and all the tenderness and poignancy of that world you laced together…beautiful!!    

So thank you!!  I am most grateful to you for your stunning and inspiring book! 

—Chantal Wolf

Your novel in verse is astounding! I love it!  What a phenomenal offering of humanity and heart you’ve given us. ❤️❤️❤️

—Lola York, author of Quilted Inside

I’ve just finished my third reading of Fred Peretz Cohn’s novel, All the Small Things.  The first time I raced through. The second time I noticed Martin’s mama telling me to slow down! This third read was slow and savored. The creativity of the story told through verse is amazing to me!  Now I have to pick out a few of my favorite poems to read at just the right time, and on a regular basis!

—Maggie McGlothin

I’m reading Fred Peretz Cohn’s novel, All the Small Things. It is delicious and I’m savoring it slowly and re-reading parts. In his verse, “Free Write,” this line captured my attention: “you are not writing, you are taking dictation from your heart.” What a lovely thought!

—Jean Robin Martell

All the Small Things keenly captures and exquisitely renders aspects of a young student’s life as they navigate the ins and outs of home, neighborhood, and school. It also offers a model – in beguiling and vibrant language – of what classrooms COULD be through Ms. Yolanda Ellis’ lessons about poetry, memory and identity. I can’t wait to share it with many of my teacher (and LIBRARIAN) friends. This novel in verse is inspiring in its humor, warmth, and fresh imagery.

—Karen Bartscherer, teacher

Today I got to see my dad, Fred Peretz Cohn, do his first-ever poetry reading for his upcoming novel in verse All the Small Things. I, naturally, cried the whole way through, just as I’ve cried the whole way through each and every time I’ve read its various drafts. I cried because the text is beautiful, because my dad’s portrayal of humanity is gentle and understanding and revealing, because the characters are rich and real and experience all the pain and elation that life entails, and because I am deeply, deeply proud of my dad. It has been one of the greatest honors imaginable to get to witness him create this story and refine it over many years, and I am forever grateful to have been one of its first readers and certainly one of its most ardent cheerleaders.

—Emma Cohn, fan (no relation ; )

I read All the Small Things last night. And this morning, I started reading it again more slowly. The economy of words in this powerful novel in verse conveys deep meaning in what is on the page and what is left unsaid.

—Deb Bittenbender, retired teacher and adjunct professor of Education at SUNY Cortland

Read a few pages. Already in love. ❤

—Kady Klaer Denton

Thank you for these savory, highly sensory, psychologically liberating moments in my hectic life! (I believe I am in love with Ms. Ellis.)

—Linda Shew Wolf