Poetry+Annotations

Poetry Annotations
Click the **Edit** button (far right side of screen) and paste your content in the space below. Make sure to **Save** changes before exiting. ** Kathi’s Picks: ** // **R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet.** // Written by Judy Young. Illustrated by Victor Juhasz. (Thompson Gale: 2005) This book presents and explains the meanings of several poetry related terms. I would read this book out loud to students as it might be too advanced for kids to understand. It would be great to read during your poetry unit as the explanations in the book can be further explained through the use of direct instruction and writing activities. I found a great website that teachers can print out and use in their classroom when ready to teach this unit. Teacher’s Guide [] ** Ten Times Better. Written by Richard Michelson. Illustrated by Leonard Baskin. (Marshall Cavendish: 2000) ** This book is a counting book that uses animals from A-Z. The end of the book has descriptive pages of each animal with an added word problem for each. Teachers and students alike will enjoy this book for its beautiful paintings and wonderful poems. Math teachers will find this book especially helpful when teaching students how to multiply by ten. Check out the website below for a useful third grade lesson plan: Grade 3 Math Lesson Plan: [] ** The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders. Written by Jack Prelutsky. Illustrated by Petra ** **Mathers. (Greenwillow Books: 2002)** This book is filled with rhyming poems that kids will love. All the poems rhyme and have four line stanzas that are easy to follow and understand. The full color illustrations were done in watercolors. They add to the verse of the poems and will enhance the imagination of children who read the poems. I added a link to a teacher’s guide for this author. Teacher’s Guide for Jack Prelutsky: []

**// Dirty Laundry Pile, Poems in Different Voices. // Selected by Paul Janeczko. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. (Harper Collins: 2001) **
 * Megan Smith's Picks:**

This collection of poems would be great for reading aloud to students in Gr. 3-6. The poems are written in the voice of an animal or object. This encourages the reader (or listener) to use her imagination and picture what it is like to be a washing machine, horse, snowflake, or a mosquito. Janeczko identifies these types of poems as “persona” or mask poems, and compares them to the feeling you get when you play a part in a play or dress in costume. The watercolor illustrations add to the silliness of the poems. There is no rationale to the order or theme of the poems; the first is about listening for sounds in a shell, the next about the gusty wind in winter. However, they are entertaining for both the reader and listener, and a great starting point for writing from a different point of view. My favorite is the poem by Bobbi Katz called “Washing Machine”. The illustrations, along with the word play, are really funny, and make me think about my own washer-ready for take-off when it’s overloaded!

**   There are fifty poems in this collection, divided into categories beginning with the American Revolution and ending with the Iraq War. The theme of the book is war and the effect of war on the loved ones of those who serve. The poems included in this collection are written by famous poets such as Carl Sandburg and Walt Whitman, as well as new poets, and even soldiers who wrote from the battlefield. The poems and illustrations in this collection are deeply moving. An example is the poem called “Care Package” by Janet Settimo. It tells the story of a girl fixing a care package for her sister who’s off at war in Iraq. When she goes to mail the package, she’s asked where the package should go if the soldier can’t be found (returned to her, to another soldier, abandoned?). She hesitates and answers, “Give it to another soldier”, although inside she’s saying “Find her!” The poem “A Soldier’s Letter to a Newborn Daughter” by Joan Bransfield Graham gave me goose bumps as well. The illustrations that complement the poems are beautiful, yet send a strong message to the reader. This book would be useful during History lessons focusing on the different wars, as well as for a current events study. The poems written about the Iraq War make it real for students. This book is appropriate for students in Gr. 5-8. It received a starred review from Booklist.
 * // America at War. //** **Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Illustrated by Stephen Alcorn. (Margaret K. McElderry Books: 2008)

Good Sports; Rhymes about Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More. //** **Written by Jack Prelutsky. Illustrated by Chris Raschka. (Alfred A. Knopf: 2007)**

This is a collection of rhyming poems all relating to sports. There are poems about all kinds of sports from baseball and basketball to gymnastics and playing Frisbee. The simplistic, watercolor illustrations capture the movement and the feelings of the athletes. I like these poems because they are fun, appealing to children, and give them the sense that they can do anything they choose. Poems like these encourage children to try hard, be a good sport, and boost their self-esteem at the same time. As a sports fan in general, I find these poems entertaining. This book is appropriate for students in K-5. The poems and illustrations tell simple stories with an energy that young students can relate to. Audrey’s Favorites! Who knew a Clerihew? How can you tell a Villanelle? Robert Frost once said that writing free verse was “like playing tennis without a net.” Well, here are 29 poetic forms, offering kids some nets for their poetry game. The examples of each form are fresh and kid-friendly, taken from a wide range of sources: X.J. Kennedy, William Shakespeare, Gary Soto, and Alice Schertle. Janeczko offers some insights on how to read through the book and get the most out of each form. First, read the poem, then read the explanatory note at the bottom of the page, then read the poem another “time or two.” There are more in-depth explanations of each form at the back of the book, which are helpful. And Chris Raschka’s bright, whimsical illustrations offer pictorial clues and colorful dimensions to each entry. This is a great book for introducing kids to poetic forms.
 * A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms**
 * Selected by Paul Janeczko and Illustrated by Chris Raschka (Candlewick Press: 2005)**


 * Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll Illustrated by Joel Stewart (Candlewick Press: 2003)**

I love this beautiful nonsense poem that can be used as a magic carpet to the imagination or as a helpful template for teaching the parts of speech. This particular edition has the most amazing illustrations. I’ve used the poem with 5th graders, giving small groups individual stanzas to act out. We put the whole thing together as a performance, and each group generally has a slightly different interpretation. The boys will enjoy the poem’s high energy. In the end we’ve tied up the class with a reading of this book.

This anthology of poetry for children includes 200 poems of various styles and moods that were selected by Bill Martin Jr. – favorite rhymes from Mother Goose, classics from Robert Louis Stevenson, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost and Langston Hughes and more recent poems of Mary Ann Hoberman, Jack Prelutsky and Bill Martin Jr. Altogether they provide a rich collection, arranged by theme to make it easier to browse and compare. There’s an index of titles, authors and first lines, but unfortunately no index for the incredible collection of illustrator talent that ranges from Lois Ehlert to Chris Raschka and from Aliki and Ashley Brown to Steven Kellogg and Nancy Tafuri. Wow!
 * The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry edited by Bill Martin Jr. with Michael Sampson, foreword by Eric Carle, afterword by Steven Kellogg (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers: 2008)**

Mary's Favorites //A Movie in My Pillow// written by Jorge Argueta. Illus. Elizabeth Gomez. Children’s Book Press. San Francisco, CA. 2001. Grade Level: 3-6. //A Movie in My Pillow// consists of beautifully written poems by Jorge Argueta. Mr. Argueta was born in El Salvador. He lived in a small house with dirt floors, no running water, and no electricity. Though he grew up with very little, he loved the sounds of the rain dripping on the tin roof; he loved the colorful Parakeets that sang each morning and various fruit that grew from trees. Due to the hard times in El Salvador Jorge came to the United States. The poems in this book are based on his life when he first came to America. He shares with his readers his memories, his dreams, his feelings, and what he shares as //the movies in my pillow//. This book is so real, so touching, that you feel as though you are a part of Jorge’s world.

//Poetry for Young People Robert Louis Stevenson// edited by Frances Schoonmaker. Illus. by Lucy Corvino. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. New York. 2000. Grade Level: 1-4.

One of many books in the Poetry for Young People series this book focuses on the classic children’s poems written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson’s poems are not only pleasant to read but to hear. The rhyme and rhythm flows easily, the topics capture children’s attention from swinging on the swing, to playing with your shadow. I like how Frances Schoonmaker focuses on various vocabulary used by Stevenson, words such as vale, lea, and hie, she gives alternative words to describe the vocabulary and makes it much easier for children to comprehend and visualize.

//Today and Today// written by Kobayashi Issa. Illus. by G. Brian Karas. Scholastic Press. New York. 2007. Grade Level: PreK-2.

//Today and Today// is a collection of haiku poems written by Kobayashi Issa. Illustrator G. Brian Karas brings to life a set of poems gathered from Issa’s collection. //Today and Today// shares with the readers the many experiences that one family encounters from season to season by coming full circle. The poems are beautiful, sentimental, and Karas’ illustrations are sweet and innocent. He captures Issa’s message with ease.

Laurie’s Favorites! // The Blacker the Berry //. Written by Joyce Carol Thomas. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. New York: Joanna Colter Books, 2008. Ages 9-12. This is a poetry book about color…skin color. In this collection the author explores the “many shades of black.” Poems with titles such as //Raspberry Black, Toast// and //Biscuit Brown// explore the rich beauty and family heritage of a variety of children. The illustrations are also rich and beautiful showing the joy and love of childhood. In the closing poem, Color Struck, Thomas sums up the feeling of this volume with the lines: “We are color struck The way an artist strikes His canvas with his brush of many hues…”

Laurie’s Favorites! // Tour America: A Journey through Poems and Art //. Written by Diane Siebert. Illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2006. Ages 9-12. The inspiration for this collection of poems was Siebert’s ten-year journey around the country. Her poems highlight interesting, and some lesser-known, sights around the United States. Each poem is accompanied by Johnson’s artwork created using a variety of media. Readers learn about Lucy the Elephant in Margate, New Jersey and the Bristlecone Pines in Nevada, which are described along with sites such as the Washington Monument and the Gateway Arch This collection is a fun way for children to explore the wide array of wonders contained in our country. Each poem and illustration is also accompanied by interesting facts about the sight. There is plenty to hold the interest of any child, or adult!

Laurie’s Favorites! // Jazz //. Written by Walter Dean Myers. Illustrated by Christopher Myers. New York: Holiday House, 2006. All Ages. This collection of poems and illustrations by a father and son team, brings to life the wonders of jazz music. The book starts with an introduction by Myers giving a brief history of jazz. There is also a timeline in the back of the book. Each poem has its own rhythm and mood and the collection covers a variety of jazz styles. From the bluesy “Oh Miss Kitty” to the sultry “Jazz Vocal” the intense, colorful illustrations compliment the words they accompany. You’ll find yourself swaying, stomping, humming and shouting as you immerse yourself in this treasure of poetry.

**Pat's picks**

__Casey At the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic, Sung in the Year 1888__ by Ernest Lawrence Thayer, illustrated by Patricia Polacco, Putnam 1988, grades 2-8 In the game America loves, baseball, this poem features the hero of Mudville, the mighty Casey, the unrelenting power hitter. It tells the story of Casey coming up to bat in the ninth inning, with all expectations that he will hit the ball and save the game. This poem captures the tension and fervor of the fans, in language that kids can understand.

This poem has been published many times, and more recently with fresh illustrations to bring the feeling alive, but this version is by far the best available for elementary readers. What is different in Polacco’s pictures is that Casey is a boy, making the story line immediately relevant to children. She introduces the poem with an illustration of Casey at home before the game, and finishes the work with Casey walking home with his dad the umpire, a sympathetic twist on the original work. Magnificent handling of an American classic, every school should own this version.

__Scared Silly: A Book For the Brave__ by Marc Brown, Scholastic 1994, grades K-6 This is a compilation of poems, riddles, jokes, and stories with well-known contributors such as Jack Prelutsky, Marc Brown, Ogden Nash, Judith Viorst, and Jane Yolen. The works are centered around childhood fears, such as fear of monster, fear of the dark, etc.

Wonderful assortment of poems, mixed in with other fun things to read; may be enjoyed alone or as a read aloud. This book is my pick for any teacher to read to his/her class because it offers variety. Some of the selections are funny, others are absurd, but all of them speak to children’s fears and are immediately recognizable.

__Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook__ by Shel Silverstein, Harper 2005, grades K-8 Clever and hilarious poetry with first-letter transpositions, as suggested by the title. The main character Runny Babbit is featured in the poems, told in Runny Babbit talk, which tell of his life, friends, and adventures.

This book has to be read out loud to appreciate the silliness of the words, and I’ll bet you can’t do it with a straight face. If you’re an adult, you may need to read it twice (as I did). Silverstein’s clever use of language is bound to engage even the non-lovers among us, and Runny Babbit’s simple situations are easy enough for first graders to understand.


 * Tarah’s Picks**

//A Cat’s Night Before Christmas,// by Henry Beard. Broadway Books, 2005. When a book starts with “Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, I’d killed the last mouse,” you know you’re in for something a little bit different. In this slightly irreverent retelling of the classic poem, we find a bored cat ready to cause some hilarious mischief while waiting for Saint Kitt to come, pulled by his 12 mice with names such as Juicy and Chewy and Yummy and Crunchy. Who can resist such stanzas as “On top of the counter, Birdzilla was thawing; On that big ugly gobbler they soon would be gnawing. I catch heck for nibbling a few baby sparrows, and they feast on turkeys the size of wheelbarrows.” Created by the founder of The National Lampoon Magazine, I’d say this is for an older elementary crowd, though younger kids will probably love it, too. With colorful watercolor illustrations by Susann Ferris Jones that help tell the story. There is also //A Dog’s Night Before Christmas// by the same author and illustrator.



//Come to my Party and other Shape Poems,// by Heidi B. Roemer. New York, Henry Holt and Company, 2004. Ages 4-9 For those who love shape poems (and who doesn’t?), this is an excellent choice. There is much variety and imagination among these inventive poems that are grouped into the four seasons. The bright and whimsical illustrations, by Hideko Takahashi, are integral to the poetry, as the words form shapes and intertwine with what’s happening in the pictures. The poems are short, rhyming, and easy to understand but lots of fun to see and listen to. We see words strung between telephone poles and used as candles on a menorah. We also see words falling like autumn leaves and acting as a piece of pumpkin pie. The different fonts, sizes, colors and shapes will appeal to children and hopefully encourage them to try making their own shape poems.



// English Fresh Squeezed! 40 thirst-for-knowledge-quenching poems, // by Carol Diggory Shields. Illustrated by Tony Ross. Brooklyn, NY: Handprint Books, 2004. Grades 4-7. One of the BrainJuice series, which includes American History and Science, this book examines the complexities of the English language in hilarious poetic form. Learning about the English language and how to spell, punctuate, write letters and poetry has never been so much fun. Who can resist “How Many Homonyms?”- When he ate eight pairs of pears, my dear deer grew quite sickly, but the doc by the dock, his herd had heard, could cure him pretty quickly, or “Status of my Homework Assignment about Contractions”- Could’ve. Would’ve. Didn’t. Should’ve. Diggory makes fun of all the crazy rules while teaching us something in a way we can understand and enjoy. Includes various related quotes at the top of each page and funny illustrations that don’t overwhelm the poems.

Helen's Pick **Scieska, Jon. Science Verse. New York, Viking Children’s Books, 2004.** Complete with Lane Smith’s characteristic art, this is a book of funny verse. Seemingly not intended to be taken seriously, it pokes fun at science and scientists generally, but also plays with scientific themes “It’s raining, it’s pouring. For H2O it’s boring:…” The quirky nature of the presentation adds character and appeal and shows children how much fun you can have with poetry.

Edited by Hopkins this is a lovely collection of poems, some of which have you laughing aloud. Some are sad and poignant. From the half eaten worm to the lost bathing suit, Tassalooma to new shoes (he wanted skates). The layout and font add to the poems and are used to great effect. Wolf Erlbruch does a superb job of illustrating the poems, adding beautifully to the feelings portrayed. (Can you tell I REALLY like this one?)
 * Hopkins, Lee Bennett. OH, NO! Where Are My Pants?and Other Disasters. New York, Harper Collins, 2005.**

**Stockland, Patricia M. The Free and the Brave. Minneapolis, Compass Point Books, 2004.** This is a collection of poems some written as far back as the end of the 19th century, others as recently as 2000. The illustrator, Sara Rojo Pérez does well at generating the feel of the poems, from the detailed and colorful Fourth of July to the spare and somber chain of slaves. The collection is annotated and is part of a series called the Poet’s Toolbox. There are descriptions of form and style accompanying each poem and a glossary of terms in the back of the book. Very useful for helping to teach about poetry and how to construct poems, but more than that it is a thoughtful collection that attempts to bring together many different aspects of the United States and some of it’s history.

** “Dirt on My Shirt,” by Jeff Foxworthy, illustrated by Steve Bjorkman. (Harper’s Collins Publishers: 2008). K-2. ** This compilation of 34 simple poems is sure to amuse readers, from young to old. The book is filled with brief poems of all varieties that cover topics that students are sure to relate to: from losing a hat to bubble baths to making friends. We are introduced to silly characters, such as crazy Uncle Ed and Aunt Foo Foo, Uncle Moe with the big mustache, Uncle Keith with the great big teeth, and hairy Uncle Larry. Bjorkman’s animated illustrations light up the pages with their humorous flare. I would say this is a must read for simple yet witty children’s poetry, and furthermore, the poems can be used for rote memorization. ** “The Grapes of Math,” by Greg Tang, illustrated by Harry Briggs. (Scholastic Press: 2001). Ages 9-12. ** Tang introduces a fun way to practice counting with his witty poems and riddles, which are sure to motivate and entice. Instead of laboriously counting the objects, Tang suggests fun patterns and tricks embedded in rhyming form! He advices readers not to count all the mushrooms, “Let me give you some advice, just do half and count it twice.” Other creative ways to use patterns and combinations are offered when counting dice, strawberry seeds, and even, you guessed it, grape vines. Briggs’s colorful illustrations add to the enthusiasm of doing math a fun way. Math and poetry in 40 vibrant pages is quite a find.
 * Tessa’s Pick! **
 * Tessa’s Pick! **

** “The Burger and The Hot Dog,” by Jim Aylesworth, illustrated by Stephen Gammell. (Atheneum Books for Young Readers: 2001). Ages 4-8. **
 * Tessa’s Pick! **



This collection of 23 poems features edible stars that explode with personality and an abundance of word play and puns. The angry looking burger and hot dog on the cover page are enough to draw in an audience, but the silly banter of the foods is what keeps you reading. Sugar cookies turn to crumbs, ice cream bars melting in the sun, and blueberries feeling blue provide a surprising sense of delight. The illustrations, despite featuring odd and somewhat unappealing details, complement the peculiar poetry nicely. I would definitely recommend perusing the verse cuisine.


 * Marcia's Picks

** //**Pocket Poems**// ** Selected** ** by Bobbi Katz, illustrated by Marylin Hafner. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 2004.** This collection of short poems by authors such as Emily Dickinson, Nikki Giovanni, Valerie Worth and Jack Prelutsky are selected to be short enough to keep in your pocket and pull out any time you need one. Since most of the poems are only a few lines, they would also be perfect for reciting. With cheerful watercolor paintings to illustrate the rhymes, younger children will especially enjoy this collection, with its emphasis on animals, school and children’s daily lives. A very accessible introduction to poetry for children in preschool through grade 4.

**//Eureka! Poems about Inventors//** **by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by K. Bennett Chavez. Brookfield, Connecticut: The Millbrook Press, 2002** **//.//**
 * // This is a neat collection of free verse poems that honors inventors throughout the ages. Beginning in prehistory, with an interesting range that includes: Ts’ai Lin, inventor of paper, Johann Gutenberg, Leonardo Da Vinci, Mary Crosby inventor of the bra, Walter Morrison inventor of the Frisbee and ending with Tim Berners-Lee who invented the World Wide Web. They have one thing in common—each saw a need and worked to fulfill it. Each section also contains biographical information on the inventors. Interesting to read as well as rich in content, this collection would also tie in nicely with a science or biography unit. Each page is nicely illustrated, adding additional depth and context. Recommended for older elementary students, grades 3 and up. //**

Thirteen outstanding Black Americans are remembered in this superb collection of poetry. Arthur Ashe, Harriet Tubman, Jesse Owens, Langston Hughes and Marian Anderson are a few of the inspiring personalities that Lewis memorializes in beautiful, rich language using a variety of poetic styles. Each spread includes the poem and an illustration representing the subject, done in a variety of mediums. Additional biographical information is included. Inspiring and beautiful to the eye and ear, this is a must-have for school libraries; grades 3 and up.
 * //Freedom like Sunlight: Praisesongs for Black Americans//** **by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrations by John Thompson. Mankato, MN: Creative Paperbacks, 2000.**


 * Tracy's Picks**

 //The Friendly Four// by Eloise Greenfield, Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist (HarperColins Children’s Books: 2006) Grades K – 3 This story told in poem form tells the tale of four new friends who spend the summer together. The poems, told in free verse with multiple voices, tell the tale of Drum (who thought it would be a ‘bummer summer’, Dorene (Drum’s new neighbor), Louis(who has found a loving foster home), and Rae (staying for the summer while her mom gets better) as they experience a fantastic summer together as the Friendly Four in “Goodsummer”. The poems offer hope, friendship and cooperation. In one poem “The Fuss”, the Friendly Four get into an argument at their kickball game. Drum: Then we all were yelling Rae: Our jaws were swelling Louis: Tears were welling up in our eyes Doreen and Ray: We went home mad, with nobody talking, the only sound was eight feel walking. Drum and Louise: But the very next day, we were all All: outside again, kicking that ball” (P29). The bold, colorful, detailed illustrations add to the feeling of a happy, fun-filled summer. The rhythm and rhyme enhance that feeling, as well. I like how the children welcome each new friend, and create adventures in their own neighborhood. I enjoyed the way that each child contributed to the verses individually, and sometimes together.

//Blues Journey// by Walter Dean Myers, Illustrated by Christopher Myers. (Holiday House: 2003) Grades 3 – 6 This ‘lyrics as poetry’ poem takes the reader on a blues journey that explores racism, love-gone-wrong, poverty, love and hope. Written as a traditional blues song, the poem uses the call and response. The first two lines are the call, and the third line is the response. Here is an example: Blues, won’t you free me, Let all this suffering cease? Said blues, won’t you free me, Let all this suffering cease? Give me a feather pillow, and let me rest in peace. What makes this book so spectacular is the artwork by Myers’ son. All of the artwork was created using brown paper bags, white paint and blue ink, which sets the tone and mood for the poem. Accompanying the lines “Pain will push and poke you,/ despair will scrape the bone/…..Misery Loves company,/ blues can live alone” is a background of deep blue with the white words on one page. On the opposite page is a lighter blue and white background with two boys with brown clothes and skin. One boy is comforting the other one who appears to be crying with his hat covering his face. I think the artwork is the center of this book; even though the words are beautiful, they are greatly enhanced by the artwork. The book ends with a glossary of blues terms, as well as a timeline of blues history. I can’t say enough about this poem.

//It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles// by Jack Prelutsky, Illustrated by James Stevenson (Greenwillow Books: 2000) Grades K – 3 This collection of silly, perky, childlike poems is sure to make young readers smile. Some poems are just silly (//‘//Worm Puree//”//), while others offer bits of advice or comfort. “Today Was Not My Day at All” is about child having a tough day: “This morning I was menaced/ by a troop of marching ants/I brushed my teeth with shaving cream,/I split my brand new pants.” One of the reasons I like this collection of poems is that Jack Prelutsky uses the element of shape in several of the poems. “I am Winding Through a Maze” is written inside of a maze across two pages. “I’m Caught Up in Infinity” is written in the shape of the infinity symbol. Kids will sure to love to recite “Burp”, a poem about, well, burping. There is at least one burp in each line. There is a similar poem about hiccups. Another reason I like this collection, is that the rhythm in each is easily understood and he uses alliteration and rhyming in fun, perky ways that are appealing to children. The illustrations are in black and white, but offer a humorous visual to the humorous poems. ** B//ig Talk: Poems For Four Voices// By Paul Fleischman Illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe, 2008.
 * Meg's Picks!

Big Talk contains poems meant to be read aloud by four people. The volume contains three different poems. The first “Quiet Evenings Here” describes all the sounds of a quiet night in with family. The next poem “Seventh Grade Soap Opera”describes all of the drama that goes on in school. The last poem is told from the point of view of a ghost as it watches a family say grace and eat dinner. The poem evokes all the feelings of a family dinner; the food but more importantly the conversation. The book has a unique layout with each reader picking a color and then alternating lines. At times all readers red together. It is similar to singing a round. Colorful illustrations roud out the fun. Children will enjoy this fun new collection. The collection is also a great way to encourage students to read aloud. //Dirt on my Shirt// by Jeff Foxworthy Illustrated by Steve Bjorkman, 2008.

A collection of poems relating to every day occurrences in children's lives. From “Are we there yet?” which pokes fun at this common childhood question by depicting asking before the car even leaves the driveway to “Making Friends” which list a long list of things friend can do together. “Dirt on my Shirt” makes the joy of being dirty come to life. The poems are lyrical and funny and tell of experiences all children will relate to ...“ lost my favorite hat. I don't know where it's at.” The poems go on with humorous descriptions of members of the family from”Uncle Ed and Aunt Foo Foo” to “Grandma”. Children will enjoy reading this collection and will relate to the humor in their everyday lives.

A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poem. By Paul Janeczko Illustrated by Chris Raschka

The book is filled with beautiful illustrations which are made of cut out fabrics and papers. The illustrations add meaning to the poems and the shape and line the words follows really adds to the meaning of the words. The words form shapes and dance all over the pages. The poems are each unique from the one word “Stowaway” to “Tennis Anyone” where the verses are on varying sides of the page like a tennis volley. Although the collection would be hard to read aloud children will delight in browsing through the collection. Most of the poems lose their meaning if not seen as they are illustrated. “Whee” describes a sled ride down a steep hill and the word follow the downhill slide. Children will enjoy reading and browsing this collection of concrete poems.

=//Mia's Picks!//=

John Lithgow wrote this poem for a commencement speech that he gave at Harvard University. This story in verse tells about a little mouse that sets out to find food for her hungry family. She makes her way to college in the backpack of a Harvard student, and finds that she is fascinated by what she learns. She earns the respect of a professor and ends up graduating from college, while her family watches proudly in the audience. This is a great little poetic story that children will love.
 * [[image:mihaliamouse.png width="107" height="125" align="left"]]Mihalia Mouse Goes to College by John Lithgow**

Best suited for older elementary students, this book in freestyle verse tells the story of the dust bowl of the 1930’s-and what it was like to live amidst the constant Oklahoma sand and dust storms, the threat to the crops, their family, and their very existence. Perhaps living with this dust gives the lead character the strength to get through the challenges she faces in her life.
 * [[image:outofthedust.png width="126" height="165" align="left"]]Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse**

Becoming more and more popular are the stories written in poetry form. This one is about William Blake’s Inn. It begins: //Thus inn belongs to William Blake// //and many are the beasts he’s tamed// //and many are the stars he’s name// //and many those who stop and take// //their joyful resr with William Blake.// This gentle poem illustrates for the reader the history of the inn and the experiences of the eclectic group of travelers who have rested there. Each poem works together to tell the story of the inn, and each poem is filled with imaginative and fanciful situations.
 * [[image:williamsblakesinn.png align="left"]]A Visit to William Blake’s Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Traveler’s by Nancy Willard**

A collection of 74 classic poems from poets such as Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allen Poe, Sylvia Plath, E.E. Cummings and many more. The poem by E.E. Cummings is one of my favorite poems for children, //“Maggie and millie and molly and mae.”//
 * [[image:barefootcollection.png align="left"]]The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems edited by Jackie Morris**

//maggie and millie and mollie and may// //went down to the beach to (to play oneday)//

//and Maggie discovered a shell that sang// //so sweetly she couldn’t remember her troubles, and//

//millie befriended a stranded star// //whose rays five languid fingers were;//

//and molly was chased by a horrible thing// //which raced sideways while blowing bubbles: and//

//may came home with a smooth round stone// //as small as a world and as large as alone.//

//for whatever we lose (like a you or a me)// //it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.// //E.E. Cummings//

The poems are ones all children should know (//The Owl and The Pussycat)// and deal with topics relevant to childhood: love, playing on the beach, friendship, death, birth, dancing and singing and much more. This is a rich collection of classics that children should not missed.

In his typical humor filled fashion, Prelutsky teaches us how to write a book based on incidents from our lives. The books also offers simple instructions for writing several different types of poems. Appropriate for elementary and upper elementary.
 * [[image:pizzapigspoetry.png width="129" height="192" align="left"]]Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem by Jack Prelutsky**

These love poems are written to the people and objects in a child’s life: parents, snowmen, pets, siblings, and teachers…one that caught my eye was one to //Mrs. McNasty// //Dear Mrs. McNasty:// //I almost like you today.// [Signed] //Your Valentine Avenger.//
 * [[image:loveletters.png align="left"]]Love Letters by Arnold Adoff and Illustrated by Lisa Desimini**

There are also poems to //Mom,// and //Sis// and //Hard Working Dad//, //Dear Old Cat// and //Dear Dog Spot.//

//Dear Self// also caught my eye: //Dear Self:// //How are you?// //How am I?// //I am fine.// //Fine I am: because I am my number one valentine.// [Signed] //Your First Love.//

There are so many good poems in this book that I would love to read them all to you! These love poems are not mushy or gushy-but they successfully express love in a way that a child would express it. Children are very practical, as is shown in the love poem from a brother to a sister; he warns her to be careful using the scissors, as they are sharp. In typical brother style, he then points to the drop of blood on the letter from a cut that he got while cutting out the heart he was making for his sister. He goes on to point to the globby white stuff, that looks gross, but he assures his sister it is only paste. This may not sound like much of a love poem, and that is what makes this such a good poem-no brother in his right mind would write anything that actually sounds like a love poem for his sister, but what comes through is that it truly captures the underlying affection, expressed in a very brotherly way.


 * [[image:monsterpoems.png align="left"]]The Essential Worldwide Monster Guide by Linda Ashman llustrated by David Small**

This is a book of poems about monsters from around the world, written as a travel guide of sorts. The poems are about monsters that some people believe to be true in the poems and beneath each poem the author give a brief description about the monster and where the monster is from. For example the poem //Shore Warning// talks about the Loch Ness Monster: //Be careful near Loch Ness.// //Don’t wander off, oblivious.// //Nessie likes the water,// //But she just might be amphibious.//

Beneath this poem the author provides the following information on this mythical creatures: “ The Loch Ness Monster, also known as Nessie, is an enormous serpentlike creature who lives in the waters of Loch Ness, Scotland.”

The book includes poems about Alicanto from South America, Abatwa, from Africa, Loch Ness from Scotland, Troll from Scandinavia, Siren from Greece, Hotot from Armenia. Domovik from Russia, Ravana from India, Ki-Lin from China, Tengu from Japan. Mimi from Australia, Adlet from Greenland, and Sasquatch from North America. What an interesting way to connect the people of the world through their fears of monsters!


 * [[image:pigscalender.png align="left"]]Sing a Song of Piglets A Calendar in Verse by Eve Bunting and Pictures by Emily Arnold McCully**

A poem for every month and a pig for every month-this is a cute way to teach about the months of the year. //January// //Sing a song of skiing, skiing in the snow,// //Wax your skis and bend your knees and down the hill we go.//

//September// //Sing a song of falling leaves, covering the ground.// //Scatter them and splatter them and toss them all around.//

I love these poems as they capture the essence of summer good and bad, ice cream and bee stings. The poems are quick and fun, and get us thinking about happy days to come. This might be a great end of the year book.
 * [[image:summeralutl.png width="115" height="155" align="left"]]Summersaults poems and paintings by Douglas Florian**

The poems are organized by the seasons. These poems are longer, more in depth poems that tell us a story about the characters. In //A Girl’s Garden// we learn about a neighbor of the speaker’s, who planted a garden as a young child. //she says she thinks she planted one// //Of all things but weed….// //Her crop was a miscellany// //When all was said and done,// //A little bit of everything,// //A great deal of none//. Each of these poems has a brief description that provides insight into the poem. As in //A Girl’s Garden// the note says: “This poem about a young girl’s garden is meant to be humorous, so Frost gives it a light and bouncing rhythm. But even though the story is a funny one, Frost makes a serious point about human nature.”
 * [[image:robertfrsot.png align="left"]]Poetry for Young People by Robert Frost Edited by Gary D. Schmidt Illustrated by Henri Sorensen**

In the poem //Birches// we learn about birch trees, that they are too flexible to support much weight. We also get a sense of the author’s struggles, not bad enough to make him want to leave this earth for good, but, sometimes wishing for a chance to start over: //It’s when I’m weary of considerations,// //And life is too much like a pathless wood// //Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs// //Broken across it, and one eye is weeping// //From a twig’s having lashed across it open.// //I’d like to get away from earth awhile// //And then come back to it and begin over.// //May no fate willfully misunderstand me// //And half grant what I wish and snatch me away// //Not to return…..//

These fun poems capture the voice of a child and the sometimes cagey relationship between a child and his or her siblings, friends and parents. The language in the poems is simple, one almost hears certain dialects at times, and this simplicity makes these poems accessible. In the poem Hat: //Teddy said it was a hat,// //So I put it on.// //Now Dad is saying, “Where the heck’s the toilet plunger gone?”//
 * [[image:sidwalk.png align="left"]]Where the Sidewalk Ends the Poems and Drawings of Shel Silverstein**

The drawing of course, shows a little boy (or girl) with a horrified look on her face where a toilet plunger on her head.

The poem //Smart// illustrates how sometimes ones own impression of oneself, is not always accurate. In this poem a young boy proves how he is the smartest son, because he has turned the one five dollar bill his dad gave him into five separate pennies….and everyone knows that to have five of something is far more than to have only one of something.

In his book **Don’t Bump the Glump and Other Fantasies**, Silverstein provides descriptions of nonsensical creatures and advice on dealing with those creatures. These little poems are silly and fun and the made up words will make children giggle-and what better way to draw children into a poetry than to show them how poems can make them laugh? In his poem The Slurm: //The Slavery Slurm at the first sign of trouble// //will squiver and sqimmer and bend himself double// //and worgle his elbow up into his ear and pull in his ankles and just disappear.//

Prelutsky is a children’s poet that you must know-he has written many poems for children, humorous, fun poems, that make us laugh. //When Tillie Ate the Chili,// //she erupted from her seat,// //she gulped a quart of water,// //and fled screaming down the street,// //she coughed, she wheezed, she sputtered,// //she ran totally amok,// //she set a new world record as she raced around the block.//
 * [[image:newkidblock.png align="left"]]New Kid on the Block poems by Jack Prelutsky**

//Tillie’s mouth was full of fire,// //Tillie’s eyes were red with tears,// //she was smoking from her nostrils,// //she was steaming from her ears,// //she cooled off an hour later,// //showing perfect self control,// //as she said, “What tasty chili, I should like another bowl.”//

This poetry book does a remarkable job at using the words and the pictures to depict the message.
 * [[image:doodledndies.png align="left"]]Doodle Dandies Poems that Tale Shape by J Patrick Lewis images by Lisa Desimini**