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.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Troupe, Quincy. 2005. Little Stevie Wonder. Ill. by Lisa Cohen. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN-13: 978-0618340606.

SUMMARY
A biographical book geared for a younger age group of 9-12. A compact disc accompanies this book displaying two songs from the artist Stevie Wonder.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
A simple book with bright colorful illustrations tells the story of Stevland Judkins Morris Hardaway, most popularly known as Stevie Wonder. The appeal of this book will come from the love of the artist by the person presenting the book to the younger generations. Of course, children will be unaware of Stevie Wonder but after reading this awe-inspiring biography at least an appreciation of his accomplishments will be acknowledged by children and adults...in spite of his inability to see with his eyes. The poetry in this book mainly incorporates the musicians song, Isn't he lovely throughout the book to illustrate the author's feelings about Stevie Wonder--accompanied by small biographical paragraphs in between.

Oh, isn't he lovely,

this blind black boy born to love everyone,

who feels and knows everything

through his fingertips and ears?

Genius boy who sees through sound 

a toy car that drops on the hard floor,

a quarter, a pin, a baseball,

a dime that falls on the countertop.

Stevland Judkins Morris Hardaway,

whose head lives in dreams,

is always making up songs inside a rich

imagination.

INTRODUCTION/EXTENSION
This is a wonderful book to share with all elementary age groups. This offers the opportunity to experience the life and outstanding accomplishments of someone with a physical handicap. Other biographies of famous handicapped women and men in history can be explored and displayed throughout the classroom or library (e.g. Helen Keller). A celebration of their works despite of their handicap can be addressed. The musical lyrics of Stevie Wonder can be read aloud by different students or as a choral reading. Exploration of the musician's website http://steviewonder.net/news.aspx and latest news can connect the students to Wonder's current events/activities.


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