Poetry

The following reviews were made as part of an assignment for the Literature for Children course through Sam Houston State University.

The Llama Who Had No Pajama

Hoberman, M. A., & Fraser, B. (1998). The llama who had no pajama: 100 favorite poems. San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Co.

ISBN 978-1-415-66838-2

A collection of short poems on a variety of topics from family to weather, to animals and insects. The longest is the title poem that covers facing pages and in which the llama has outgrown his pajama. Unable to correct the situation despite multiple attempts he goes to bed convinced he will not be able to sleep at all. After sleeping soundly, he awakens to the realization that llamas do not need pajamas! Some poems are connected by clever illustrations while others fall into a theme such as a collection of poems about animals with accompanying illustrations that feel like a trip to the zoo.

I enjoyed this book, although I read it in one sitting it would be better enjoyed a little at a time. The poems could be used to teach lessons, address issues, or explore make-believe. One of my favorite poems was called “Comparisons” which addresses the issue that we are all different and our differences are not necessarily negative. The illustrations add to the poetry without distracting, well except in the case of “Cockroach” – I could have done without that one! Some are realistic and others whimsical according to the topic, done in gouache and watercolor. 

From GoodReads user Holly Price: “Want to get kids excited about and fall in love with poetry? Add Golden Award Winner, Mary Ann Hoberman's 100 poem collection, The Llama Who Had No Pajama to your reading library. Lots of fun with rhyme and rhythm with these high energy poems.” Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/401900 

The poems in this collection could be used in a variety of lessons. Whether in a study of animals, opposites, counting, or superlatives there is likely to be a poem in this collection to accompany it. TeachingBooks.net has a selection of activities to accompany this collection, one of which is a multileveled lesson so that you can choose the correct level for each of your students.

Also by Mary Ann Hoberman: Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart or Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers: A Collection of Family Poems 

 

This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness

Sidman, J., & Zagarenski, P. (2007). This is just to say: Poems of apology and forgiveness. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.     

ISBN 978-0-618-61680-0

Inspired by an apology poem Joyce Sidman wrote to her mother with the help of a 4th grade class, this collection of poems contains apology poems in a variety of formats from students in a class and an accompanying response poem. The poems run from lighthearted to deeply emotional. In some cases, the responses are written by someone other than the one apologized to and in others it has been edited.

Although the reader is led to believe that the apology poems are the work of 4th graders and the responses are by those wronged, it doesn’t quite ring true. In reading the dust jacket about the author she states “One day I sat down to write, and a group of students stepped forth from my imagination…” I think upon a second reading I would enjoy it even more to not be constantly analyzing the validity of this being written and illustrated by 4th grade students. The whimsical illustrations are mixed media collage and computer graphics. This would have been a smoother read if the apologies and responses were on opposing pages so that they could be read together. Overall, I enjoyed this collection.

From Kirkus reviews: ”Packed with the intensity of everyday pain and sorrow, kids and adults exchange the words that convey grief, delight, love and acceptance of themselves and others.” Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/joyce-sidman/this-is-just-to-say/ 

This book would be a great resource to use when talking about feelings and of course apologies and forgiveness. Poems such as “Fashion Sense” could be used to remind that we all have feelings and sometimes we do not need to say everything we think. This blog details a full lesson using the poem “This is Just to Say” that would be great in a language arts or ESL classroom: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blogs/editorrachael/ceri-jones-just-say. 

Also by Joyce Sidman: Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry or Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night.

 

Rutherford B., Who Was He?: Poems About Our Presidents

Singer, M., & Hendrix, J. (2013). Rutherford B., who was he?: Poems about our presidents.

ISBN 978-142317100-3

This collection contains poems about each president through Obama. In a variety of formats and including some quotes from the men themselves this book presents a quick history lesson from 1789 - 2013 (the year of publication). 

This book would be a great addition to any history or government classroom or lesson. Although some of the information contained requires context to understand the reader will find at the back of the book short biographies of each president which simply explain their presidencies and provide the needed context in most cases. The full color illustrations provide more context in political cartoon style for additional analysis by older students.

Publisher’s Weekly “But she doesn’t shy from potentially touchy issues…, and she infuses the familiar with new meaning, as in her verse for Teddy Roosevelt: “He took on greedy corporations/ and foreign powers with this trick:/ A president should speak quite softly/ but always carry a very large stick.” Hendrix’s (A Boy Called Dickens) mixed-media, editorial-style portraits are handsome, often incorporating bold typographical quotes from the presidents. He imaginatively links one leader to another … so readers see history not as a series of isolated moments, but as a continuous trajectory.” Retrieved from: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4231-7100-3 

With 39 total poems this could be used for poetry Fridays during the school year or relevant poems could be used as a stand-alone lesson during relevant history units. Additional activities available at: https://texasbluebonnetaward2016.wordpress.com/rutherford-b-who-was-he/. 

Also by Joyce Sidman: Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems or A Stick is an Excellent Thing: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play

The Firefly Letters

Engle, M. (2017). The firefly letters: A suffragette's journey to Cuba.

ISBN 978-1-537-90318-7

In this verse novel, author Margarita Engle tells the true stories of a nineteenth century Swedish feminist - Frederika, the daughter of a Cuban nobleman – Elena, and a slave girl - Cecilia. Each struggle to understand the others, not only in language but in life experiences. Frederika and Cecilia visit remote areas of the island while Elena stays inside working on items for her hope chest. After observing from her window, Elena sneaks out of the house to join them. When it is almost time for Frederika to leave, Elena demonstrates how much she has grown by offering a priceless gift to Cecilia. Three women, three cultures, three ideas of what freedom is show us that even in our differences we are similar.

The story of these women kept me intrigued, the verse was easy to read and effortlessly alternated between speakers to give the various points of view. Engle certainly has a way with words, bringing to light the adventures of the women in 1850s Cuba. This book is sure to intrigue readers with an interest in history and bring to life a time long past. When Elena’s plan is about to be revealed I found the most stirring lines of the book “My mind soars/and whirls/in a dance/of wild fear/and graceful hope.” 

Kirkus Reviews “And like the firefly light, Engle’s poetry is a gossamer thread of subtle beauty weaving together three memorable characters who together find hope and courage. Another fine volume by a master of the novel in verse.” Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/margarita-engle/the-firefly-letters/ 

This book would serve as a great accompaniment to a unit that covers slavery. Although the setting is Cuba it is not a far stretch to understand that there were many similarities in the United States. Additional activities and reference websites can be found at this blog: http://readingcaneducateeducators.blogspot.com/2011/09/firefly-letters-by-margarita-engle.html 

Also by Margarita Engle: The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom or The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano