Poetry Paws--Module Six

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Janeczko, Paul B. 2007. Hey, You!: Poems to Skyscrapers, Mosquitoes, and Other Fun Things. Ill. by Robert Rayevsky. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-052347-3.

SUMMARY
An anthology suited for children ages 4-8. Janeczko cleverly selected poems that are written about things...living and not.



CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is a record of poetry that creatively displays conversations between the authors and their object of choice. For example, some poems are written to farms, mosquitoes, skyscrapers, etc. This book would appeal to the elementary age group for it's silliness, it's frankness, and variety. The poems are easy to understand but are not overly simplistic. Listed below is one of the poems that would most certainly appeal to children that marvel silliness and things that are gross in nature.

To A Maggot in an Apple
Richard Edwards

You lie there like a baby,
Frail and soft and curled,
I'm sorry that I broke in
To your safe white world.
I really didn't mean to,
Just blame my appetite
For laying bare your cradle
And letting in the light.
One question then I'll leave you
To slumber in the bin--
I'm feeling rather queasy,
Er...did you have a twin?


Introduction/Extension: A fun way to introduce this book is to have someone read aloud one of their favorite poems from the book, then allow the children to separate into small groups, read, select their favorite poems, and create a mini-mural of those poems. In addition, the children can write a poem about an object of their choice.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hill, Laban Carrick. 2010. Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave. Ill. by Bryan Collier. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0316107310.

SUMMARY
A book of poetry and historical facts for children ages 4-8. This is a historical depiction of the life of Dave the Potter, an extraordinary artist, poet, and potter from the 1800s.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is filled with outstanding pictures that beautifully illustrates the livelihood of Dave the potter, poet, and artist. It takes the reader on the journey of making a pot with Dave from dirt to the carving of the final touches of poetry onto the pottery--which was a signature trademark of the artist. This book will enlighten the reader of the accomplishments of someone under the oppressive circumstance of slavery. It will motivate the reader that they can do anything under any circumstance if they are determined to do so. Hill's poetry is simple and informative of Dave's work in the beginning of the book. Towards the end, the actual work is shown and the poetry carvings (mistakes and all) are further explored and explained to the reader. This book also received the distinctive Caldecott Honor book recognition of 2011.

On wet days,
heavy with rainwater,
it is cool and squishy,
mud pie heaven.
But to Dave
it was clay,
the plain and basic stuff
upon which he learned to
form a life
as a slave nearly
two hundred years ago.

(an actual poem carved by Dave)
Dave belongs to Mr. Miles/
wher the oven bakes & the pot biles ///--July 31, 1840


Introduction/Extension: A great way to introduce this book is to read it aloud to the group and explore the websites that the author listed within the book--this will help the reader know more about Dave, e.g.:
An educator's guide to Dave--www.digitaltraditions.net/html/D_Resources.cfm. Also, schedule a visit to see or invite a local potter to demonstrate the making of pottery will further involve the students in the art of pottery.

Poetry Paws--Module Five

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sidman, Joyce. 2006. Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry. Ill. by Michelle Berg. Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN-13: 978-0618448944.

SUMMARY
A concrete poetry book that is suited for children ages 4-8. Thirty-two pages of colorful illustrations and creative poem structure--this book can appeal to the younger age group as well as provide entertainment to the adult reader whilst the child is being read to.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

I enjoyed this book because of the creative way the poet used the elements of concrete (or shape) poetry to further express herself. On one hand, the story of the dog and cat adventure can entertain and engage the younger child and it can seem as if it is the only story of the book...until you begin to read the poetry within the sidewalk of the book. That is when one realizes that the story has more to it than meets the eye. The poetry comes from the background illustrations (e.g., the sidewalk, the clouds, the grass, etc.) This little surprise of hidden concrete poetry, when pointed out to the child, will make the book even more enjoyable. I found myself fully engaged and searching for the next concrete poem and delighting in how the poet creatively shaped the poems within the scenes.

Excerpt

Click to enlarge

Introduction/Extension: A fun way to introduce this book is to use similar looking dog and cat puppets to engage the young audience. The teacher or leader of the story time can also share his or her feelings about the book initially and encourage the children to share their likes and dislikes of the book.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Myers, Walter Dean. 2008. Jazz. Ill. by Christopher Myers. New York: Holiday House. ISBN-13: 978-0823421732

SUMMARY
A great book that is intended for the young adult. This book introduces the audience to Jazz and the New Orleans culture. Native New Orleans will enjoy the presentation of their local  traditions and ceremony displayed within.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Myers did a fine job writing this book with a mix of long and short phrasing throughout. Some of the poetry, when read aloud, sounds like a blues/jazz song--which probably was the writer's intent. The use of short and choppy phrases bode well with mimicking syncopation and other musical elements. On the same note, long phrasing was also used to mimic long-winded singing or a legato feel. This book will appeal to natives of Louisiana or lovers of the New Orleans alike. The illustrations are colorful fluid paintings--completed by the son, Christopher Myers--that help the reader with the imagery of seeing the culture that the poet is trying to share.

Excerpt of Good-Bye To Old Bob Johnson

click to enlarge

Introduction/Extension: A good way to introduce this book is to use either an actual musician (e.g., a trumpeter) or a Jazz enthusiast to help present this book and the Jazz genre. Inviting someone from New Orleans as a guest speaker would be great also to further explore the New Orleans lifestyle.



BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fleischman, Paul. 2008. Big Talk: Poems for Four Voices. Ill. by Beppe Giacobbe. Massachusetts: Candlewick. ISBN-13: 978-0763638054.

SUMMARY
A clever, color-coded book of juvenile poetry for two or more readers to participate in choral reading.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is crazy and fun to perform. I actually did it with another person--so a total of two people. I giggled the whole way through. If I found it humorous, I'm sure this book will also amuse children--especially if done with friends or classmates. The way the author wrote the poetry resembles four-part sheet music. The poetry used is easy then becomes progressively harder. There are three different poems in all. At the beginning of the book, the author explains how to read the book and suggests tips to follow to successfully read the book.

Excerpt

click to enlarge

          

Introduction/Extension:
One way to introduce this book is to provide an enthusiastic group of individuals to perform the activities in front of the class (preferably people that are not shy). An excellent extension is to expose the readers to four-part choral sheet music and encourage structuring previously written poetry into poems for two to four voices. Later, a presentation of the project can be presented to the class. 


This is a poetry evaluation for LS 5663 Poetry For Children and Young Adults--a class at Texas Woman's University (TWU).

Poetry Paws--Module Four

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Rogasky, Barbara. 2001. Leaf by leaf: autumn poems. Ill. by Mark Tauss. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN-13: 978-0590253475.

SUMMARY
Leaf by leaf, a anthology of 25 poems and excerpts about the autumn season. This book is for reading grade levels 4-8.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The mood of this book is complex. Some of the poetry is very intelligently written and evokes emotions of peace, love of natural beauty, and sadness. This book has potential appeal to older youth groups to adult. Each poem fills the mind with imagery of realism of the things that happen in the autumn season--from bike-riding, the chore of leave removal, and the unfolding of the earth's natural changes. The beautiful photography lends tremendous support to the text and aids the reader in further visualizing the scenically described poetry of the country as well as the city during autumn. The author celebrates the oncoming of autumn, the loss of summer, and the anticipation of winter through several collected poems.

wild weather

Winter is coming! The wind that blows

Hard from the north, from the land of snows,

Nips the fingers and reddens the nose,

Whips the branches and tugs the clothes

     And strips the tree,

Till nothing is left of her yellow attire;

And hoar frost streaks the choclatey mire,

And crows string like crotchets along the wire,

And wanderers think of home and fire,

     And so do we. 

                        --Shirley Hughes


INTRODUCTION/EXTENSION

This book is can be implemented into the science curriculum as supplementary poetry reading to introduce different poetry styles that celebrate the autumn season.To further engage the student, each student can take pictures of whatever interests them about their favorite season of the year and either write poetry about the picture or collect poetry that best describes the pictures taken. A collage of pictures and poetry can then be displayed in the classroom poetry corner or in a specified poetry corner of the school library.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
David Roessel and Arnold Rampersad. Poetry for Young People: Hughes, Langston. 2006. Ill. by Benny Andrews. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1402718458.

SUMMARY
A book of some of Langston Hughes poetry for young people, typically of ages 9-12. This book introduces the reader to a range of topics: from the social life of the African American during a time of oppression to the musical appreciation of jazz. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This collection of poetry by Langston Hughes is displayed with actual reflections and comments from the poet's life--such things and events that inspired the poem in some way. The book starts with an overview of Langston Hughes biography and with each poem displayed is a life reference from or about Langston Hughes. This element of the book made the poetry come alive in a different way--it gave a better understanding of the poet's perspective. Many a reader will find great appeal in the incorporation of dialect, musical rhythm of jazz/spirituals, and the love of the African American culture that is a specifically unique writing style of Hughes.

The Weary Blues

(excerpt)

Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
        I heard a Negro play...
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan---
        "Ain't got nobody in all this world,
             Ain't got nobody but ma self.
             I's gwine to quit ma frownin'
             And put ma troubles on the shelf."


INTRODUCTION/EXTENSION

This book can be an excellent addition to the study of African American social studies as well as supplementary biography about the great poet, Langston Hughes. There are many avenues that can be celebrated and explored with this book. Students can be reminded of the life and times of the 1920s for the African American people. Each child can pick their favorite poem from the book and share it with the class--all the while dressed in costume, mimicking someone that they admired during that time period. A small party with displays of things significant to the 1920s can be displayed throughout the class or library with music of that time also played in the background.

Poetry Paws--Module Three

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grandits, John. 2004. Technically, It's Not My Fault. Ill. by John Grandits. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN-13: 978-0-618-42833-5.

SUMMARY
This book of concrete poetry is packed full of imaginative poems that will entertain smart-alecks of all ages. There are 28 poems total with each written with the main character, Robert, as the narrator and driver of each poem. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
My first thought about the layout, illustrations, and poem structures was...COOL! This book provides the reader with excellent examples of multiple possibilities of concrete (shape) poem structure. Red, black, and white illustrations lend direction to how the poetry should be read from start to finish. This book has great potential to appeal to the misunderstood geniuses out there in the world. The main character is a boy--expressing his thoughts and antics--from sibling rivalry to challenging adult authority, to which will definitely appeal to boys alike. All children of school age, no matter the gender, can appreciate the commonalities expressed within the poetry of this book. My Stupid Day is one of those gender neutral poems that can appeal to both sexes--as well as all ages. It completely exemplifies the typical rut that we all find ourselves stuck in on a daily basis. This poem would be great when read aloud about three to four times to feel the full effect of the rut. :-)

For a closer view, click pic to enlarge

Introduction: This book is hilarious and would be a great book of concrete poetry to introduce to older school age children--to encourage a love for poetry.

Extension: Have children draw a picture of a favorite toy, item, or symbol that reflects something significant in their past or present. Then, have them construct their own shape poem within their drawing. Expose the children to about two additional concrete poetry books from different authors to compare different styles.



BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hauth, Katherine B. 2011. What's for Dinner?: Quirky, Squirmy Poems from the Animal World. Ill. by David Clark. Massachusetts: Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1570914713.

Poetry Paws--Module Two

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. Please Bury Me in the Library. Ill. by Kyle M. Stone. Florida: Gulliver Books Harcourt, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-0152163877.

SUMMARY
This book of poetry is a homage to reading, literacy, libraries, and many things associated. Sixteen poems in all are listed within this book. The intended audience is children between the ages of six to nine. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
After reading this book, I could see the goal of the poet was to inspire and encourage readers to utilize libraries as well as foster the love of reading. The poems were well constructed and intelligently written. When read aloud by an animated adult or teacher, the humor within may appeal to some children. The illustrations supported the poems with bold and colorful expressions of acrylic paint. Lewis' phrasing and word choice is creatively constructed and lends well to sparking the reader's imagination. Many of the poems cleverly promote books of old and illuminates the characteristics of a good or bad book. Case in point,  see the poem What If Books Had Different Names? listed below.

What If Books Had Different Names?
(excerpt)
What if books had different names
Like Alice in...Underland?
Furious George,
Goodnight Noon,
Babar the Beaver

Introduction: this book would be great to introduce at the elementary level to promote library use and begin the child's reading journey. It can be read prior to visiting the library at the beginning of the semester.

Extension: Children can be asked to name one or two of their favorites book of poems or books that they are reminded of when they hear this book. A day can be designated to allow the children to bring their favorite book from home.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mora, Pat. 2007. Yum! MmMm! Que rico! Americas' Sproutings. Ill. by Rafael Lopez. New York: Lee and Low Books Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1584302711.

SUMMARY
This is a great book of poetry that celebrates the different foods that are grown in the Americas. Written in haiku style and packed full of food and fun facts for each one.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is a colorfully illustrated, culturally-enriched book of haiku style poetry. This books seems to be intended for the Hispanic American culture to promote the love of food and its origins. For exploring Hispanic American heritage, this book will appeal to any reader with that particular interest or curiosity of another culture. Parents, children, and teachers alike can enjoy this book for the whimsical illustrations, the haiku itself, and the informative backstory of each food highlighted within. This is a excellent book to familiarize students to the haiku...with a multicultural twist. Mora uses simple traditionally known foods as her subject matter and artistically introduces the reader to edible world around us...all the while, celebrating family heritage, togetherness, and the seasonal environment.

Pecan

We crack hard, brown shells,

family munching, story time,

crunchy taste of fall.

Introduction: this book would be great to introduce at the elementary level to promote agriculture and healthy eating. The haiku can be read aloud by individual students while the teacher reads the individual foods background information and facts.


Extension: Children can be asked to bring in a favorite naturally grown food that is listed within the book. The food brought in can be placed on a food pyramid display. The teacher or instructor can explore the United States Department of Agriculture with the children and allow time for computer playtime for interaction on the MyPyramid Blastoff computer game--which can be found on MyPyramid.gov website.      


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Florian, Douglas. 2006. Handsprings. Ill. by Douglas Florian. China: Greenwillow Books. ISBN-13: 978-0060092801.

SUMMARY
This book of poetry celebrates the seasonal change from Winter to Spring. From food, to games, spring-cleaning chores, and weather...all things that one can imagine that relates to Spring is written into multiple

inventive poetry formats.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book has great quality and appeal for all lovers of Spring (like myself). Its sing-song rhythm and rhyme sounds wonderful read-aloud. The reader can envision the activities of spring through these poems. Florian expressed some of his poetry outstandingly through pattern and through his own watercolor paintings. One in particular was especially creative and delightful. The pattern mimicked the subject matter of the poem...rain.

Rain Reign (excerpt)
E    E      W     F
a     a       e      a
c     c               s
h     h        h      t
                 u
t      t         r      i
i      i          r     n
m    m        y,    d
e     e                o
                  s     o
i      i          c      r
t      t          u     s.
                  r
r      p         r
a      o         y
i       u
n       r
s       s

Introduction: this book would be great to introduce at the elementary level at the end of winter and for the approaching Spring season. It can be read aloud as a group or several students can read one aloud individually.


Extension: Children can be asked to name one or two of their favorites things that they enjoy about Spring. A collage of materials from nature (e.g., flowers), pictures, magazine clippings can be constructed into a book per child. In addition, each child can write a poem to explain their feelings about Spring and their collage.

This is a poetry evaluation for LS 5663 Poetry For Children and Young Adults--a class at Texas Woman's University (TWU).

Poetry Paws

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2005. Oh, No! Where Are My Pants? and Other Disasters: Poems. Ill. by Wolf Erlbruch. New York: HarperCollins Children's Books. ISBN-13: 978-0-688-17860-4

SUMMARY
This anthology of poetry edited by Hopkins is a well organized compilation of quirky poetry about childhood fears, mishaps, and disasters in life. The poetry listed within this book ranges from first-day-of-school issues to biting the worm in an apple.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Right away I could see the appeal of this anthology. Many of the poems within relate to familiar childhood experiences. The language of the poetry is very easily understood and invokes images that pulls at the reader's imagination of hypothetical situations. The first poem in the anthology stands out that illustrates both aforementioned appeals--which is cleverly named First Day written by Susan Hart Lindquist. It is a great example of a familiar childhood experience. Short and sweet and to the point...with a little rhyming thrown in.

FIRST DAY

This isn't the way

it was supposed to be-

                                                                You

                                                                           in

                                                                                    Room Two.

                                                                  Me

                                                                            in
                                                                                     Room Three.


The quality of the poem is evident by the way few words are used but it speaks volumes of a classic childhood situation--being moved from your best friend...the following school year. Any child can relate to the horrid surprise and spoiled plan of being in the same classroom/homeroom of your most closet pal. The separation and the alignment of the words You and Me mirrors the situation at hand. The illustration of two little girls separated, yet in adjacent rooms, further supports the poem. I immediately smiled in agreement after reading this poem because it brought back memories of my childhood as well...it struck the Oh No! chord of emotion.
This poem can be introduced appropriately on the first day of school. A great way to start the year and offset the anxiety of losing a friend to another classroom. Teachers can further plan an extension that can involve the students by having them write poems dedicated to their lost friends either lost to a class or to another school altogether.



BIBLIOGRAPHY
Prelutsky, Jack. 2006. What A Day It Was At School! Ill. by Doug Cushman. New York: Green Willow Books. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-082335-1

SUMMARY
This book of poetry is filled with laugh-out-loud humorous poetry. The main character of the book is a young school-age cat who has written a journal of sorts of about his day at school.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The author and illustrator cleverly begin the book of poems with a journal table of contents--listing all of the poems to follow by page number. The quality and appeal of this book are expressed in multiple ways. Every poem written reflects an event that has happened and will happen to a child in school. For example, the experience of not studying well for a test, to carrying an extremely heavy backpack, or the occasional trip to the library. The quality and craftiness was especially noted in the following poem. Prelutsky uses misspelled words within the poem to entertain the reader and promote the need to study for tests instead of doing everything but study. Any kid or adult (like myself) would get a kick out of seeing the horribly misspelled words...which many of us can attest to committing.

I WISH I'D STUDIED HARRDER 

(excerpt)

I wish I'd studied harrder

For our spellink test today.

I'm sorrie that I didn't,

Now I'm feeling some dismaye.

I'd like to get a passing graid,

But don't beleeve I will--

I think I got Whyoming wrong,

And Chyna, and Brazill.

This book can be used throughout the year to promote poetry reading. Students can experience an extension by picking out their favorite poem of the book and matching it with an actual event in their lives. Each student can read their favorite poem aloud or a choral reading can be an alternative depending on the confidence of the students.