Poetry Books from 2000 and Earlier Absolutely Angels: Poems for Children and Other Believers Selected by Mary Lou Carney Illustrated by Viqui Maggio   Joining Carney's conventional poetry to artist Maggio's unconventional, yet surrealistic 3-D compositions produces a gilded and heavenly picture book account of God's created beings, his angels. Positively and absolutely angelic! 1998, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 4 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Patricia Timbrook ISBN: 1-56397-708-7 Aneesa Lee and the Weaver's Gift Nikki Grimes Illustrations by Ashley Bryan   As the warp and weft weave a completed fabric, so do these interrelated poems and illustrations create a tapestry that celebrates the art of cloth making. Together, these lyrical pieces sing of the joy of family, continuity, and the satisfaction that comes from hard work. Aneesa Lee, a blend of "black and white and Japanese," works the separate strands of color into a complete whole, just as the thread of love binds together her multi-ethnic family. Woven borders surround each vibrant illustration, some so filled with color and movement that the pages barely contain them. 1999, Lothrop, Ages 8 to 12, $16.00. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey Animal Cackles Helen C. Eldredge   The author has created many humorous poems in this book of poetry. The poems are about different animals, each having something to say that makes the reader laugh out loud. The rhyming text in most of the poems adds to the enjoyment of reading the book. Some of the poems would be fun to read to children in a classroom setting along with a demonstration the use of rhyming words. 2000, Shooting Star Editions, Ages 7 up, $9.99. Reviewer: Christy Oestreich ISBN: 1-56167-655-1 The Barn Owls Tony Johnston Illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray   The spare, simple, poetic text relates the basic life activities of the generations of owls who have slept in the old barn and hunted at night for at least a hundred years. They hatch, grow, fly, and hunt. The tone poem is set by Ray in double-page scenes that supply the sparest of details without anatomical representations. She begins with a warming yellow-orange light that moves from the fields through the barn window and then out again with a restless owl. The night brings the deep blues against which the owl flies with a mouse in its beak. Then the warm yellows return to highlight the newly hatched birds. 2000, Charlesbridge, Ages 4 to 7, $15.95. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0881069817 ISBN: 0881069825 The Basket Counts Arnold Adoff Illustrated by Michael Weaver   With the rhythm and rhyme of words, Adoff captures the beat, intensity and feel of basketball. Whether it's shooting wadded up socks in a messy room, dribbling on the playground, or the surge of adrenaline at the free throw line, Adoff's "shaped speech" poetry paired with Weaver's action-filled gouache illustrations entices the senses. Readers can almost hear the swoosh of "nothing but net," feel the tingling of dribbling fingers and see the drive down the court. And yet, this collection of basketball poems extends beyond just the joy of the game-with compassion and understanding, Adoff also addresses the disappointment of sitting on the bench, the camaraderie of the game, the devastation of defeat and the need to devote time to school. Weaver's illustrations likewise realistically depict all walks of life playing the game. For reluctant readers and students who hesitate at the mention of poetry, The Basket Counts will break down barriers and quickly draw them into the magic of language and basketball. 2000, Simon & Schuster, Ages 8 up, $17.00. Reviewer: Leah Hanson ISBN: 0689801084 The Beastly Feast Bruce Goldstone Illustrated by Blair Lent   The beasts have a rollicking good time in this story, which is a bit of a tongue-twister. It will have youngsters giggling as the beasts bring their treats to the feast. It is filled with lines such as, "Parrots bring carrots." " Mosquitoes bring burritos." "Moose bring juice and mice bring rice." Later in the book, the rhymes reappear, as in, "Mosquitoes, moose, mice, and parrots/Burritos, juice, rice, and carrots." Try to read the book quickly and the laughs start. The illustrations are colorful and unusual; the artist used his own handmade color paper upon which he printed patterns with designs cut from cardboard and linoleum. Two of the illustrations are particularly amusing. The fleas struggle to bring the peas, rolling them over the clumps of grass, and the flies work together to deliver the pies. A happy blending of text and illustration. 1998, Henry Holt, Ages 1 to 5, $15.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford ISBN: 0-8050-3867-1 Behind the Wheel: Poems about Driving Janet S. Wong   All the poems contained in this slim volume deal with the subject of driving, either realistically or metaphorically. This book offers a lesson about life-about learning everything you need to know, not in kindergarten, but behind the wheel of your car. Not being able to get started, needing strong coffee to get going, is explored in "Jump-Start" while "Wait Till When" explores the urge of a teenager to drive, to be old enough to take the wheel and not see the same old sights every day. One of the best poems is "Neighbors," which draws upon memories of Grandmother's time when everyone walked and people knew their neighbors. The poet compares that era with today when we often do not know our neighbors, beyond nodding to them when we pass in the supermarket. As we drive home, they are behind us. "They follow us home/down our hill. /Their headlights/throw shadows, /our big empty heads/bobbing on the dash." 1999, Margaret K McElderry, Ages 12 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford The Bookworm's Feast: A Potluck of Poems J. Patrick Lewis Illustrated by John O'Brien   The poetry in this collection plays with words, rhyming Amazon with "keep your white woolly pajamazon!" The poetry plays with all that is associated with eating, which includes menu chapter headings and food items in poems. The poetry also celebrates the reading of books, as in bookworms hungry for the good eating of verse and rhyme. The Gentleman Bookworm makes a toast at the beginning of the feast, saying, "Chew them slowly. One line at a time." It is a fluid and delightful adventure into both the silly and profound. The illustrations fit nicely with each poem-except all the poem characters' eyes appear macabre. 1999, Dial Books for Young Readers, Ages 3 to 8, $15.99. Reviewer: Jacki Vawter ISBN: 0-8037-1692-3 Boshblobberbosh: Runcible Poems for Edward Lear J. Patrick Lewis Illustrations by Gary Kelley   Edward Lear was an original, the nineteenth century's nonsense poet par excellence. In lyrical nonsense poems of his own, Lewis creates a loving biographical tribute to this globe-trotting, chronically ill twentieth child~and his cat, Old Foss. End Notes and a Chronology of Lear's life answer many of the natural questions rising from the poems, while Kelley's ultra realistic, edge of surreal artwork graces the lines. It's a lovely book, for nonsense lovers of all ages. 1998, Creative Editions/Harcourt Brace, Ages 5 up, $18.00. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr ISBN: 0-15-201949-9 Cactus Poems Frank Asch Photographs by Ted Levin   Excursions to the four American deserts, the Sonoran, the Mojave, the Great Basin, and the Chihuahuan, were the inspiration for these 19 poems. The author has captured the feeling of the wide-open spaces, the animals both large and small, the birds, and the plants that comprise the ecosystems. Stunning color photographs accompany the poems, and together they present a captivating glimpse of life in the desert. Informative notes in the back of the book provide specific details on the subject of each poem. The composition and location of each photo is identified. This informative literary work will be appropriate for classroom use. This is a great way to learn about the desert-through feelings, thought-provoking images, and picture-perfect views. Students might be inspired to create their own poems. 1998, Harcourt Brace, Ages 8 to 12, $18.00. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo ISBN: 0-15-200676-1 Casey at the Bat Ernest Lawrence Thayer Illustrated by Christopher Bing   The poem has been around for more than one hundred years and is familiar to many. The text is printed in bold and can be enjoyed by young readers who may not look at all of the detail. The illustrations in this version are made to look like an old-fashioned scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings, baseball cards, ticket stubs and plenty of other memorabilia. There is so much to look at and read that this picture book is not really for younger kids. It is an artistic triumph using classical techniques and computer technology to create an artifact. It will appeal to kids who like detail and who are baseball fans, and many adults. 2000, Handprint, Ages 7 up, $17.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 1-929766-00-9 Climb Into My Lap: First Poems to Read Together Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins Illustrated by Kathryn Brown   How wonderful it is when the natural affinity young children have for rhyme, rhythm and repetition is nurtured into a lifelong appreciation for poetry. Reading poems aloud to, or along with, a child is of course the first step in this direction. If you sit with a little one and read one or two poems from this book, chances are you will be begged for "just one more." There are new poems and old poems, fingerplays and lullabies. There are story poems such as "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" by Eugene Field. While, the type of humor that has appealed to kids for generations is represented by the anonymously penned "On Top of Spaghetti." The book is divided into eight chapters of poetry. "Quiet Morning" by Karen B. Winnick appears in the chapter titled "Me!" while "And There" is in the chapter "Secret Places" and the final poem in the section, "Good Night" is from "How to Sing or Read" by Robert Louis Stevenson. The illustrations are captivating. 1998, Simon & Schuster, Ages 2 to 7, $19.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford ISBN: 0-689-80715-5 Cool Melons¾Turn to Frogs! : The Life and Poems of Issa Matthew Gollub Illustrations by Kazuko G. Stone Calligraphy by Keiko Smith   The beauty, simplicity, and grace of haiku come alive in this biography of Kobayashi Yatoro, known as Issa. Born to peasant parents in the late 18th century, Issa marveled at delicate blossoms, the crunch of snow, and the laughter of children. Encouraged by a teacher, who recognized his loneliness, Issa used verse to give voice to his thoughts about nature. Written from the deep recesses of his soul, Issa's work speaks of the pain and joy of a life quietly lived. For thirty of Issa's poems, the thoughtful narratives are accompanied by delicate watercolor and colored pencil drawings, adding a beautiful dignity. Soft brush strokes of cursive calligraphy border every page. Countless children learn to write haiku in our classrooms, and now they can better appreciate the man for whom nature inspired over 20,000 poems. 1998, Lee & Low Books, Ages 8 to 12, $16.95. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey ISBN: 1-880000-71-7 Cornflakes: Poems James Stevenson    There's much to delight both the eye and the ear in this lovely small collection of poems accompanied by Stevenson's black ink and watercolor illustrations. The font styles and colors are varied to match the words and the pictures, and there are small surprises to tickle the brain on nearly every page. "Not far from the airport/There's a meadow of daisies,/Asters, black-eyed Susans,/Buicks, Pontiacs, and Queen Anne's lace" goes a poem entitled "Meadow" accompanied by a junked car blooming amid the weeds. Children and adults alike will enjoy the whimsy of garbage bags "dressed in black,/ wearing bow ties,/ ready for the opera," and the drawings of the old lady of whom "All you see is/Her coat, her cane, her courage." Simply and masterfully done, like "the perfect shell" that "awaits the perfect child." 2000, Greenwillow/HarperCollins, Ages 6 to 12, $14.95. Reviewer: Linnea Hendrickson ISBN: 0-688-16718-7 Dirty Laundry Pile: Poems in Different Voices Edited by Lisa Rowe Fraustino   Everyone has secrets, and in every secret lies the seed of a story. That is the premise underlying this collection of original stories for young adults. Contributors include Richard Peck, Bruce Coville, and Anna Grossnickle Hines. The stories cover a wide range of topics, from stage fright to honesty to guilt. They vary in their impact as well-some pack a punch that hits right at the gut; others have a lighter touch. An interesting, thought-provoking collection. 1998, Viking, Ages 12 up, $16.99. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami ISBN: 0-670-87911-8 Dragons, Dinosaurs, Monster Poems John Foster Illustrations by Korky Paul   A compilation of three books in one-Dragon Poems, originally published in 1991, Dinosaur Poems, in 1993, and Monster Poems in 1995-this lively collection will undoubtedly be popular with young lovers of any of these varieties of beast. The works of poets familiar around the globe have been included, among them Jack Prelutsky, Max Fatchen, X.J. Kennedy, Lilian Moore, and John Foster. Zany, colorful, cartoon-like illustrations emphasize the humor of such poems as "The Monster behind the Loo," "Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe," and "Never Trust a Dragon." 1998, Oxford University Press, Ages 5 to 10, $17.00. Reviewer: Linnea Hendrickson ISBN: 0-19-276195-1 Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers: 14 More Stories Calef Brown    After the success of his Polkabats and Octopus Slacks in 1998, Calef Brown returns with another winning collection of fourteen rib-tickling story poems about wacky characters and silly situations. This time Brown introduces readers to a strange world where moons have reunions, waffles run away, people raise fleas to make money, and a magical electric guitar-playing grandma entertains crowds all over the planet. Vibrant, quirky illustrations jump off the page and perfectly match wits with the hilarious rhymes. Move over Jack Prelutsky and Jon Scieszka, there's another zany and clever writer in the house! 2000, Houghton Mifflin Company, Ages 6 to 9, $15.00. Reviewer: Debra Briatico ISBN: 0-618-05183-X Earthmates Patricia Hubbell Illustrations by Jean Cassels   What a marvelous collection of poems for teaching young people the exquisite descriptive power of words-indeed, the power of using very few of just the right words. "Crows flying…Or did a shadow just explode?" as the word "explode" bounds up and down the page in capital letters. "Splinters of light flit in green glimmer…" from a poem called "Minnows." Jean Cassels' softly painted illustrations capture the details of an auk's bill and the glint in a gull's eye, but best of all is the lion's yawn filling up the entire page. From the toad who "squats in scorched grass…debates his next green move" to the shrew, "just a dot, a small brown blot…pulling your footprint thread", Patricia Hubbell's poetry is touching, funny and imaginative-perfect for reading silently or aloud. 1999, Marshall Cavendish, Ages 4 up. $15.95. Reviewer: Karen Leggett Earth-Shattering Poems Edited by Liz Rosenberg   In the introduction to this anthology of poetry for young adults, the editor explains that she chose poems "that speak most powerfully to our most intense experiences and emotions-hence the title, Earth-Shattering Poems. The poems are arranged chronologically by the birth dates of the poets and come from a wide variety of times and cultures, and from very famous to lesser-known writers. An especially useful and interesting twenty-page section at the end offers biographical information on the poets and suggestions for further reading. Author and First Line indices are also included. 1998, Holt, Ages 12 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan ISBN: 0-8050-4821-9 Ferocious Girls, Steamroller Boys, and Other Poems in Between Timothy Bush    Fun, fantastic, and full of adventure, these poems really capture the essence of being a kid. From crazy Aunt Mae who likes to play, to loony Uncle Irving who thinks he's a bird, the lyrics and their vibrant, comical illustrations make this book a must-have for any collection. Children will enjoy reading and rereading about the "ferocious girls" that will "grab you with their fearsome claws" and the "steamroller boys" who are "seven-eighths riot and one-quarter zoo." At home or at school, you can't go wrong having this book on your shelf. 2000, Orchard Books, Ages 7 up, $17.99 and $16.95. Reviewer Sheree Van Vreede ISBN: 0-531-33250-0 ISBN: 0-531-30250-4 From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems/Del Ombligo de la Luna y Otros Poemas de Verano Francisco X. Alarcon Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez   This wonderful collection of 22 poems, each presented in both English and Spanish, were inspired by the summers Francisco Alarcon spent in Mexico as a child. In an afterword, he writes that Mexico is a place where "all senses come alive." The poet uses those wide-awake senses to paint subtle, lovely pictures, such as the delights of going barefoot on grass ("Mother Earth loves to tickle our bare feet"), looking into a sunflower ("Somewhat a flower, somehow the sun"), or playing in the ocean ("Can question marks by any chance really be little seahorses?"). Maya Christina Gonzalez has illustrated in a simple, almost childlike style that utterly suits the words. Her paintings of adults and children together have a real warmth and sweetness. Alarcon and Gonzalez collaborated on a previous collection of children's poetry, "Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems." 1998, Children's Book Press, Ages 4 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Donna Freedman ISBN: 0-89239-153-7 Grassroots Carl Sandburg Paintings by Wendell Minor   The Browndeer editors made thoughtful choices from Sandburg's poetry as text for this picture book, and successfully used small design details to assist the disparity in the visual weight of opposing pages where a short poem opposes a full-page painting. Minor's talent with watercolors proves a worthy match for Sandburg's poetic vision. But, in some, such as "Still Life" about riding a transcontinental train, I, who rode many such observation platforms, could find no link between visual and poetic images. 1998, Browndeer Press/Harcourt Brace, Ages 10 up, $18.00. Reviewer: Carolyn Dennette Michaels ISBN: 0-15-200082-8 The House with No Door Brian Swann Illustrated by Ashley Bryan   Bright, colorful painting form answers to the riddle-poem on each page. Many of the riddles have more than one answer. In fact, one can be creative and find a variety of answers buried in each picture. Even if the answer to the riddle escapes you, there is a joy in just looking at each of the colorful scenes. This book presents a child with the opportunity to be creative and make up stories about each riddle-poem. 1998, Browndeer, Ages 3 to 6, $16.00. Reviewer: Leila Toledo ISBN: 0-15-200805-5 I Love You: A Rebus Poem Jean Marzollo Illustrations by Suse MacDonald    Sometimes, children's desire to read precedes their abilities. You can ease this potentially frustrating situation with books that contain rebuses (or pictures that symbolize words). While parents decipher the words, children have a part to play as they decode the pictures. Jean Marzollo's I Love You: A Rebus Poem has only a few bold-typed words and several clear pictures on every page. The poem's rhythms provide additional support so that before long children will be able to read the words, too. 2000, Scholastic, Ages 3 to 7, $7.95. Reviewer Susie Wilde ISBN: 0-59037-656-X I, Too, Sing America: Three Centuries of African American Poetry Catherine Clinton Illustrated by Stephen Alcorn   When one is given a book-a gift-of poetry, it is sometimes hard to define the characteristics that distinguish it from every other anthology in its category. In the case of this splendid group of poems by African American writers, the special qualities virtually leap off the page and demand to be noticed. Notably, there is the strong visual appeal of the illustrations by Stephen Alcorn. Softly colored but strongly evocative, these pages perfectly complement the poems they describe with impressionistic images. Then there are the brief biographies of each of the twenty-five poets. Clinton has added these intriguing sketches to place the poet in historical context, but also to establish a timeline, a progression, of the African American presence in America. The biographies include enticing tidbits of Black history and lore, such as the fact that poet James Weldon Johnson served as consul to Venezuela in 1906. Readers will also note the high level of education and achievement among these men and women of letters, many of whom were able to attend college when higher education was the exception, not the rule, for all Americans. Overwhelmingly, the greatest achievement of this collection is the poetry itself, an incredible mix of styles, sophistication and lyricism which will captivate the reader. Names like Langston Hughes, W.E.B. DuBois, Maya Angelou, and Alice Walker are prominent in the collection. Yet, lesser-known writers like slave poets Phillis Wheatley and Moses Horton and the numerous voices that sing out from the Harlem Renaissance movement make no less of an impact. Readers may be horrified by Lucy Terry's epic observation of an Indian massacre as seen through a slave's eyes. They may be torn by the numerous, gut-wrenching testimonies to the pain of racism in America. Children of all races will identify with contemporary poet Rita Dove's sassy statement of personal worth in the face of schoolyard teasing. Every reader should find some universal emotion, some encompassing yearning, with which to identify in this volume that runs the gamut of the African American experience. If you are a librarian or a teacher, do not consign this book to a Black history collection or a children's poetry shelf. Its appeal is all-inclusive. 1998, Houghton Mifflin Company, Ages 10 up, $20.00. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross ISBN: 0-395-89599-5 Imagine That! Poems of Never-Was Selected by Jack Prelutsky Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes   From Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky" to Ogden's Nash's "The Wendigo" to Prelutsky's own "I Have a Secret Dragon" and others, you will find everything strange and unpronounceable in this delicious 44-page volume. It is impossible to choose a winner, between the whimsical pictures and the rollicking verses, so just relax in a place we seldom make time for and swing with the glories of imagination. A personal favorite is "Monster Mothers," which includes the bragging lines: "Mine is ugly. /Mine is mean. /Mine is turning nice and green." What better praise for one's babies, indeed! 1998, Knopf, Ages 3 to 8, $18.00. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0-679-88206-5 Is It Far to Zanzibar? : Poems about Tanzania Nikki Grimes Illustrations by Betsy Lewin    Drawing on her year's stay in Tanzania, Grimes has written thirteen poems reflecting on experiences ranging from walking on the road and riding a crowded bus to contemplating a mountain lost in mist or burning a tongue on spicy hot chicken. Swahili words are sprinkled throughout the lively, rhythmic rhymes, bringing a taste of a different culture. Younger students can smile at the fate of a buzzing fly or the animals coming in from the rain. Older ones will think a bit about how "Every child born on this earth must earn his way." Lewin's scatty line drawings with watery touches of local color surround the text as vignettes, providing bits of visual information such as coffee beans ready for picking, a smiling old man on "a so-old bike," or a market scene. The lively pictures are loaded with personality and humor, adding gentle spice to this taste, starting with the cover, which introduces some of the characters within. There is a vocabulary and a clear map at the end. 2000, HarperCollins Juvenile Books, Ages 6 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-688-13157-3 Lemonade Sun Rebecca Kai Dotlich Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist   This is an assortment of poems extolling the merits of summer. Many of the poems brought back my own childhood memories. My mouth waters when I read about the liquid sweetness of lemonade. While "Barefoot" and "Jack." evoked pleasant memories of my own skipping barefoot in the grass and tossing jacks. The variety of summer activities addressed in this collection will brings joy to those who read this book. 1998, Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press, Ages 5 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Leila Toledo ISBN: 1-56397-660-9 Little Dog Poems Kristine O'Connell George Illustrated by June Otani   The pleasures and perils of owning a dog are the subject of this collection of thirty short poems. The taffy colored doggy barks at his reflection, chases the vacuum cleaner, and alerts his owner to anyone who ventures near the house. The little girl loves her friend and together they play catch, hide and seek and sit by the fire. The unrhymed verses are accompanied by delightful watercolors of a happy young girl and her boon companion. 1999, Clarion, Ages 4 to 8, $12.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-395-82266-1 A Lucky Thing Alice Schertle Illustrated by Wendell Minor   With the lines, "I'll scatter some words, watch them grow. I'll plant a meadow," the reader is drawn into a world of marvelous images. Country life is celebrated in these fourteen poems featuring wild and domestic animals, the barn, and the weathervane. Here, one can feel what it is like to be a mole underground. Sheep at a distance look like "soft gray caps of mushrooms," "plumped-up pillows," and "piles of laundry." The title poem, in which the reader is invited to look at life from the viewpoints of a robin perched in a tree and chickens living in a coop, is perfect for a discussion on perception. Realistic watercolor illustrations parallel the emotions of the poems. Astute readers will discover a piece of paper or a writing implement in each illustration. This is a delightful collection to share with a friend. 1999, Browndeer Press/ Harcourt, Ages 8 to 12, $17.00. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo ISBN: 0-15-200541-2 Make Things Fly Edited by Dorothy M. Kennedy Illustrated by Sasha Meret   It is a glorious match of poetry and art-the jacket says the poems were written for adults "that children will enjoy as well." For my money, it is for those of any age who respond to poetry-and visual art. 1998, Simon & Schuster, Ages 9 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Carolyn Dennette Michaels ISBN: 0-689-81544-1 Mammalabilia Douglas Florian    "Aardvarks aare odd." "Some people wear fur coats of lynx. I think that stynx." The Ibex….Each one must climb with skill complex…Or else become an ex-ibex." And on and on it goes, from beaver to fox and lemur to tapir. The familiar and the unfamiliar are all portrayed in verse and softly colored illustrations (originally painted in gouache on brown paper bags, by the way)! Douglas Florian's brief poems are silly and clever, funny and serious. They will certainly make children laugh and could easily stimulate a student's own imaginative attempts with either a pencil or a paintbrush. Teachers will have an opportunity to discuss free verse and poetic license. The pictures have a very simple, childlike quality that could encourage attempts at illustrating by youngsters who normally consider themselves "not good drawers." Mammalabilia is an excellent choice for an elementary or middle school unit on either poetry or mammals, or just a fun read for a class or a family. 2000, Harcourt, Ages 5 to 14, $16.00. Reviewer Karen Leggett ISBN: 0-15-202167-1 Midnight Dance of the Snowshoe Hare: Poems of Alaska Nancy White Carlstrom Illustrated by Ken Kuroi   Children who think of Alaska as a snowy land will be amazed by this book. Carlstrom, a resident of Fairbanks, paints with words the wonder and brevity of a northern summer. Her free verse tells of the exploits of Alaska's animals as they raid gardens ("Gangly moose, dangling broccoli, dancing purple cabbage") or wait for winter to come again ("Sled dog, we have watched you...nap in the sun, dreaming of snow"), and it sings the praises of glorious summer from a human's point of view, too. Read this book aloud to a child, or a classroom of children, and it will almost certainly inspire some original verse. Kuroi's paintings are dreamlike, especially in depicting the elusive quality of Alaskan light. 1998, Philomel, Ages 4 to 9, $15.99. Reviewer: Donna Freedman ISBN: 0-399-22746-6 The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Illustrations by Jeffrey Thompson    This classic poem about the start of the Revolutionary War is reborn with a vengeance through the creative talents of Jeffrey Thompson. You think you know the story of Paul Revere's famous ride. The "one, if by land, and two, if by sea," is familiar—perhaps all too familiar, if you remember it as a classroom recitation. Pick up this book anyway. These new illustrations emphasize the sinister edge of the well-known ride without being gruesome. A historical note, complete with a map, explains that Longfellow's poem is a folk ballad. It presents the facts about Paul Revere's ride, the inspiration for the colonial poet. 1999, National Geographic, Ages 6 to 10, $16.95. Reviewer Heidi Green ISBN: 0-7922-7674-4 Night Garden: Poems from the World of Dreams Janet Wong Illustrations by Julie Paschkis    Dreams are the universal unconscious mind taking root and blossoming at night when the masks we wear disguise our real selves. Compare your dreams with those of Janet Wong. Ever dreamed of food? Try "Turnip Cake" and you'll find your mouth watering over..."this dim sum of my dreams, / crisp to the teeth/ and soft to the tongue, / and I wake up/ hungry." In "Talking in Her Sleep" my sister says, "Tomato/ uh huh/ and she starts to laugh/ like something's snapped in her brain/" She settles down and you're left "red in the face/ like a tomato." Each poem is surrounded by gouache paintings with borders of wispy, surreal and mixed up images that resemble our dreams. Wong and Paschkis perform a dazzling dream duet. 2000, McElderry, Ages 8 to 12, $16.00. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman ISBN: 0-689-82617-6 Off to the Sweet Shores of Africa and Other Talking Drum Rhymes Uzo Unobagha Illustrated by Julia Cairns    The Nigerian-born author has written more than 75 brief rhymes inspired by Mother Goose nursery rhymes, but also by her own memories of village life. They are filled with original characters and the creatures and settings of West Africa. She has used rhythm and word play to take us from the mango tree, across desert sand, through the elephant grass, along the river, through the market, and into the family circle. Each of the verses is illustrated by Cairns with an image that relates to the words, from drinking camels "kneeling, kneeling," to child "and ten red monkeys…" These are bright, cheery, simplified images as possibly perceived by a child, but not childish. They describe a place of peace, freedom and joy for child and beast in full-page watercolor scenes and vignettes. The author discusses the origin of the poems in her notes, and includes a glossary. 2000, Chronicle Books, Ages 3 to 6, $16.95. Reviewer Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-8118-2378-4 An Old Shell: Poems of the Galápagos Tony Johnston Pictures by Tom Pohrt   Johnston offers gentle poems about species familiar-finch, beetle, turtle-and strange-lava cactus, cormorant, sea cucumbers-all native to this archipelago in the Pacific. The language is beautiful and haunting and the black-and-white drawings evoke peace and contentment. Too bad "The Buccaneers" and "The Ghost" arrived to upset the balance of this unusual, and now endangered, place! If you can't journey to the islands, do so in your armchair with this lovely volume. 1999, Farrar, Ages 8 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Judy Chernak Opposites, More Opposites and a Few Differences Richard Wilbur    Including the complete texts of the previously published Opposites (1973), and More Opposites (1991), plus seven new poems and drawings, this lighthearted volume focuses on humorous poems dealing with synonyms and antonyms, combined with silly, cartoon-like drawings. While not all of the poems are as short as—"What is the opposite of riot? It's lots of people keeping quiet," all are brief, and could inspire kids to create their own poems and riddles as well as to appreciate some of the more amusing aspects of the English language. 2000, Harcourt,Ages 8 up, $8.00. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan ISBN: 0-15-202347-X The Other Side: Shorter Poems Angela Johnson   This deceptively simple book of poems offers wry insightful glimpses into the character of the people and locale of Shorter, Alabama, which was torn down to make way for a dog track. The young Afro-American poet claims to both love and hate this southern rural town where she grew up, but it is primarily love that comes across in the free verse. As she chronicles stories of her family, friends, and self in an immediate vernacular voice, weaving its way through concise vignettes, there is a wistful sense of loss of the way of life once embedded in the "red, red dirt of Alabama." The personal black-and-white photos included in the book invite the reader to make connections between the people in the poems and those in the pictures, but much remains slightly out of focus. The book jacket of photos superimposed on a green padlocked fence is emblematic of these locked-away memories. Likewise, while these poems communicate both to children and adults, life on "the other side" ultimately remains out of reach. The childhood experiences should be of particular interest to children, and the young author can be an inspiration to aspiring writers. 1998, Orchard Books, Ages 10 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Carol Collins ISBN: 0-531-30114-1 ISBN: 0-531-33114-8 Our Big Home: An Earth Poem Linda Glaser Illustrations by Elisa Kleven   With 70% of the earth's surface covered with water, it seems only right that Glaser should begin her ode to the earth with that element. The upbeat tone of the text and the bright, playful illustrations combine for a celebration of the earth. Young listeners can envision plants, animals and people harmoniously sharing life on earth. Each double-page spread in this picture book is filled with a variety of plants, animals and human activities on various continents. The dancing, hand-holding, flying-into-the-air celebration extends the words, "We share air, water, soil, sky,/ sun, rain, and being alive./ And we all share one home, here on Earth./ One precious living home." The perfect book for Earth Day, it will also be a delight to read and pore over the busy illustrations any time of the year. 2000, Millbrook Press, Ages 4 to 8, $21.90. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo ISBN: 0-7613-1650-7 ISBN: 0-7613-1292-7 The Oxford Treasury of Time Poems Michael Harrison and Christopher Stuart-Clark   The poems focus on time as that nebulous entity, so easy to quantify in years, days, minutes or seconds, yet impossible to grasp and hold. Some of the poems are sad and filled with regret, while others are philosophical or funny. Most of the poems are not for the very young, but older children and adults will be moved or challenged or tickled by many of the selections. Along with passages from the Bible and Shakespeare are poems by Christina Rossetti, Alfred Lord Tennyson, William Wordsworth, W. H. Auden, Sylvia Plath and Emily Dickinson. There are several by Robert Frost including "The Road Not Taken" as well as selections by Dylan Thomas, including "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night." "Piano" by D. H. Lawrence is deeply evocative of a remembered boyhood while "Late Home" by Brian Lee is a touching and true-to-life poem of a child's experience as he runs home knowing he is in trouble for being late. This is indeed a treasury. 1999 (orig. 1998), Oxford University Press, Ages 10 up, $25.00. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford ISBN: 0-19-276175-7 Pass the Poetry, Please Lee Bennet Hopkins   Any book that has this author's name on it and the word "poetry" has to be good. Those of us who work with young readers have come to rely on Hopkins for excellent poetry. In this text, teachers will find ways to use nursery rhymes, jump-rope jingles, and songs as way to introduce poetry to young children. Twenty-four biographies of modern poets such as Shel Silverstein, Carl Sandburg, Myra Cohn Livingston, and Robert Frost are included. Elementary teachers and middle school teachers working with students who have not developed a love of poetry will want to read this book. Parents wishing to share a love of poetry with children need to read this book. The author reminds educators that poetry works with any grade, at any level, and can touch the lives of children in a way that no other genre can. Media specialists will want to have this in their professional collections. 1998 (orig. 1972), Barron's, Adult, $13.95. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: 0-06-446199-8 The Pig in the Spigot: Poems Richard Wilbur Illustrations by J. Otto Seibold    Punsters, poets, and reluctant readers will love this book that is filled with play on words. It begins, "Because he swings so neatly through the trees, An Ape feels natural in the word trapeze. Why do we rarely see a chicken in the city? Because a chicken is a hick at heart." A mother kangaroo gives her baby a bumpy ride. "That is the reason why, inside her pouch, her child is constantly exclaiming 'Ouch!'" And what to do "when there's a pig inside your spigot?" Why, "Be sensible, and take the obvious course, Which is to turn the spigot on full force. Sufficient pressure will, I think, Oblige the pig to flow into the sink." J. Otto Seibold's wonderful illustrations also have hidden delights—a band of ants marches across the picture accompanying a poem that tells us "Look! There's a bug in bugle!" Older kids and adult wordsmiths will no doubt be inspired to create their own playful poems. Young readers will delight at the small words hiding in big ones. 2000, Harcourt, Ages All, $16.00. Reviewer Julie Steinberg ISBN: 0-15-202019-5 Someone I Like: Poems about People Compiled by Judith Nicholls Illustrations by Giovanni Manna   Poetry about favorite people is offered here from poets Nikki Giovanni, James Berry and John Agard as well as Charlotte Zolotow, Mary Hoberman and Langston Hughes. Giovanni Manna's watercolor and ink paintings have a bit of a Peter Max feel, and also conjure up Tomi Ungerer's work. Relationships are the compiler's subject, so there are poems about successful friendships as well as those that are rocky. Gwendolyn Brooks' poem "André," confirms a boy's acceptance of his parents, while Hiawyn Oram's "Urgent Note to My Parents," offers parents important advice. Poems from the sibling point of view express the joys and difficulties of holding a new baby sister and tell of the yearning to be as old as a big sister. Grandmothers and grandfathers receive a kindly look, and even teachers who read to their classrooms are given their due! Here is a gift from Britain that will enhance most collections. 2000, Barefoot Books, Ages 5 to 10, $16.95. Reviewer: Martha Shaw Song for the Whooping Crane Eileen Spinelli Illustrated by Elsa Warnick    Spare verses with thoughtfully evocative imagery celebrate the flight of these rare birds to their refuge in the south, where they feed, play and even dance. Then, "when blossom-scented April nears the whooping cranes take off like feathered spears." They return to their northern nesting grounds, where we hope they will breed and survive. Warnick's mostly double page watercolors have a subtle sensitivity associated with Chinese or Japanese paintings. Most show one or more cranes in a variety of activities, always emphasizing the natural grace of these elegant birds. Skies, landscapes, even a fish-filled pool are also presented in the most subtle of tints, enhancing the peacefulness of the cranes' world. 2000, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Ages 4 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-8028-5172-X The Space Between Our Footsteps: Poems and Paintings from the Middle East Selected by Naomi Shihab Nye   Taken from the poem "Bethlehem" by Nathalie Handal, the title alludes to the secrets that lie between the footsteps of the people who live in the Middle East. Each one of the poems and paintings presented in this beautiful volume is one artist's view of these spaces; an artistic rendering of the secrets of what it means to live in that part of the world. Touching on subjects as deceptively simple as a class picture and as devastating as a child being shot in the eye for staring at a soldier, this anthology explores the complexities and simplicities of life. As with all art, this collection speaks on many different levels to a diverse audience. There are some things a child reader may not understand upon the first read, but they will still enjoy the poetry and the paintings for the things they do understand. Each time they return to the book, young readers will see new things. It's a wonderful collection that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. 1998, Simon and Schuster, Ages 12 up, $19.95. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye ISBN: 0-689-81233-7 Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic Steven Schnur Illustrated by Leslie Evans   As they did in their prior book Autumn, Schnur and Evans have created a series of acrostic poems that relate to the warm days of spring. The budding plants, croaking frogs, longer days and lots of sunshine awaken our senses to the joys of springtime. The opening poem-After day of/Pouring/Rain, the last/Ice and snow finally/Leave the earth-which spells out "April," other poems such as "Nest," "Seeds," "Twilight" and the concluding poem "Zenith" will intrigue kids with their haiku-like style and cheerful messages. This collection would be an excellent choice for teachers and homeschoolers to introduce acrostics and to challenge kids to create their own variants. The linoleum cut illustrations with bold images and wonderful colors are equally pleasing. 1999, Clarion, Ages 5 to 10, $15.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-395-82269-6 Stone Bench in an Empty Park Selected by Paul B. Janeczko Illustrated by Henri Silberman   Janeczko introduces the reader to Haiku - its standard structure and other qualities - in an easily discernable way. He succeeds in his attempt to show that there is nature in the city. Through both the poetry and the crisp black and white photographs we view the ordinary from a new perspective. Is that an ugly overflowing trash basket in the park? Not according to Jane Yolen who says, "Ice-cream wrappers bloom/ In overflowing baskets./Summer in the park." Nikki Grimes, Myra Cohn Livingston, J. Patrick Lewis and Bobbi Katz are among the poets included in this book of 33 Haiku. Much care has been taken in the selection of the photographs. The reader can feel the wet cement under the empty swings in the park. The heat of the summer, the cold of the winter, the moment of flight for some pigeons, and the moon among the skyscrapers are images captured by Silberman. Strong visuals and equally stimulating poems combine in a book with multiple uses: discussions on city living and/or nature, examples of Haiku, and just simply to enjoy the images. 2000, Orchard, Ages 8 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo. Stories and Poems for Extremely Intelligent Children of All Ages Harold Bloom   The feel of the outdoors is nicely captured within the pages of this book of poetry. The poems about the mountains and the high country will resonate with anyone who has witnessed the often desolate beauty of the landscape at higher elevations. "Above the Tree Line" describes how "plants crouch/on stingy soil" where "cold wind blows/and life belongs/to the strong." "Summer Vacation" depicts a different scene as in August, "the mountain counts/forget-me-nots/listens to squirrels/and rests." Hardy creatures, including sheep and eagles, are depicted in their natural habitat, where the visitor is often surprised by their presence. The quiet of the forest is felt in "Crossing Paths" where the hiker stands near the hoofprint of a deer, and one of the irritants of nature is described in "Landlords," where flies abound and force the visitor to run from the shady spot. "Low Tide" pictures the sand as a table deserted by guests who leave "sanddollar cookie crumbs" and "shell coins" for tips. 1999, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 7 to 12, $14.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford Touch the Poem Arnold Adoff Pictures by Lisa Desimini    Adoff has done it again! This collection of poems about our sense of touch will also put the other four senses into high gear. Everyday experiences are captured and held suspended for a moment—just long enough to make the reader think about them in a new way. Adoff plays with the conventions of writing in several ways—varied spacing of letters and words, line lengths, shapes of poems, and the use of capital letters for every word. At the same time, Desimini mixes many media forms to create appealing visual images such as an infant's foot resting in the palm of a child's hand, and a face completely surrounded by bubbles in a bathtub. Sometimes the presentation is vertical, other times it is horizontal. Children will see a whole new side of poetry in this book. 2000, Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, Ages 6 to 10, $16.95. Reviewer Carol Lynch ISBN: 0-590-47970-9 Touching the Distance: Native American Riddle-Poems Brian Swann Illustrated by Maria Rendon   If you like to solve riddles, this is the book for you. Swann has selected 14 traditional riddles from Native American tribes in Mexico, Alaska, Southwest Bolivia, and Omaha, Nebraska, and transcribed them into poems. Some of the riddles are easy to solve while others are more sophisticated. Plants, animals, and the senses are among the topics. Each riddle is accompanied by an illustration containing the answer. There are marvelous shapes and eye-catching colors in the mixed media illustrations. The three-dimensional feel and texture make you want to reach out and touch the objects pictured. Answers to the riddles as well as their sources can be found at the end of the book. 1998, Browndeer Press, Ages 9 to 12, $16.00. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo ISBN: 0-15-200804-7 Under the Breadfruit Tree Monica Gunning Illustrated by Fabricio Vanden Broeck   In these 36 poems, the author paints a portrait of her childhood in Jamaica. Her language conveys a gentle island inhabited by people who look out for each other in the true sense of community. This is especially evident in "One Hand Washes the Other." Characters come to life through a child's eyes; and we meet loving Grandma, generous Aunt Mae, mean old Aunt Aggie, graceful Stella-Sue, storyteller Nana, and a host of others. Her keen observances go to the heart of the matter. Distinctive black and white sketches enhance the musical text. 1998, Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press, Ages 6 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Jeanne K. Pettenati ISBN: 1-56397-539-4 Until I Saw the Sea Selected and Photographed by Alison Shaw   Anyone who says you can't judge a book by its cover hasn't seen this book's stunning cover photograph. The bright colors and clear lines of the photo of a little girl flying a kite form a perfect precursor to this collection of lively seashore poems. The poetry is beautifully selected, with language as clear and crisp as Shaw's accompanying photographs. Words and pictures come together to capture the magic of a trip to the beach, from the giddy evocation of scents in Joanna Cole's "Driving to the Beach" to the dynamic rhythms of Nola Buck's "Seashore Recipe," winding down finally into the sleepy repetition of the anonymous "Nantucket Lullaby." A beautiful celebration of the sights and sounds of the sea. 1998 (orig. 1995), Henry Holt, Ages 3 up, $6.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Kelly ISBN: 0-8050-5794-3 Very Best (Almost) Friends Poems of Friendship Collected by Paul B. Janeczko Illustrated by Christine Davenier   The title is a reminder that, although true friendship may be precious, it is not always perfect. The poems celebrate the joys as well as the torments kids experience as they make, keep, and lose friends. And then, there are those "friends" who are not. Of particular delight is "The Dollar Dog" by John Ciardi which ends with, "Yes, some might call him a mongrel, but/To me he was thoroughbred, pedigreed mutt./A middle-sized nothing, or slightly smaller;/But a lot of kinds to get for a dollar." Yes, there are those times in life when a dog is the most comforting friend. A clever and funny poem is "Toby Twits Tina" by Jeanne Steig, while "Jim" by Gwendolyn Brooks touches the heart. Charlotte Zolotow, Myra Cohn Livingston, Judith Viorst, X. J. Kennedy and Nancy Willard are among the other writers celebrating friendship in this slim volume of nicely illustrated poetry. 1999, Candlewick Press, Ages 8 to 12, $12.99. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford ISBN: 0-7636-0475-5 Wake Up, House! : Rooms Full of Poems Dee Lillegard Illustrations by Don Carter    Thirty-four brief, simple verses speak to or about familiar objects around the house, from refrigerator, closet and vacuum in the morning to the television, tub and bed of good night. Carter's relief pictures using foam board, plaster, and acrylic paints are equally simple. He produces textured cutouts of the poems' subjects and then photographs them using lighting to create shadows for a convincing three-dimensional look. The inventively light-hearted pages use bold color contrasts that should appeal to the very young, while the jacket/cover and endpapers set the stage effectively. 2000, Alfred A. Knopf/Random House Inc., Ages 3 to 6, $14.99 and $12.95. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-679-98351-1 ISBN: 0-679-88351-7 When It Rained Cats and Dogs Nancy Byrd Turner Illustrated by Karen A. Jerome   "Did you ever hear of the wonderful day when it rained in the most remarkable way? There weren't any mists, there weren't any fogs, it just rained nothing but cats and dogs." First published in 1946, this updated version of the popular poem is accompanied by vivid, full-color illustrations. The paintings are full of energy, and children will delight in the colorful detail as cats and dogs tumble to earth. A variety of breeds are shown falling onto chimneys, umbrellas, into swimming pools and going down slides. The familiar cliché is brought to new life in this version, making this a charming read-aloud book. Perfect for a preschool story time or an early introduction to poetry in the elementary classroom. 2000 (orig. 1946), Meadow Geese Press, Ages 3 to 6, $14.95. Reviewer: Cheryl Peterson ISBN: 0-9665564-1-0 Where Go the Boats? Play Poems of Robert Louis Stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson Illustrated by Max Grover   Sailing coach-ships, regal block-cities, billowing pillow-hills, and pleasant lands across the sea- such are the imaginings of the innocent mind captured by Robert Louis Stevenson's poetry. Modern illustrations by Max Grover make this one a timeless classic. 1998, Browndeer Press, All Ages, $16.00. Reviewer: Leslie Verzi Julian ISBN: 0-15-201711-9 Who Bop? Jonathan London Illustrations by Henry Cole    This bunch of cool cats is getting ready to jam at a sock hop. The coolest of them all is Jazz-Bo-shades, suspenders and socks are the signatures of this sax-playing cat. His band includes a couple of dogs on drums and keyboard, but there is not doubt about who the real musical star is. Hares hop, frogs hop, snakes slither and the lion is dancing with the lamb. Everyone is getting along and seems to be having a great time beeping and bopping at this sock hop. The simple text is full of wonderful sounds that will challenge those reading it aloud. But, kids will get a kick out of the verse and the humorous colored pencil pictures on colored papers by Cole. They add another dimension to the verse and bring this cool cat to new heights. 2000, HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 6, $14.95 and $14.89. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-06-027917-6 ISBN: 0-06-027918-4 Who's Been Sleeping in My Porridge? A Book of Wacky Poems and Pictures Colin McNaughton   The author of this sometimes uneven book of verse obviously owes his inspiration to Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. His opening poem ("The bats are thirsty, Starved and thin, The moon is full, so COME ON IN") is actually a ghoulish parody of Silverstein's better known, "If you are a dreamer, come in." McNaughton has created a book of zany and sometimes gross poems that will certainly appeal to the elementary school aged crowd. So what if the poems don't always scan and the rhyme is off in places? Kids will delight in the pure "punniness" (A robot's memorial: "Rust in peace"), the imagery (aliens landing on a hair bald pate), and the plays on familiar nursery rhymes (a cannibalistic Old Woman in the Shoe). The illustrations are a highlight and frequently are critical to catching the full fun of the poems. The author's use of British terms and accents will stretch vocabularies and challenge young readers' imaginations. 1998, (orig. 1980), Candlewick Press, Ages 8 to 12, $16.99. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross ISBN: 0-7636-0106-3 Wild Country David Harrison   The feel of the outdoors is nicely captured within the pages of this book of poetry. The poems about the mountains and the high country will resonate with anyone who has witnessed the often desolate beauty of the landscape at higher elevations. "Above the Tree Line" describes how "plants crouch/on stingy soil" where "cold wind blows/and life belongs/to the strong." "Summer Vacation" depicts a different scene as in August, "the mountain counts/forget-me-nots/listens to squirrels/and rests." Hardy creatures, including sheep and eagles, are depicted in their natural habitat, where the visitor is often surprised by their presence. The quiet of the forest is felt in "Crossing Paths" where the hiker stands near the hoofprint of a deer, and one of the irritants of nature is described in "Landlords," where flies abound and force the visitor to run from the shady spot. "Low Tide" pictures the sand as a table deserted by guests who leave "sanddollar cookie crumbs" and "shell coins" for tips. 1999, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 7 to 12, $14.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford Yummy!: Eating through a Day Poems selected by Lee Bennet Hopkins Illustrations by Renee Flower    Tantalizing selections will tickle your taste buds and your spirits in this lively anthology. The morning smells of bacon and cinnamon buns whet our appetite in Karen O'Donnell Taylor's poem. Free verse poems spotlight the tropical pleasure of oranges, the cheesy goo of macaroni, and the stubbornness of ketchup bottles. In an onomatopoetic piece by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, colorful Jell-O wiggles, waggles and quakes us into a smile. Excerpts from David McCord's "Pease Porridge Poems" allow us to examine the ups and downs of eggplant. We witness a "pea-green fright" when Lee Bennet Hopkins' peas bounce off the page in wide-eyed wonder. We are even given instructions about the best way to eat a sandwich cookie and the "boring," but all-important "no burping, no slurping" rules at the dinner table. Kids of all ages will delight in the multicultural menu and pop-off-the-page paintings. 2000, Simon & Schuster, Ages 4 up, $17.00. Reviewer: Leslie Julian ISBN: 0-689-81755-X Additional Poetry Book Reviews 2001 2002 2003 2004 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. Updated 4/2/04