Poetry Make Your Plans for Poem in Your Pocket Day!    Invite students and colleagues to choose a favorite poem and carry it in their pockets to celebrate the first national Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 17, sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. During the day, encourage readers to unfold and read their pocketed poems in celebration of the visions of poets. For more information visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/poem/html/home/home.shtmlon. To share your ideas or receive more information about Poem in Your Pocket Day, please contact Elaine Bleakney at ebleakney@poets.org.    I am planning to make a "fortune teller" (called by some a "cootie catcher") with a haiku under each flap. Our family loves to share our own efforts at haiku over the internet…my son-in-law calls it "blog-ku." What ever kind of poetry you prefer, keep in mind that poetry crys out to be read aloud and shared—go out and share a poem with someone you know. Reviews And Then There Were Eight: Poems About Space Laura Purdie Salas    A friendly entry, or a return visit, to poetry – an oft-dreaded subject for many ages. Salas has the knack of weaving wonderful words about the adventure that is space and our planets into engaging poems in various formats. This is a terrific piece to complement an integrated curriculum as the poetry easily lends itself to further exploration of the subjects. For example: Why was Pluto no longer considered a planet? Is it now? What do you think? The possibilities are endless. As a work of poetry this can stand alone. Following the poems are definitions of types of poetry (Haiku, Acrostics, etc.) and provide the page number for examples. When was the last time you read a cinquain? The photographs, which are mostly from NASA, are stunning as well, and will lead to further investigation. Take a look at the Sky Eye on page 7. Have fun imagining who or what could belong to that ‘eye.’ Art students will enjoy this as well, for its visual beauty and placement of text. Salas has done her homework for this book in the “A+ Books” series by making poetry enjoyable visually, textually and factually. Don’t forget to read the fine print on most of the double page spreads. 2008, Capstone Press, Ages 8 to 12, $23.93. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-4296-1207-X ISBN: 978-1-4296-1207-4 ISBN: 1-4296-1747-0 ISBN: 978-1-4296-1747-5 The Apprentice’s Masterpiece: A Story of Medieval Spain Melanie Little    Ramon is the son of a scribe, an apprentice scribe himself, and the great-grandson of conversos, those who converted from Judaism to Christianity in medieval Spain. Even though Ramon and his parents were raised Christian, the Inquisition has been making life hard for them. Amir is a Moor slave, a Muslim of Spain. Ramon and Amir’s worlds collide when Amir is given to Ramon’s family. The boys are about the same age and Ramon is jealous of the time his Papa spends with Amir learning to read and write Arabic. But one fateful day changes the course of both Amir’s and Ramon’s lives. Little’s descriptions of life in this time of distrust and fanaticism are made all the more poignant by the way they are written--this is a novel in verse, with Amir’s words sandwiched between Ramon’s. The imagery is brief for each poem, yet each one resonates of its own accord. Some are of the past, some of the present, some funny, many serious, but all make up the lives of Ramon and Amir in powerful words. While the language is easy to read, the subject matter is not. The format, however, makes it much more palatable and therefore easier to absorb than perhaps long, drawn-out, descriptive paragraphs of the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition would have been. This is an amazing tale of survival and hard-won friendship during a time of intolerance and pain for many. This would be a very good book to use in many different kinds of classes, from studying poetry to history, and also could be read on one’s own for its message of hope amid struggles. 2008, Annick Press, $19.95,Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Kathleen Foucart (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-1-55451-117-4 Barefoot: Poems for Naked Feet Stefi Weisburd Illustrations by Lori McElrath-Eslick    This fun picture book highlights the joys of feet having adventures. The twenty-seven poems found in the text are generally lighthearted and detailed, the images they create meshing well with the watercolor illustrations found on each page. Poems like “That Picture” and “Superfeet” introduce the idea of feet that are ready to be part of an adventure. These lead to poems that highlight where feet go--like the beach in “Godzilla at Her Sister’s Birthday Party,” or into any variety of shoes, as in “Vacant Houses” where the poet discusses the differences between living in high heels and pumps versus flip-flops or a dog-stolen old sneaker. Towards the end, we read poems focused on what feet “touch” as they stroll or play along the beach--“Hot! Hot! Hot!”--or as they experience Jacuzzi jets--“A Jacuzzi jet is writing urgentnotesonthebottomofmyfoot / It rushes torrents of worried words.” Finally we get foot experiences similar to being in a sleeping bag or being rubbed or being decorated with nail polish or henna in the poems “Saturday Night” and “Mehndi Party.” The poems are often as visual as their accompanying illustrations, especially the poem “Trampoline,” which provides the image of feet bouncing up and down. Again, this is a fun book that is very appropriate for early readers who want to show their reading skills or for parents who want a book that really uses imagery-words effectively. 2008, Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Jean Boreen, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-59078-306-1 ISBN: 1-59078-306-9 Big is Big (and Little Little): A Book of Contrasts J. Patrick Lewis Illustrated by Bob Barner    A delightfully animated story that begins comparing and contrasting right in the dedication and continues on a rhyming journey through the opposite features found in the animal world. The reader is immediately pulled into the big, bold, colorful pictures made from cut and torn paper. Each picture takes on a life of its own as it is used to make a contrast. From the sweet little bunny and the big mean bull, to the frog who disappointed his Dad and made him sad, each comparison is cleverly depicted in ways even the youngest reader will understand. The fun and friendly way the text changes colors, styles, sizes, and fonts adds to the overall appeal. This is a perfect book for a read aloud when teaching concepts. A perfect lap book for a one-on-one reading. A perfect book to curl up and read and enjoy by yourself. This is sure to become a favorite on children’s bookshelves at home, at the library, or at school. Antonyms have never had such fun as those on the pages of this book. 2007, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Kathy Leggett (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-8234-190-98 ISBN: 0-8234-1909-6 The Brothers' War: Civil War Voices in Verse J. Patrick Lewis     With the lines, "If war is nothing more than lists of battles/ Then human lives count less than saber rattles," Lewis leads the reader to his poetic tales of those affected by the American Civil War. The poems take the reader chronologically through the war. The image of a slave picking cotton recalls the major reason for the war. Within the poems are names of notables, such as Frederick Douglass, John Brown and William Tecumseh Sherman. There are also fictional names of ordinary people, such as Roy Pugh, the Rebel son, who was shot by his Yankee sergeant father at the First Battle of Bull Run. Two of the poems are presented as letters between father and son and express parental concern and the fears of a prisoner of war. The grim reminder of the cost of war is in the final solemn, cadenced poem, "Passing in Review." Great care was taken in the layout of this book. Almost every poem is accompanied by a photograph from the war and an informative caption. This is a superb way for older children and teens to be introduced to the Civil War. It also brings a deeper depth of understanding of the time period, the long-felt effects of that war and to the concept of war in general. An informative map of the United States 1861 - 1865 is accompanied by a timeline. Lewis describes his approach to this collection and each poem in the back of the book. An explanation of Matthew Brady studios, camera equipment and the difficulties of taking of photograph is included as well. This book should be in every middle school, high school, and public library. It is an important addition to the Civil War collection of books. 2007, National Geographic Society, Ages 12 to 18, $17.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo ISBN: 978-1-4263-0036-3 ISBN: 978-1-4263-0037-0 Birmingham, 1963 Carole Boston Weatherford    Weatherford’s free verse tersely but vividly recreates the feelings of a ten-year-old African-American girl in 1963 as individuals participating in the Civil Rights Movement are being confronted with police dogs and water canons. She recalls the meetings, and the marches, but in particular, the Sunday at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, where, after Sunday School, Ku Klux Klan members blew up the church, killing four young girls. The horror is made clear; then each of the girls is remembered in sadness. The black cloth cover under the dust jacket sets the emotional tone for the tragic story. Full-page black and white photographs from the time face the off-white text pages with their few lines of type plus gray photographic vignettes of objects related to the text, like fancy socks and gloves, or the coins for the collection plate. The images have been chosen to emphasize the drama of the hurtful events of the day. Brick-red geometric shapes are also repeated in varying positions on the text pages, perhaps suggesting the fragmentation of the church. They add a sense of mystery as they help unify the images. An Author’s Note adds factual historic information, while explaining the fictional function of the narrator of the moving presentation. 2007, WordSong/Boyds Mills Press, $17.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-59078-440-2 Sss 1-59078-440-5 A Child's Book of Poems Illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa    Originally published in 1969 (Grosset & Dunlap), this charming collection of primarily English poems and verses is lovingly illustrated in the traditional manner by the Gyo Fujikawa in both color and black and white. The poems and verses are primarily by well known authors of the late 19th and early 20th century such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Christina Rosetti, Longfellow, and Kate Greenaway, as well as folk rhymes and songs. The collection ranges in length from a few lines to a whole page and is a perfect first book of poems for nightly reading to preschoolers on up. The poems cover all subject matter, from the seasons and the weather to animals and gentle lessons on morality. The right amount of illustrations will keep a youngster interested, and one finds that the illustrations become just as memorable as the poems over the years. 2007 (orig. 1969), Sterling Publishing, $9.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-4027-5061-8 ISBN: 1-4027-5061-7 Dogku Andrew Clements Illustrations by Tim Bowers    In a note Clements explains the challenge of writing a haiku, in seventeen syllables, 5/7/5. Within the limits of this “small container” format, which he compares to a picture book, he manages to tell the tale of a dog finding a home vividly and neatly. The appealing stray we meet on the jacket/cover is taken in, bathed, loved, and named Mooch by a family. He makes friends, enjoys a car ride, makes a mess in the house, and waits anxiously as the family seems to ponder his fate. When the dad returns with a dog bed, food, a bowl, and a toy, everyone seems as happy as the dog is that he has found a home at last. Bowers’s oil paints not only supply the expected house and garden but with greater passion offer an adorable, hairy little Mooch just loaded with personality. Even his mischief is easily forgiven. Sitting in his new bed with his new red collar, he gives us a look that assures us that he will soon have the family trained. 2007, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-689-85823-9 ISBN: 0-689-85823-X ISBN: 9781428748644 ISBN: 1428748644 Eggs Marilyn Singer Illustrated by Emma Stevenson    Don’t let the colorful pictures and the poem on the first page of this picture book fool you; this is a book with a lot of interesting and well-researched information on eggs! From the shape and color of eggs to their texture and where the egg(s) is laid before hatching, this book has everything any reader would want to know about eggs from all “walks of life.” From alligator eggs to oriole eggs, the author further fills us in on what nests are made of in different parts of the world by various birds, fish, and other animals. Additional sections highlight how eggs are protected by parents or colonies and the many challenges faced by certain animals as they protect their eggs from predators—many birds, snakes, fish—or environmental conditions—emperor penguins and how fish and amphibians actually hatch from their eggs. A very complete glossary, information related to the various organizations that promote education about the protection of wildlife, and a final comment on how eggs can and should be protected are included towards the end of the text. The illustrations are also extremely detailed and provide readers with a great sense of what the various eggs look like. This is a solid, non-fiction picture book. 2008, Holiday House, Ages 8 to 14, $16.95. Reviewer: Jean Boreen (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-8234-1727-8 ISBN: 0-8234-1727-1 Good Mornin', Ms. America: the U.S.A. in Verse J. Patrick Lewis Illustrated by Mark Clapsadle    Award-winning poet J. Patrick Lewis introduces children to a variety of poetic forms in this collection of whimsical poems celebrating a variety of states, cities, and communities across the country. There are references to history, such as Neil and Buzz taking a trip to the moon. Many poems encourage interaction, with missing letters to fill in and puzzles to solve. The colorful illustrations have a cartoonish quality that will appeal to readers. The collection is random and wandering, giving the impression of a long walk across the country. Young readers will find humor in the word play, funny descriptions, and engaging illustrations of such images as a mid-western farm, two mice piloting a mail plane flying over the country, children jumping rope in Cincinnati, cowboy country, and a special postcard from the San Diego zoo. Pleasurable for adults to read and children to hear. 2006, School Specialty Publishing, $15.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0769631703 ISBN: 9780769631707 ISBN: 087577908700 ISBN: 9780875779089 ISBN: 0875779085 Flashy, Clashy, and Oh-So Splashy: Poems About Color Laura Purdie Salas    Using the theme of color, fifteen poems are brought together in this poetry collection. The brightly colored, hot air balloons, the sunny yellow sunflowers, the summer green peas, and the brilliantly blue sea and sky are just a few of the photographs that illustrate the poetic exploration of a variety of different colors. Younger children may enjoy hearing the poetic words and seeing the photographs, while older children may be inspired to try and craft their own poems. In the back of the book are a few brief descriptions of some technical tools of poetry like alliteration and rhythm. The poet Laura Purdie Salas uses different forms of poetry--acrostic, cinquain, free verse, haiku, and limerick--to express the images of color. Included in the book are brief descriptions about the different poetic forms used and the page on which to locate an example of the form in the book. Related Internet sites via Fact Hound provide for additional resources on poetry. 2008, Capstone Press, $23.93, Ages 4 to 9. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-1-4296-1204-3 ISBN: 1-4296-1204-5 ISBN: 978-1-4296-1745-1 ISBN: 1-4296-1745-4 Good Sports: Rhymes About Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More Jack Prelutsky Illustrated by Chris Raschka    Children’s Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky and Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka collaborate on this paean to sports for kids. As its subtitle points out, this effort is about physical action. The “more” encompasses sturdy little poems about baseball, soccer, gymnastics, basketball, and more. Prelutsky strives mightily for worthy rhymes not only about the games themselves, but the concept of sportsmanship. As is his wont, he shines best in wry commentary. Only consider: “I had to slide into the plate,/It was my only chance./Though if I hadn’t slid, then I/Would not have lost my pants.” Or, “My dunk will be spectacular--/The greatest of them all./When I grow three feet taller,/I will dunk this basketball.” Raschka’s watercolor-and-ink drawings slip and slide right along with the poems. Putrid green and orange signify chances forever lost; broad swooshes of color imitate action; nebulous blob-like figures scrimmage with a will. Sports-oriented youngsters should eat up the results. 2007, Alfred A. Knopf, $16.99. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).    In this picture book, Chris Raschka’s watercolor-and-ink illustrations offer a visual feast for young readers. The poems emphasize athleticism as well as good sportsmanship. The most interesting aspect of this book is its inclusion of both positive and negative rhymes. The author does a wonderful job of incorporating children’s sports failures, but reminds readers that it is okay to mess up; at least give it a try. This idea is represented in the poem portraying the sport Frisbee, when it says, “She runs and tries to catch it, and I watch her miss and fall/We both like playing Frisbee, though we aren’t good at all.” Prelutsky also mentions a variety of sports, from typical ones such as basketball and football to less popular ones such as Frisbee, gymnastics, and karate. Relevant at a time when physical education is becoming rare in schools, this book promotes a healthy and active lifestyle for children, and it will appeal to both boys and girls because it includes such a wide range of sports. In fact, this book offers a wonderful way to incorporate poetry into physical education courses; the rhymes would be a great asset to promote good sportsmanship and healthy attitudes toward playing sports. American society’s emphasis on competition sometimes makes children forget to play sports just for fun, and this book helps to remind them of this element of sports. The illustrations are effective because of their childlike appearance and colorful yet simple designs. 2007, Alfred A. Knopf/Random House Children’s Books, $16.99. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Megan Elinski (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-375-83700-5 ISBN: 978-0-375-93700-2 ISBN: 0-375-83700-0 ISBN: 0-375-93700-5 Imaginary Menagerie: A Book of Curious Creatures Julie Larios Paintings by Julie Paschkis    Larios's poems, some with rhyme, draw vivid verbal pictures of fourteen imaginary creatures, from dragon and mermaid to gargoyle and phoenix. She asks of a centaur, "Can he be half man, half horse?/ The answer is no./ And yes, of course." Hobgoblins "do the chores." The Sphinx, "The riddle maker/ is silent now." We even meet naga of the seven heads from Southeast Asia. The gouache paintings of the visual versions of these creatures are far more fanciful, more complex, than the facing poetic texts. Each dominates a rectangle of appropriate color upon which are objects that elaborate on the narrative. The ugly Troll couple tends a large pot under a carved wooden bridge; upon the murky green background are the bugs and a rat that are mentioned. The Thunderbird's encapsulated gray patterns create a demanding design. Decorated initial upper case letters add information and help tie the text to the paintings. A final page adds information about each creature. Do not miss the endpapers. 2008, Harcourt, $16.00, Ages 6 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-0-15-206325-2 Jazz A-B-C: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits Wynton Marsalis Biographical sketches by Phil Schaap Illustrations by Paul Rogers    Wonderfully presented and imaginatively conceived, this book captures the essence of jazz. Those who love jazz will enjoy every page and those unknowledgeable about this music which originated in New Orleans will learn much. The author and illustrator notes explain the genesis of this collaboration. The original and symbolic paintings were done first, offering inspiration and direction to the famous musician who is also an innovative writer of poetry, as is clear when reading this book. There is much playfulness and, while it is an alphabet book, it takes a bit of poetic license when starting with A for Louis Armstrong and ending with Z for Dizzy Gillespie. Sound wins the day and broadens the scope of the effort. The poems take many forms, and an explanatory section explains the poetic forms appearing in the book. There are also biographical sketches of the musicians as well as information about the poet, the artist, and the writer of the biographies. This is anything but a dry recounting of facts, and the look of the book adds to its appeal. 2005, Candlewick Press, $24.99, Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-0-7636-3434-6 Keeping the Night Watch Hope Anita Smith Illustrations by E.B. Lewis    This collection of poetry pushes the reader right to the edge of C.J.’s very raw emotions, especially his bitter anger toward the father who disappeared and has now returned to the family: “I am the worst kind of mad. /I don’t yell./ I don’t slam doors./ I don’t throw things./ I’m a pot with the lid on,/ I keep all my mad inside.” The staccato phrasing adds power to C.J.’s angst. Hope Anita Smith’s words bring the reader right to the heart of the young man’s soul but also follow him through the humor and poignancy of first love and first shave. “All this blood and you missed the little bit of peach fuzz you were trying to get rid of!” says Grandmomma, whose wisdom brightens these poems like dew on the fresh morning grass. With his characteristic soft brush strokes and hints of color, E.B. Lewis’ illustrations make the reader want to reach out and touch a hand or a shoulder in this troubled yet hopeful family. These poems will reach a broad audience. Among advanced and struggling readers alike, they will quickly erase any notion that poetry is obtuse, irrelevant or just plain boring. 2008, Henry Holt, $18.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-8050-7202-0 ISBN: 0-8050-7202-0 My Dog May Be a Genius Jack Prelutsky Illustrations by James Stevenson    Jack Prelutsky gives ample evidence for why he was chosen at the nation’s first Children’s Poet Laureate in this new collection of over 100 poems wonderfully and whimsically illustrated by the incomparable James Stevenson. Prelutsky’s trademark is to create a poem that proceeds along with divine silliness, only to exceed itself by climaxing in an unexpected zingy final line. So, while it’s funny enough to hear that “My brother poked a porcupine, which was a great mistake” and “My mother had hysterics when she stumbled on a snake,” it’s even funnier when the long series of escalating misadventures builds to the conclusion, “My father stepped in something he would rather not discuss – we love our weekly nature walks, they’re always fun for us.” Likewise, an already hilarious list of the awful behaviors which the narrator refrains from doing (e.g., stuffing spaghetti in his brother’s underwear) leads to the confession that the things he actually does are far worse. Other poems amuse by blithely taking the preposterous to be completely ordinary: a report of the difficulties of keeping a pet elephant, a bewildered shrug when a favorite rhinoceros suddenly decides to grow a beard. Word play abounds, as well as lots of merriment generated by unusual typefaces (“Two Dozen of My Words”) and layout “(“I’m Climbing Up a Ladder”). This is a book to share with every kid who loves poetry, and every kid who thinks he doesn’t. 2008, Greenwillow/HarperCollins, All Ages, $19.99. Reviewer: Claudia Mills, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-06-623862-3 My Father's House Kathi Appelt Illustrated by Raul Colon    This versatile, talented author has given a new dimension to the quote “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” Appelt has the speaker thanking the Father for the various habitats of the Earth--those areas that make up the “mansions” of our very planet. Without preaching, she gives the reader a lyrical word picture of such diverse settings as the Tundra, the Rainforest, the Ocean, the Shore, the Marsh, and the Prairie. The illustrations are gorgeous visual punctuations for the clear, flowing verses: “And where the trees stand oh so close, Where deer and rabbits rest, I’ll wander through these Woodland halls Where songbirds build their nests.” Effortlessly inviting the reader to experience the essence of each geographical area, the author introduces quite a few facts that define the habitat--woodlands have deer, rabbits, and songbirds. The award-winning illustrator has contributed double spreads that not only echo the text but also expand the total experience of this beautiful book. The author’s dedication of the book to Al Gore reflects her own care for this “beautiful blue planet” that we all share, while Colon’s art provides the perfect setting for her expressions of delight and gratitude for the earth. Whether depicting the far north with its magical Northern Lights or showing us a young person with arms open wide to embrace the entire ocean, his masterful talent is displayed as the perfect complement to the gentle, loving text. Early readers will appreciate being able to read much of this for themselves, and older readers will understand that the language is sophisticated but not obtuse. Reading this title aloud to a group or all on one’s own will prompt thoughtful discussion. This is definitely a first choice for libraries and family collections. 2007, Viking/Penguin, $16.99. Ages 3 up. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).    My Father’s House offers a poem of thanksgiving for the natural world. The text highlights different regions around the world, giving praise for the woodland deer and rabbits, Arctic tundra foxes, desert coyote and ocean full of “salted silver spray,” blue whales and flying fish. Soft-toned illustrations in color pencil and watercolor by artist Raul Colon add to the general feeling of reverence. While not explicitly religious or didactic, the book has a spiritual core that encourages both gratitude for the Earth’s beauty and a sense of shared responsibility for the animals, plants and places portrayed. 2007, Viking/Penguin, $16.99. Ages 3 up. Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature) ISBN: 978-0-670-03669-1 ISBN: 0-670-03669-2 Oops Alan Katz Illustrated by Edward Koren    In his first collection, Take Me Out of the Bathtub, Alan Katz uses his comedy writing background to turn the classic camp and school songs into even sillier versions. Both the original poems and the illustrations in this second work have the feel of Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends. Unfortunately, Katz is much more heavy handed than Silverstein, either laboring the point or depending on bathroom jokes, as in “I’ve got a thermometer in my mouth/ because Mom says I’m sick. It/ is better to have it north than south/ (where she wanted to stick it).” In many ways, the best feature of this book is the “Afterword,” in which Katz talks about his lifelong desire to be a writer. Though he can overdo the comedy routine here as well, Katz’s account of what it took to develop from a second grade parody of Jack and the Beanstalk to a successful career may inspire current second graders to keep on writing and rewriting. In any case, New Yorker fans of Edward Koren will enjoy his drawings. 2008, Margaret K. Elderry/Simon & Schuster, $17.99, Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-1-4169-0204-1 ISBN: 1-4169-0204-X Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem Jack Prelutsky    For many years, readers have enjoyed Jack Prelutsky’s poetry. Now, this Children’s Poet Laureate invites the reader inside his creative world of poetry writing. Prelutsky shares his craft by providing many writing tips, ideas, and forms of poetry for aspiring young poets. He includes several of his poems to help illustrate the final product of his poetry writing process. Furthermore, Prelutsky reveals more of his writing world by telling the interesting and amusing anecdotes about how events in his life provide fun-filled, amusing topics or silly, wild ideas for his poems. Whether it is his mother’s rules, food, or word play, Prelutsky finds a poem just waiting for him to nurture and bring to life. He even describes how some topics take time before they develop into poems. His enthusiasm and passion for writing will inspire young poets to grab a pen and start writing. Prelutsky provides poetry starters to help nudge the young writer. This book would be a great addition for a poetry unit. 2008, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins Publisher, $5.99, Ages 7 to 11. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-0-06-143449-5 ISBN: 978-0-06-143448-8 Poems Julie Larios Paintings by Julie Paschkis    Larios's poems, some with rhyme, draw vivid verbal pictures of fourteen imaginary creatures, from dragon and mermaid to gargoyle and phoenix. She asks of a centaur, "Can he be half man, half horse?/ The answer is no./ And yes, of course." Hobgoblins "do the chores." The Sphinx, "The riddle maker/ is silent now." We even meet naga of the seven heads from Southeast Asia. The gouache paintings of the visual versions of these creatures are far more fanciful, more complex, than the facing poetic texts. Each dominates a rectangle of appropriate color upon which are objects that elaborate on the narrative. The ugly Troll couple tends a large pot under a carved wooden bridge; upon the murky green background are the bugs and a rat that are mentioned. The Thunderbird's encapsulated gray patterns create a demanding design. Decorated initial upper case letters add information and help tie the text to the paintings. A final page adds information about each creature. Do not miss the endpapers. 2008, Harcourt, $16.00, Ages 6 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-0-15-206325-2 Rhyme Stories Pat Skene Illustrated by Graham Ross    Young readers will thoroughly enjoy this collection of humorous rhyming stories. Each of these six stories is entertaining as well as educational. At the end of three of the stories there is an interview with the main character where readers can learn facts about the poem’s topic. For example, in “Cecil Goes Spelunking,” Cecil looks for his missing puppy in a dark cave. During the interview piece, Cecil answers questions and shares safety advice about cave exploration. Following the other three poems there is fun and informational facts. “Polly Palooka” is a witty poem about a mean girl who teases and taunts the other kids. After this story there is a “bully bulletin” that provides advice for dealing with bullies. Each kid-friendly story is extremely engaging and the passage that follows it is easy to read and informative. There are small black-and-white drawings scattered throughout the book. 2007, Orca Book Publishers, $4.99, Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Denise Daley (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-1-55143-636-4 Seed Sower, Hat Thrower: Poems about Weather Laura Purdie Salas    This is a collection of fourteen poems about weather accompanied by large colorful photographs. Lyrical and imaginative words describe the fog, rain, storms, and rain. Winter cold has a photograph of icy trees with a poem that describes them as “branches blooming with ice, paint a shocking picture of frosty white trees on winter’s blue sky.” A fun poem has a photograph of two children eating “icy treats” and the poem tells how the “searing sun” melts them so they need to “Quick! Lick!” One page is devoted to a brief explanation of the language of poetry. Another page lists types of poems such as acrostic, cinquain, and haiku along with the title and page number that tells where they can be found in the book. Although these poems are written for children in the early grades, they could be used in higher grades for the study of forms of poetry. A glossary, bibliography, Internet sites, and an index are included. 2008, Capstone Press/Capstone Publishers, $23.93, Ages 4 to 9. Reviewer: Vicki Foote (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-1-4296-1209-8 ISBN: 1-4296-1209-6 Shrinking Days, Frosty Nights: Poems about Fall Laura Purdie Salas    Autumn poems and colorful photographs work together in this book of verse. Sixteen poems reflect the beauty of the season when the days grow shorter and the weather gets cooler. Different signs of the season are captured in the poetic words. The photographs hold the season’s moment of the watchful scarecrow in the field, the start of the school year, and the season’s holidays that are among the autumn topics in verse. The poet Laura Purdie Salas uses different forms of poetry to describe the typical images of autumn. In the back of the book is a brief description of the five different form of poetry that are used in the book; page numbers are referenced to locate an example of the poetic form. Readers will find acrostic, cinquain, concrete, free verse, and haiku used to describe the harvest season. There are some additional resources listed that may be pursued for more information on poetry. 2008, Capstone Press, $23.93, Ages 4 to 9. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-1-4296-1205-0 ISBN: 1-4296-1205-3 Sky Blue Road Rob Elder    Poetry can take many forms. For some poets the thrill lies in the complex rhythm and meter of verses. Other poets try it tell a story through the mixing of obscure words to form an emotional whole. For Rob Elder, the author of this slim collection of poems, poetry is a means of telling the stories of everyday sights, sounds, and feelings. Through gentle free verse offerings Elder draws the reader into the world of slim moons on a winter night, the calls of golden finches that connect you with the wind, and the wetness of damp days that spawn an appreciation of love and comfort in your soul. These little poems tell large stories. Combining a heartfelt eye for the wonders of nature with an earnest heart, Elder’s poetry leaves a warm spot in the inner being. Elder’s poems also touch upon deeper subjects such as our connection to all life, the value of love, and the gentleness of our deepest needs. Yet, throughout the reading of these little jewels, one is never startled by the laying on of messages in too overt a way. Rather, a poem is read, its meaning seeps into the reader, and thoughts come to mind of similar experiences that may have been long forgotten. In this way Sky Blue Road is both a touching reading experience in its own right and a soft nudge into the world of personal reflection. 2006, Trafford Publishing, Ages 12 up, $16.96. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-4120-8638-8 Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems) Linda Sue Park Pictures by Istvan Banyai    Sijo poetry traces its roots back to Korea in the 15th century and beyond. Similar to Japanese haiku verse, sijo differs in that it has a slightly varied structure, is not solely focused on nature, and often has a surprise ending. In this book Newberry Award winning author Linda Sue Park takes the sijo style and applies it to everyday moments that many children can identify with. Subjects such as lunch at school, beachcombing, and watching the fall leaves scatter in the wind all come to life in this concise poetic form. In addition Park adds a touch of both humor and pathos to her words in a way that will leave readers, young and old, thinking about what they have read long after the slim book is finished and put on a cozy bookshelf. Time and again these little poems tickle the foot of memory to elicit a laugh or a sigh. In addition the illustrations of award-winning artist Istvan Banyai help establish and maintain an atmosphere of wonder that augments the words on the page. Tap Dancing on the Roof introduces readers to a form of poetry that is uncommon and which some of them may wish to experiment with. Further, Linda Sue Park has crafted a small collection of gems in the form of sijo poems that will touch and engage her readers for years to come. 2007, Clarion Books/Houghton, $ 16.00. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck (Children's Literature).    Park meets the challenge of the traditional Korean poetic form of sijo in more than two dozen carefully and cleverly fashioned verses. For those tired of haiku, these are a real treat. The author clearly explains the form: sijo are usually three lines, each fourteen to sixteen syllables and each with a special purpose. The subjects of the poems are not limited to nature, like haiku, but range from “Breakfast” and “Long Division” to weather, creatures, and sports. Rhymes are optional. Banyai’s digitally-executed illustrations add considerably to the enjoyment. The endpapers echo some early black and white cartoons. In the beginning, a young ink-covered boy falls into an inkwell, supplying ink. At the end, he satisfies his curiosity by dumping the ink out and covering himself with it. The line drawings that accompany each sijo have touches of color but their charm is in the depicted action with no settings needed. A youngster with attached wings seeks pollen in a purple blossom; another stretches his waistband to accommodate more Thanksgiving turkey. Historic background, a bibliography, and tips for aspiring sijo writers are included. 2007, Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin, $16.00. Ages 8 to Adult. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-618-23483-7 ISBN: 0-618-23483-7 Tiny Dreams, Sprouting Tall: Poems about the United States Laura Purdie Salas    One of a series of themed poetry books, this book of poems with dramatic photographs covers a range of topics that include jazz, baseball, and Hollywood. Some of the poems are fun and easy to read and understand while others are more descriptive and lyrical. An acrostic poem with the subject ‘dream’ features Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A diamante about the Grand Canyon is written in a diamond shape. One page at the end explains the language of poetry and another lists the types of poems such as acrostic, cinquain, and diamante along with the title and page number that tells where they can be found. This is followed by a glossary, bibliography, Internet sites, and an index. All of the poems celebrate some aspect of our country with brief poems and large beautiful photographs which should be interesting and educational for all young readers. 2008, Capstone Press/Capstone Publishers, $23.93, Ages 4 to 9. Reviewer: Vicki Foote (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-1-4296-1208-1 ISBN: 1-4296-1208-8 ISBN: 978-1-4296-1748-2 ISBN: 1-4296-1748-9 Where in the Wild?: Camouflaged Animals Concealed and Revealed: Ear-tickling Poems David M. Schwartz and Yael Schy Eye-tricking photos by Dwight Kuhn    This is a clever book. It opens by asking readers to imagine that they are an animal trying to avoid a predator or that they are a predator trying to sneak up on a meal. Animals use color or camouflage to protect themselves or to conceal themselves. The poems describe the animal in question and the picture shows it in its natural habitat. The challenge is to find the animal before lifting the flap to reveal the answer. Once detected, lift the flaps to see if you are right and then read more about the animals, including habitats, what it eats, and many other interesting facts. There are a variety of large and small animals--a coyote, tree frog, fawn, weasel (which changes color with the seasons), moth, killdeer, crab spider, green snake (which this reviewer did not spot), flounder, and a red spotted newt. It is fun, educational, and would lend itself to a variety of uses in a classroom--poems for anytime and especially poetry month, animals studies, habitats and more. Furthermore, it is a picture book that can be used with a wide age range of students. 2007, Tricycle Press, $15.95. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). ISBN: 9781582462073 ISBN: 1582462070 Where Is Spring? Yang Huan Illustrated by H. Y. Huang & A. Yang    “Where is spring?” a little boy asks as he releases his kite up into the breeze. The quiet responses come to him from many facets of nature. The seagull says spring is traveling by sea in a boat; the sparrow says it is strolling in the fields by the riverbank; the sun says that it is on the faces of the flowers, and so forth. Each response is accompanied by bright, water-color illustrations, which always include the kite as it travels from one destination to the next. The paintings add a sense of space to each stanza as the kite travels over the fields, over the school yard, through every bustling street, down the quiet alleys, and into the young boy’s house. The text is splashed across the surface of the illustrations which lends to the movement felt in the poetry. A lovely addition to a primary poetry collection, this book could also be used during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in commemorating literary contributions of Asians. 2007, Heryin Books, $15.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Theresa Finch (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-9762-0568-8 ISBN: 978-0-9762-0568-5 Write Your Own Poetry Laura Purdie Salas     Salas has written a book that I would have loved to have when I was in upper elementary and high school and perhaps even college. It's audience is primarily those who want to write poetry, and it explains very clearly how to go about the process. What is really informative are the examples of the various forms of poetry and the challenge to the writer to create something in that form. The examples of haiku, acrostic, quatrain, cinquain, diamante, concrete poems and more are shown along with information about the number of syllables in each line and rhyme schemes. The discussion of how important it is to be specific with your word choices and the role that assonance, alliteration, metaphors, similes, onomatopoeia, and others ways to play with words can make your poems sparkle are extremely helpful. Also, poems can be written from various points of view and excellent examples are provided. The chapter that I found the most helpful focused on meter and rhyme and there is a useful list of the names for each line and a description of the number of feet (which of curse relate to the name). The tips to help one get over writers block, the use of at of a chart to start your own brainstorming are things I really was not aware of. The book is filled with illustrations and some are stock photos, but it works-they do relate to and break up what could be extremely dense text. The book closes with comments from several well known poets and advise about sharing and or publishing your poetry. There is a glossary and index. Not only is this books useful to those who want to write poetry but it will provide a good foundation for anyone who needs to analyze or understand poetic forms. 2008, Compass Point Book, Ages 10 up, $ 33.26. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 978-0-7565-3519-3 Yellow Moon, Apple Moon Pamela Porter Illustrated by Matt James.    This bedtime rhyme for young children has an interesting structure. Most of the book is a poem in which a young child says good night to the moon as she identifies the familiar items inside and outside her room: “Here’s my pillow, Here’s my head./ Here’s the book my daddy read.” Then, as the child mentions her mother saying good night, the mother breaks into a few lines from a traditional lullaby: “At the Gate of heaven.” The last few pages repeat the poem’s opening lines and show the child falling asleep under a very golden delicious apple full moon. At the end of the book, both the English and Spanish versions of the song are given. The cozy feel of the book is enhanced by the illustrations. Matt James’ whimsical style is a bit reminiscent of Matisse and so are his color tones of chartreuse and reds. It is easy to imagine a child deciding this book and the full lullaby are a perfect ritual to go to bed with. 2008, Groundwood Books, $17.95, Ages 6 mo. to 3. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-0-88899-809-5 For reviews on this topic from last year, click here. To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Added March 27, 2008