Wow. What a great book Kwame Alexander has written. The characters were so real it was like I knew them. Alexander conveys so much with so few words. Wow. What a great book Kwame Alexander has written. The characters were so real it was like I knew them. Alexander conveys so much with so few words. Absolutely fantastic, and completely worthy of the Newbery. ...more
Poems, songs, and stories about Christmas fill the pages of this anthology for young readers. The majority of the pieces are from America ("Brer RabbiPoems, songs, and stories about Christmas fill the pages of this anthology for young readers. The majority of the pieces are from America ("Brer Rabbit's Christmas", Wilder's "Christmas on the Banks of Plum Creek", Edgar Allan Poe's "The Bells", "Silver Bells", and more). The illustrations have a lively, fun spirit to them. This is a nice anthology to share over the course of the holidays....more
Poems are written so the lines are either progressing down (like usual) or up the page, and concern things that either move down (rain) or up (hot airPoems are written so the lines are either progressing down (like usual) or up the page, and concern things that either move down (rain) or up (hot air balloon). They are simple, short, and lovely. Tusa's illustrations match the poetry well, full of color and energy for lively poems, and peaceful and gentle for poems with a quieter tone....more
Absolutely lovely version of "Over in the Meadow" set in The Badlands National Park of South Dakota. The rhythm of the poem is just right, making it aAbsolutely lovely version of "Over in the Meadow" set in The Badlands National Park of South Dakota. The rhythm of the poem is just right, making it an easy read. The illustrations are really quite stunning collages of hand-painted papers and found objects. Colors are vibrant; patterns and papercuts are intricate.
Each spread features an animal native to the prairielands of the United States, and many also include native plants. An appendix gives more information on each animal and plant mentioned. This book is fantastic for classes studying the different regions of America, and would lend itself to follow-up research projects on the lifeforms depicted. Oklahoma schools and those in other states with prairie lands should be especially interested....more
I was disappointed in this one. I thought it might be clever and funny and good to use in creative writing classes, but it just fell completely flat fI was disappointed in this one. I thought it might be clever and funny and good to use in creative writing classes, but it just fell completely flat for me. I didn't laugh once, didn't even like it much. ...more
Langston Hughes' brief, 18-line poem is introduced to a new generation of children through Bryan Collier's bold illustrations. Although the words are Langston Hughes' brief, 18-line poem is introduced to a new generation of children through Bryan Collier's bold illustrations. Although the words are few, when printed alongside Collier's colorful artistry, they become even more emotional.
When led in discussion, young children will be able to comprehend the meaning of Hughes' words....more
I really didn't like this book. Something about his imagery gave me the creeps. Example, from the very first poem, about toothpaste: "...you go to worI really didn't like this book. Something about his imagery gave me the creeps. Example, from the very first poem, about toothpaste: "...you go to work in the foamy, pink cave of my mouth...." Um...gross. Seriously. The endings of several other poems seemed very abrupt, like they didn't fit. They just seemed to be tacked on to the end. Let me be clear, though: it takes a lot for me to like a book of poetry. A lot. Must make me laugh out loud or tear up, pretty much, or I'm just not impressed. And here, I was more than not impressed, I was creeped out. ...more
Only a few pages in we know something is not right in Pearl's home. Though it isn't explicitly stated, it seems Pearl usSimply put, I loved this book.
Only a few pages in we know something is not right in Pearl's home. Though it isn't explicitly stated, it seems Pearl used to be happy but now she is so consumed with sadness that her friendships have changed. (She spends all her time at school alone and mentions that Lucy Wong used to be her friend.) Something has changed that has her so sad that she cannot take part in ordinary things--friendship, and writing poems that rhyme:
Miss Bruff, I'd like to say, there is no rhythm in me. There is no rhythm in my life. How can I write it down on a page when it isn't there?
So just what is the source of Pearl's pain?
But I know my granny and Granny knows me. That is why I miss her so much. She is still here with us but she doesn't remember who we are. She lies in her room sleeping, or drooling, or tossing wildly.
Granny is fading. So are Mom and me.
Pearl's grandmother is dying. She doesn't speak. She doesn't get out of bed. She doesn't even remember who Pearl is. Anyone--anyone--who has ever lived through this will immediately know exactly how Pearl feels. No wonder she can't write stupid poems that rhyme.
Heather Potter's illustrations are the catalyst that moves this book beyond the ordinary. Murphy's story is powerful. Combine it with Potter's illustrations and it's heart-rendering:
My class is made up of groups: the sporty boys' group, the ballet girls' group, the library kids' group, the bus kids' group, the rough kids' group.
I am in a group of one.
Ohhh...{{sigh}}. Add Potter's drawing of Pearl, sitting isolated behind a tree while the other children play together, and your heart just might fall right out of your chest.
Books that help children address the death of a loved one are particularly touching to me. The best I've read in a very long time is the picture book The Scar by Charlotte Moundlic. Now we have a book longer than a picture book but still a quick read that also does a very good job. We hear Pearl's thoughts about Granny slipping away, about Granny dying, about how it feels to grieve. It's simple, and it's beautiful. ...more
HA! Some of the poems here made me unexpectedly laugh out loud. The poem "written" by Jack's cow (of Jack & the Beanstalk fame) was one of those. I doHA! Some of the poems here made me unexpectedly laugh out loud. The poem "written" by Jack's cow (of Jack & the Beanstalk fame) was one of those. I don't have the book next to me, so I cannot quote it, but the cow is chewing through the beanstalk because "I'm worth more than 5 magic beans". That's the kind of snarky book this is. Pretty funny.
Lots of false apologies here. You know the kind: when someone forces you to apologize but you so do not mean it. That's what you have here. In a tribute to William Carlos Williams' poem 'This Is Just to Say", Levine has filled a book with false apologies. The cow isn't really sorry she's chewing through the beanstalk. She's wreaking her vengeance and she wants Jack to know it. There are several allusions to fairy tales here, and many of those are among the wittier, darker poems in the book.
Middle school creative writing classes could have a ton of fun using the inspiration they'll get from this poetry....more
Voices of the Underground Railroad sing, shout, cry, and whisper in these poems that take the reader from the moment a slave decides to attempt escapeVoices of the Underground Railroad sing, shout, cry, and whisper in these poems that take the reader from the moment a slave decides to attempt escape to the moments slaves reach freedom in the north. A mix of emotions emerge from poem to poem: anger, fear, desperation, desire, gratitude, and ultimately, hope. The historical era slave dialect may make the reading and comprehension challenging for some readers; understanding seems to come easier when the poetry is read aloud, making this book good for sharing. Each spread features one or more paintings that illustrate the action taking place and help readers visualize the danger and the pain. Middle school libraries should purchase this lovely but haunting book for their collections, while Language Arts teachers may want to include this in their curriculum....more
These poems are a little sophisticated, with some tough vocabulary, but read aloud in just the right creepy tone, some of them will send shivers up anThese poems are a little sophisticated, with some tough vocabulary, but read aloud in just the right creepy tone, some of them will send shivers up and down the spine.
The poem I find creepiest? "The Ghoul." Seriously. He's just waiting outside, sitting on the monkey bars, waiting for school to let out.
So he can drag you away by your hair and EAT YOU. ...more
Anyone who has ever had a little sister or been a little sister will identify with Jessica’s voice in this charming book of verse, and those without sAnyone who has ever had a little sister or been a little sister will identify with Jessica’s voice in this charming book of verse, and those without siblings can get a good understanding of what it’s like from reading these poems. From the ugly, jealous, angry moments to the funny, precious, loving ones, the realm of emotions that come with having a younger sister is here. The poems are brief and descriptive, and accompanied by Nancy Carpenter’s vibrant watercolors, give readers a real sense of who these two girls are. Wonderful for sharing one-on-one with siblings.
Here's the poem entitled "Snooping": One good thing about a little sister is that if I give her a boost she can reach that mysterious box hidden on the top shelf.
One bad thing about a little sister is that she can't keep secrets. When my secrets are inside Emma, they leak out slowly, like air out of a balloon, or fast -- in one enormous Tattletale Explosion.
This story-in-poems celebrates family and the bond between father and son, even through peril and distance. The language and imagery are lovely, and IThis story-in-poems celebrates family and the bond between father and son, even through peril and distance. The language and imagery are lovely, and I appreciate the tremendous hope with which it ends. Though the text is very well written, Leo & Diane Dillon's acrylic and watercolor illustrations are my favorite part of the book. I really love the thick, bold lines. They have the look of woodwork or carvings into metal, echoing the work of the blacksmiths Dinga and young Musafa, and are beautiful in their simplicity.
The vivid imagery makes this a valuable tool in middle and high school language arts classes....more
45 short, illustrated poems for kids are presented in small format, perfect for introducing poetry to new readers. Each poem addresses a different mom45 short, illustrated poems for kids are presented in small format, perfect for introducing poetry to new readers. Each poem addresses a different moment on Sam's family vacation to the ocean, beginning with packing the car and ending with them safe at home at trip's end. In between, his family visits an art museum, spends the night with relatives and in a motel, camps out, goes horseback riding, and more, all seen through Sam's eyes. In a poem titled "Hiking", Sam says:
What a / cool / place / to hike. I see tons / of stuff / I like. Wish / I had / a bigger / jar. I'd take / these / scorpions / in / the / car.
Every poem is short and funny enough to hold a child's interest, with accessible vocabulary and humorous cartoons. This would make a nice addition to elementary libraries....more
Usually I don't like rhyming poetry very much. It always seems trite to me, I guess. But the poems in this picture book don't come across that way. ThUsually I don't like rhyming poetry very much. It always seems trite to me, I guess. But the poems in this picture book don't come across that way. They're clever, brief, and illustrated--all the things I would've needed in a book of poetry for it to keep my attention when I was a kid.
One of my favorites, and one that's perfect for use in the classroom around Thanksgiving, is "A Wild Turkey Comments on His Portrait", where the turkey complains about kids tracing around their hands to draw his portrait and painting him in dull colors: I find it most insulting that you traced around your hand and colored all my feathers either plain old brown or tan.
Where's the copper? Where's the gold that a turkey should expect? Where on earth is raw sienna, and where is the respect?
Finally, I'm baffled that you've made me look so dumb. My head is quite distinguished and it's nothing like a thumb.
Funny, and perfect for sharing with kids when they are creating those insulting hand turkeys for the holiday.
My other favorite is "The Forest's Royal Family": In golden coats and velvet crowns the deer inspect their royal grounds-- their breezy castles rising high, their kingdonm built of trees and sky.
I like that one for the images it evokes of deer standing regally in the quiet of the forest.
Altogether, this is a quick and enjoyable read for kids, whether they think they enjoy poetry or not.
Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award 2012 Master List...more
Read this straight through in one evening. It repeatedly put me in mind of an outstanding teacher at my school, whose family immigrated to the United Read this straight through in one evening. It repeatedly put me in mind of an outstanding teacher at my school, whose family immigrated to the United States when she was about Ha's age. When we had a "Guess That Baby Picture" contest at school, she brought a school photo of herself around the age of 8, because that was all she had. There were no baby photos of her, no visual memories of her early years; they were too poor for photographs. All through this book I kept thinking, "I wonder if this is what it was like for her," and "I have to give her a copy of this book, see what she thinks of it."
Me? I thought it was wonderful. I am always drawn to novels written in free verse. The form forces a talented author to show clarity and emotion with minimal language, and Lai's is just beautiful. It helped me understand what it would feel like to move from a familiar, beloved homeland to a new country with foreign customs, words, foods, and faces, to suddenly feel stupid because you cannot communicate verbally. Entitled Feel Dumb, this poem expresses that feeling succinctly:
MiSSS SScott / points to me, / then to the letters / of the English alphabet.
I say / A B C and so on.
She tells the class to clap.
I frown.
MiSSS SScott / points to the numbers / along the wall.
I count up to twenty.
The class claps / on its own.
I'm furious, / unable to explain / I already learned / fractions / and how to purify / river water.
So this is / what dumb / feels like.
I hate, hate, hate it.
Because of Lai's insight, I gain insight myself. I can place myself in Ha's shoes in that moment. I feel what she is feeling. And I hurt for her. I get a sense of how must it feel to be physically and verbally attacked because I look different from everyone else in the room, because I cannot speak their words, because I practice a different religion, because I am an outsider with no idea of how I can make them understand me, know me. I am able to see how even good intentions can hurt, as the situation in the above poem and several others demonstrate.
There is so much pain in this little novel, but oh, so much hope. Just beautiful....more
Genius. Seriously. Not sure how he did it, exactly, but Lee Wardlaw has obviously transmogrified into the body of a shelter cat. Otherwise, he couldn'Genius. Seriously. Not sure how he did it, exactly, but Lee Wardlaw has obviously transmogrified into the body of a shelter cat. Otherwise, he couldn't know so perfectly what that cat would be thinking, and be able to put those thoughts into such lovely, comical, heartbreaking haiku.
Each one is absolutely perfect. Maybe it's that with haiku words must be economical, which gives them extra punch. Two of my (many) favorites: Dogs have hair. Cats, fur. Dogs whine, yip, howl, bark. Cats purrr. I say: No contest.
No rush. I've got plans. Gnaw this paw. Nip that flea. And wish: Please, Boy, pick me.
Curriculum Connection: Haiku, obviously, but use with Dogku by Andrew Clements and Tim Bowers....more
I didn't really enjoy the poems here, but I can see a possible use in secondary creative writing classrooms, where an instructor might have students rI didn't really enjoy the poems here, but I can see a possible use in secondary creative writing classrooms, where an instructor might have students read these poems, then write a "twisted" rhyme of their own based on another Mother Goose rhyme. However, I think he/she would definitely have to spend some time introducing the class to the original rhymes, because most of today's kids don't know the Mother Goose rhymes. That said, the humor here would be lost on them without prior instruction....more
I can only imagine how Singer wrote this, it's boggles my mind a little bit. Really creative. Would make a challenging writing assignment for gifted kI can only imagine how Singer wrote this, it's boggles my mind a little bit. Really creative. Would make a challenging writing assignment for gifted kids....more
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