National Poetry Month is at an end for this year. I've had such fun reading the great posts in the blogosphere this month.
My favorites have been the Poetry Makers' Series at The Miss Rumphius Effect and Elaine's original poems over at Wild Rose Reader.
For those of you who missed the fun, it's not too late. Elaine of Wild Rose Reader has compiled weekly reviews (with links) of the blogosphere's celebration of National Poetry Month 2010.
Week 1 in Review
Week 2 in Review
Week 3 in Review
Week 4 in Review
Final Days in Review
Happy last day of Poetry Month 2010! Looking forward to National Poetry Month 2011.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Steady Hands: Poems about Work by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
In this collection, Zimmer offers readers an inside look at many professions including electrician, librarian, florist, and filmmaker. Using third person narration, Zimmer seems to take on the persona of each profession.
What I thought: A great collection! Every poem was a surprise. I’d be interested to know how much research Zimmer did for the collection. My favorite poems were “Writer,” “Librarian,” and “Florist.” I love how Zimmer disregards gender roles. The electrician is a woman. The librarian is a guy. I think teachers and home schooling parents will find this collection particularly useful. I have an urge to write my own profession poem. I loved the illustrations. They suited each poem perfectly.
(Illus. Megan Halsey & Sean Addy. New York: Clarion, 2009)
What I thought: A great collection! Every poem was a surprise. I’d be interested to know how much research Zimmer did for the collection. My favorite poems were “Writer,” “Librarian,” and “Florist.” I love how Zimmer disregards gender roles. The electrician is a woman. The librarian is a guy. I think teachers and home schooling parents will find this collection particularly useful. I have an urge to write my own profession poem. I loved the illustrations. They suited each poem perfectly.
(Illus. Megan Halsey & Sean Addy. New York: Clarion, 2009)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A Curious Collection of Cats: Concrete Poems by Betsy Franco
The title says it all.
What I thought: This collection has the charm of Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. The illustrations are great—so colorful. I find it intriguing that there are no lines only color. My favorite poems are:
“Veronica Goes Wild”
“Fluff is Polydactyl”
“Ear Decorations”
“Binky’s Kittens”
Normally, I don't like concrete poems, but I enjoyed this collection immensely.
(Illus. Michael Wertz. Berkley, CA: Bicycle Press, 2009)
What I thought: This collection has the charm of Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. The illustrations are great—so colorful. I find it intriguing that there are no lines only color. My favorite poems are:
“Veronica Goes Wild”
“Fluff is Polydactyl”
“Ear Decorations”
“Binky’s Kittens”
Normally, I don't like concrete poems, but I enjoyed this collection immensely.
(Illus. Michael Wertz. Berkley, CA: Bicycle Press, 2009)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Falling Down the Page: A Book of List Poems edited by Georgia Heard
Did you ever think a simple list could be a poem? Well, it can. This collection demonstrates the numerous ways.
What I thought: The list poem is going to be one of my new favorite forms. It’s so simple, but can be used in so many ways. My favorite poems are:
“On the Menu for School Today” by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
“Things To Do If You Are a Pencil” by Elaine Magliano
“Booktime” by Avis Harley
“Just Look” by Valiska Gregory
“Walking Home from School I See” by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
I'm pleased to say that I won a copy of this collection from Elaine at Wild Rose Reader. She's offering a poetry book giveaway for each week of National Poetry Month. I'll be donating my copy of Falling Down the Page to my local public library. I want children to discover the magic that is poetry.
(New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2009)
What I thought: The list poem is going to be one of my new favorite forms. It’s so simple, but can be used in so many ways. My favorite poems are:
“On the Menu for School Today” by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
“Things To Do If You Are a Pencil” by Elaine Magliano
“Booktime” by Avis Harley
“Just Look” by Valiska Gregory
“Walking Home from School I See” by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
I'm pleased to say that I won a copy of this collection from Elaine at Wild Rose Reader. She's offering a poetry book giveaway for each week of National Poetry Month. I'll be donating my copy of Falling Down the Page to my local public library. I want children to discover the magic that is poetry.
(New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2009)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Reading Ramona Take 2
Book 2: Ramona the Pest
First published in 1968
8 chapters, 192 pages (New York: Dell Yearling)
Illustrated by Louis Darling
Look out Glenwood Elementary! Ramona Quimby is five-years-old and starting kindergarten. Will Ramona survive her first year of school? Will the school survive Ramona?
Another great book about Ramona and company. Such a quick, easy read and so entertaining. Beverly Cleary's goal was to write books about "kids like us" and she has definitely succeeded. My favorite part in the book was the Halloween parade. Such fun! My granny made all my costumes growing up. I was a wizard, a prairie girl, a colonial girl, a school teacher, an old lady and I can't remember what else, but I remember what fun dressing up was.
My favorite quote: "She was a girl who could not wait. Life was so interesting she had to fin out what happened next" (page 11, Chapter 1: Ramona's Great Day).
Up next, book 3: Ramona the Brave.
Just a reminder the movie Ramona and Beezus opens on July 23. Only 13 more weeks to go!
First published in 1968
8 chapters, 192 pages (New York: Dell Yearling)
Illustrated by Louis Darling
Look out Glenwood Elementary! Ramona Quimby is five-years-old and starting kindergarten. Will Ramona survive her first year of school? Will the school survive Ramona?
Another great book about Ramona and company. Such a quick, easy read and so entertaining. Beverly Cleary's goal was to write books about "kids like us" and she has definitely succeeded. My favorite part in the book was the Halloween parade. Such fun! My granny made all my costumes growing up. I was a wizard, a prairie girl, a colonial girl, a school teacher, an old lady and I can't remember what else, but I remember what fun dressing up was.
My favorite quote: "She was a girl who could not wait. Life was so interesting she had to fin out what happened next" (page 11, Chapter 1: Ramona's Great Day).
Up next, book 3: Ramona the Brave.
Just a reminder the movie Ramona and Beezus opens on July 23. Only 13 more weeks to go!
S is for Story: A Writer’s Alphabet by Esther Hershenhorn
Hershenhorn uses the alphabet to explore writing. In 26 stanzas (and extra informational paragraphs), she covers all the fundamentals of writing from the alphabet to Zorro.
What I Thought: An absolute gem especially for the tween crowd. The information is simple and frank. I learned quite a lot myself. Loved the quotes from children’s authors and the writing tips. If I ever start a writing group for the tween crowd, S is for Story will be my go-to resource. The illustrations were great—realistic and yet a little fantastic.
(Illus. Zachary Pullen. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 2009)
What I Thought: An absolute gem especially for the tween crowd. The information is simple and frank. I learned quite a lot myself. Loved the quotes from children’s authors and the writing tips. If I ever start a writing group for the tween crowd, S is for Story will be my go-to resource. The illustrations were great—realistic and yet a little fantastic.
(Illus. Zachary Pullen. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 2009)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways by Avis Harley
Ms. Harley uses one poetic form, the acrostic, to explore animals of the African continent.
What I thought: Stupendous poems. They read well and look even better on the page. Love the photographs—they really capture the animals’ vitality. I liked the “lesson” at the end pf the book on the form. Teachers will appreciate this book. Kids like animals, especially exotic ones. Could there be a better way to teach poetry?
The acrostic was the form I cut my poetic teeth on. During freshman English in high school, we had to write acrostic poems. I don’t even remember if the teacher named the form. He just explained what to do. I amused myself long after the assignment was over writing acrostics about everything from animals to holidays. Incidentally, one of the first acrostic poems I wrote was about an African animal, the elephant. Here it is in all its juvenile glory:
Everlasting memory of the
Long drifting plains of Africa
Elongated trunk marks a regal beast
Playing in the river
Halting only as the sun sinks beyond
After dusk he roams
Never resting, marching
To the sound of the wind
(Photographs by Deborah Noyes. Somerville, MA: Candlewick, 2009)
What I thought: Stupendous poems. They read well and look even better on the page. Love the photographs—they really capture the animals’ vitality. I liked the “lesson” at the end pf the book on the form. Teachers will appreciate this book. Kids like animals, especially exotic ones. Could there be a better way to teach poetry?
The acrostic was the form I cut my poetic teeth on. During freshman English in high school, we had to write acrostic poems. I don’t even remember if the teacher named the form. He just explained what to do. I amused myself long after the assignment was over writing acrostics about everything from animals to holidays. Incidentally, one of the first acrostic poems I wrote was about an African animal, the elephant. Here it is in all its juvenile glory:
Everlasting memory of the
Long drifting plains of Africa
Elongated trunk marks a regal beast
Playing in the river
Halting only as the sun sinks beyond
After dusk he roams
Never resting, marching
To the sound of the wind
(Photographs by Deborah Noyes. Somerville, MA: Candlewick, 2009)
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