800 LITERATURE

801.95 LITERATURE, HISTORY & CRITICISM

     The 8 articles about gothic and fantastic literature from 1761-1998 which begin this book each have annotated bibliographies, some of which contain 500 titles.  Ten other chapters include secondary literature and research aids, magazines, Internet sites, lists of best books, awards and winners, series, organizations, and conventions.  Purchase this outstanding source for high school and college collections for student genre research or for collection development.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Dresang, Eliza T. RADICAL CHANGE: BOOKS FOR YOUTH IN A DIGITAL AGE.
    Bronx:  H. W. Wilson, 1999. 344p.  0-8242-0953-2 pb.$45.00   98-34791   NF 801.95  

    If you want to be on the cutting age of reading in the digital age, then you need to read this book.  Dresang, a former school and public librarian, school district library and technology director, now a professor of information studies and developer of a web-based MA program, talks about radical changes in books and readers brought about by electronic media.  Dresang identifies literature that has characteristics of the digital age that are:  interactive, nonlinear, multilayered, graphic, contain multiple perspectives and unheard voices, or  break barriers in subject, setting, characterization, and endings.  Appendix A contains recommended books published between 1990-98 that reflect this thought.  A web site updates the list: http://slis-one.lis.fsu.edu/radicalchange/>  Appendix B is an overview of ideas about childhood and literature for children from the middle ages to the end of this century.  Required reading for library/media personnel at all levels K-college.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Horning, Kathleen.  FROM COVER TO COVER: EVALUATING AND REVIEWING
    CHILDREN'S BOOKS.  New York: HarperCollins, 1997.  0-06-024519-0, hb. $24.95;
    0-06-44617-X, pb.$12.95.    Gr 9-12+    Adult  801.95    PROFESSIONAL PICK

     This well-know public and university librarian provides criteria for evaluating picture books, easy readers, fiction, nonfiction, folklore, and  poetry.  Source notes and a bibliography for children's  books are included at the ends of each chapter.  Persons interested in critically evaluating children's books will use Horning's book for introductory or refresher collection development, writing reviews, and for understanding the elements of good children's literature.  Teachers of literature at all levels and book lovers will find the book informative.   Horning's book was purchased from LSTA grant funds and 30 were given to communities represented at the 14 workshops on book reviewing conducted by the Superiorland Preview Center.  Libraries who do not own this title need to purchase one.
     Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center
     Author and conductor of workshops on book evaluation and  review writing

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808.8 POETRY

    Although this book is written for students, teachers will appreciate the glossary of poetry terms and will also use the ideas for journal writing, the writing process, making books, and  finding a publisher.   Media specialists will use the bibliography of good poetry books and the list of the author's books for collection development.    Janeczko includes samples and ideas for writing the following types of poems:   acrostic; synonym, opposites, Clerihews, list, personal, and narrative.  There are ideas for writing: rhyme, creating images,, word choice, figurative language, and line breaks.  This is a first purchase for collections serving students fourth grade through adult education and for universities with education and library schools.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Leedy, Lorraine.  LOOK AT MY BOOK:  HOW KIDS CAN WRITE AND ILLUSTRATE
    TERRIFIC BOOKS.  New York:  Holiday House, 2004.  0-8234-1590-2 hb.  Gr. 1-4   808.2

    Lorraine Leedy comes through with a book that teachers will love, and students will be able to understand on their own.  The layout covers all aspects of the writing process and the steps needed for publishing.  The illustrations are colorful, and take readers step-by-step from beginning an idea to finishing a book.  The author also includes a resource page for writing, research skills, bookmaking, and getting published.  This will be a welcome addition to libraries and classrooms.
    Lynette Suckow Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI

Nye, Naomi Shibad., ed.  WHAT HAVE YOU LOST?  Illus. with photos by Michael Nye.
    New York: Greenwillow, 1999.  205p.   0-688-16184-7; hb $17.00    Gr.6+     808.81

     Intriguing cover photos displaying the question "what have you lost?" invite readers inside the collection to explore a wide array of losses experienced here and throughout the world.  Naomi Shibad Nye has written and collected these poems over several years–the loss of a parent, an old barn, friends, homes, and a night's sleep.  Some are memories held dear–a grandfather's love, while others are bitter memories–an abusive spouse now thankfully dead.  Some poems are harder to understand than others because of the array of different cultures represented.  Notes on the authors at the end of the book help to explain their meanings.  Photos by Michael Nye also display different types of losses which may be very useful in stimulating students to write their own poems on the subject.  This collection of about 90 poems will appeal to students dealing with their own losses.  It if hard to keep this book on the shelf!  Highly recommended.
    Barbara Berry, Media Specialist, Kalkaska Middle School, Kalkaska, MI

Tennyson, Alfred Lord.  THE LADY OF SHALOTT.  Illus by Genevieve Cote. Tonawanda, NY:  
            Kits Can Press, 2005.  48p.  ISBN 1553378741 hb. $16.95    Gr. 6-12    j821.8 TE

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Dubuc, Mrianne.  IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.  Trans. by Yvette Ghione.  Tonawanda, NY:
      Kids Can Press Ltd. 2010.  114p. ISBN: 9781554536412  hb. $18.95.  Gr. 1-3    NF  810

      IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE is a circular story using prepositions to describe what happens in front of this child's house.  It behooves the reader to pay attention while reading or listening to the story, it is amazing who shows up in front of the house.  This book would be a fun introduction to teaching prepositions.  While there are many pages, there is only one line per page.
      Christine Collins, Library Director, L'Anse Area School/Public Library

Holzer, Harold, comp.  ABRAHAM LINCOLN THE WRITER: A TREASURY OF HIS 
    GREATEST SPEECHES AND LETTERS.  Illus. with photos.  Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills, 2000.  
    107p. ISBN 1-56397-772-9; hb.$15.95    99-66551 Gr. 6+     810

     In the introduction, readers learn that Lincoln had the Lincoln-Douglas debates printed as a book because he wanted his views known and not thrown out with the newspapers.  He also wrote his speeches with an eye to publication.  Excerpts from five of those debates are included as well as 11 from his Illinois years, 1825-1860 and 15 from his White House years, 1861-65.  Lincoln's more famous speeches are included in the book:   "House Divided," " Gettysburg  Address," and "Emancipation Proclamation."   With more emphasis being placed on primary sources, this book is an excellent purchase for middle, high school, university, and public library collections.   The photos themselves come from the beginning of photography and reflect that quality.  Also useful are a chronology, index, and list of 13 places to visit connected with Lincoln.
     Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Tackach, James, ed.  SLAVE NARRATIVES.  Greenhaven Press Companion to Literary Movements 
    and Genres series.  San Diego: Greenhaven, 2001. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 2001.  190p.    
    0-7377-0550-7; lib.bdg., $22.95    0-7377-0549-3; hb., $14.96    00-037577    Gr. 9+     810.9

    Like other volumes in this series, this is a collection of essays from previously published works.  The essays are excerpts from books, introductions to books and journal articles with publication dates between 1973 and 1999.  The authors are recognized scholars in their fields.  Each essay begins with a short resume of the author’s scholarship.  Five chapters explore the origins and development, literary sources, expressions of freedom, gender issues, and enduring legacy of the slave narrative.  The essays in these chapters discuss the various elements that support the major theme of the chapter.  The Introduction and the following discussion of the slave narrative as an American genre, give the reader an overview of the genre in a chronological order, noting authors and works of particular importance.  The book concludes with the following three sections: Chronology, For Further Research, and Index.
    For the student wanting an introduction to this genre, this book offers a great starting place.  For the student who has read a slave narrative, this book can offer a variety of insights into the elements that make up the work.  The introduction, the discussion that follows and the chronology sections provide students with general or background information about slave writings.  The book is laid out in a logical progression and the five chapters cover the major elements of critical and analytical concern.  The essays that make up the chapters are thoughtful and well written.
    The interest level of this book is rated as Young Adult.   While all students can find useful information in this book, the students who would gain the most from it are those with a high interest in the subject, higher level students in high school or those in general literature courses in college.  A good book but may find limited use in most high schools.
    Ted Snodgrass, Media Specialist, New Haven High School, New Haven, MI

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811 AMERICAN POETRY, INDIVIDUAL POEMS

Burleigh, Robert.  GOAL.  Illus by Stephen T. Johnson.  San Diego: Silver Whistle/
    Harcourt, 2001.  32p.  0-15-201789-5 hb. $16.00  98-33181  Gr. 3-5    811.54

    This prose poem about a soccer team of guys and girls begins with a three-three tie and ends with success, “You, me, us--champions.”  Purchase where soccer is popular.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Carlstrom, Nancy White.  GLORY.  Illus by Debra Reid Jenkins.  Grand Rapids:
    Eerdmans, 2001.  32p.  0-8028-5143-6 hb. $17.00      Gr. K-3     811.54

    Each section begins “Glory to God for…”  a variety of wild creature that flutter or are fuzzy and have wings, gills, and fins, fur.  The oil paintings show a girl celebrating with a variety of creatures.  This is a solid public library purchase.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Clinton, Catherine.  PHILLIS'S BIG TEST. Illus. by Sean Qualls. New York:  Houghton Mifflin
          Company, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-618-73739-0 hb. $16.00.      Gr. 4-6     j811.1

          Phillis Wheatley, a slave girl, had been educated in her master John Wheatley's Boston home. She learned English, Greek and Latin with the household children. When she began to read poetry, she was inspired to write her own poems, which were good enough to catch the attention of important people in Massachusetts. But to achieve the recognition, she had to prove her talent and intellect before a panel of important people. She passed with flying colors.  This story about a remarkable young woman reveals some aspects of slavery and Phillis's determination to succeed for her family back in Africa.
          Acrylic paint and paper collage llustrations add to the appeal; however none of Phillis's poetry appears in the book. It seems incomplete without it.
          Judy Bennett, Clerk, Ironwood Carnegie Library, Ironwood, MI

Cyrus, Kurt.  HOTEL DEEP:  LIGHT VERSE FROM DARK WATER.  Illus. by author. 
    Orlando, FL:  Harcourt, Inc., 2004.  unp.  ISBN 0-15-216771-4 hb. $16.00    Gr. 1-5     811.6

    Dive into an undersea world of poetry and pictures with Kurt Cyrus, who also wrote Oddhopper Opera:  A Bug's Garden of Verses.  The story follows a lone sardine separated from the its group.  The sardine swims past crawfish, stonefish, anenomes, scallops, and flounder to search for the other sardines.  Find out fascinating facts about octopus eggs and cleaner wrasse.  There's a wealth of information in this unique poem that follows standard format, but then breaks into concrete poetry when the need arises.
    The illustrations are superb!  The coral looks like Greek architecture.  Sunlight filters down through the water and highlights colorful ocean creatures.  Readers can almost feel the water currents wash over the page.  This book is recommended for libraries and classrooms. 
    Lynette Suckow, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI

Eliot, T.S. OLD POSSUM’S BOOK OF PRACTICAL CATS.  Illus by Axel Scheffler.  New York:   
      Harcourt Children’s Books, 2009.  ISBN 978-0-547-248827-1 hb. $16.00   Gr. 3-12     j811

      Originally copyrighted in 1939, Eliots’s collection of poems featuring all kinds of feline creatures is entertaining, whimsical and amusing. Originally written for the entertainment of his Godchildren, all kinds of cats inhabit the pages which are illustrated which are illustrated in a style similar to the Sunday comics and which perfectly fit the poetry.  This is a good choice for libraries with a demand for diverse forms of poetry.  Teachers will find it a useful tool in teaching students that poetry can be fun.
      Barb Ward, Retired Children’s Librarian, Dickinson County Librar, Iron Mountain, MI

Florian, Douglas.  A PIG IS BIG.  Illus by the author.  New York:  Greenwillow, 2000. 32p.
    0-688-17125-7; hb. $15.95  0-688-17126-5; lib.bdg. $15.89   PreS-Gr.2     811  or   E

    This picture book in rhyme involves readers by asking them questions about the size of various animals and objects.  "What's bigger than a pig? ...cow? car? truck?  street? neighborhood? city? earth? universe?  What a charming way to learn about size.   Although the concept of earth and universe are hefty for the intended audience, the illustrations help with the concepts.  The last picture, showing a pig constellation, is more for the adult reader than the child but adds to the charm of the book.  You can’t have too many Florian titles.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 49855

Gander, Gregory.  SNOWY FLOWY BLOWY: A TWELVE MONTHS RHYME. New York:
    Scholastic, 1999.  unp.    0-590-18973-5; hb., $15.95.    98-4709   PreS-Gr.1     811   or    E

    This picture book is based on a poem called "Twelve Months" by Gander.  Tafuri's watercolor illustrations portray January as Snowy and show birds, deer and children on sleds.   Ducks see February as Flowy.  Other months are Blowy, Showery, Flowery, Bowery, Hoppy, Choppy, Droppy, Breezy, Sneezy, and Freezy. These rhyming words are large and easy for emerging readers to see.  The days of the months appear on all the pages but sometimes their color is light and they are difficult to read.  The last page shows Tafuri's picture book I LOVE YOU, LITTLE ONE (Scholastic, 1997) on the table between mother and child who along with a cat are looking out the widow while the father, two children, and dog are bringing in a Christmas tree on a toboggan.  The icicles on the window reinforce the word "Freezy."  School and ublic libraries who need picture books with limited vocabulary that children can read themselves will be interested in purchasing this title.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

George, Kristine O'Connell. BOOK!  Illus by Maggie Smith.  New York:  Clarion, 2001.
    unp.  0-395-98287-1; hb., $9.95.  00-065600   PreS- Gr. K   811.54   or    E

The acrylic illustrations on stiff pages that are easy for preschoolers to turn, show a flat square gift in green wrapping paper that a small boy opens to find a book that he can turn the pages by himself and read to his toy elephant or his cat or can be read to by his mother in a chair "warm and snug."  This book could be retitled "Ode to a Book" because the rhyme is a love affair between a toddler and his book.  Curling up with a book in bed with his stuffed animal and cat is a perfect ending.  Purchase this book for libraries, day care centers, and for baby gifts.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Glaser, Linda.  OUR BIG HOME: AN EARTH POEM.  Illus. by Elisa Kleven. Brookfield, CT:
    Millbrook, 2000.  32p.   0-7613-1650-7; lib.bdg., $21.90    99-45775    Gr. 2-4+     811  or   E

     This prose poem has a stanza and illustration on each double page spread.  The last unifying sentence in each stanza is "We all share the ...here on Earth, our ...home."  Items we all share are water, rain, sun, soil, air, wind, sky, darkness, moon, and all forms of life.  Besides the obvious environmental implications, the book has a uniting influence.  This book is useful for Earth Day and the rest of the year.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Hooper, Patricia.  WHERE DO YOU SLEEP, LITTLE ONE?  Illus by John Winch. New York: Holiday,2001.
    32p.  0-8234-1668-2; hb., $16.95.  00-053543    PreS-Gr. 3     j811      PAULIN'S PICKS

    This is an exquisite picture book from the end papers to the oil on handmade paper because the animals are cut out and arranged in layers before being photographed, giving it a 3-D effect.  A variety of animals are introduced in the story with the same question:  "...where do you sleep?"  The animal answers.  The surprise ending makes this a Christmas book although it can be read throughout the year.  Animals are chipmunk, field mouse, fawn, wren, rabbit, and spider.  The last question is posed to the pony, goat, and sheep who reveal the final sleeping creature. This book is a winner!
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Koontz, Dean.  EVERY DAY'S A HOLIDAY:  AMUSING RHYMES FOR HAPPY TIMES.  
    Illus.by Phil Parks. New York: HarperCollins, 2003.144p.  0060085843 hb.$12.59   Gr.3-6  j811
   
    Who would have ever thought that the master of mystery and suspense for adults would do a total turnabout and write children's stories and poetry?  Versatility is the name of Koontz's game,  and judging from his humor and uniqueness, he 
will have lots of players.  With his third juvenile creation, (The Paper Doorway and Santa's Twin being his previous works) 
he has proven, once again, that kids like the unconventional.  In this newest title, he combines fantasy, frivolity and a bit of bizarre.  The comical poems include explaining the origin of youngster's favorite holidays and festivities from Valentine's Day 
to Halloween to a few originals.  Koontz's comical poetry and Par's appealing drawings make a great tem and are sure to 
score big with this title.
    Patricia Fittante, Children's Librarian, Escanaba Public Library

Krauss, Ruth.  A VERY SPECIAL HOUSE.  Illus by Maurice Sendak.  New York: Harper, 1953; 1981
    32p.   53-7115     0-06-028639-3; lib.bdg., $14.89        PreS-Gr. 1     811 or E

    This Caldecott Honor Book contains a rhyming story on a yellow background.  The illustrations are black pen and ink drawings with only the narrator in blue and white.  The little boy dances through the book in his blue overalls and readers still follow him with interest even 20 years later.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

Lewis, J. Patrick and Keith Graves  THE WORLD'S GREATEST: POEMS.  Illus. by Keith Graves.
          San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2008. 33p. ISBN 978-0-8118-5130-5    Gr. 5-9   j 811.54

          The World's Greatest Poems contents reads like a Guiness Book of Records: The Kookiest Hat, The Tallest Roller Coaster, the Shortest Snake, The Biggest Potato, The Most Live Scorpions Eaten by a Human (they're better by the bunch, it says) for example. Grandpa Patrick wrote them for his grandchildren  and Keith Graves wrote for the guy who ate all those scorpions. The intended audience would share a lively imagination and well developed sense of humor.  Illustrations enhance the whimsy and nonsense.
          Judy Bennett, Clerk, Ironwood Carnegie Library, Ironwood, MI

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth.  PAUL REVERE’S RIDE: THE LANDLORD’S TALE.
    Illus by Charles Santore.  New York: HarperCollins, 2003.  32p.  0-688-16552-4;  hb.,
    $16.99     0-06-623747-5; lib.bdg., $17.89   2000-0389704     K-Gr. 4     811.3

    At first glance, the illustrations seem very dark.  However, the first double-page spread shows a colonial home by firelight as Revere’s poem is begun and life by firelight alone precludes the brighter lights of electricity.   Since most of the ride took place in the dark, the scenes in the book are dark.  However, at the end of the poem as the quest is at a successful end, the color lightens.  Although this is different from other picture books depicting the poem, consider this one for the contrast.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan

Lyon, George Ella.  BOOK.  Illus. by Peter Catalanotto.  New York: DK,  1999.
    unp.  0-7894-2560-2;  hb., $15.95.    K-Gr.5+       811

    This poem compares a book to a house, treasure chest, farm, tree leaves, and a field.  The highly imaginative illustrations augment the prose poem.  Librarians will like the quotes  "A BOOK is full of LEAVES that feed the tree of life" or  "A book is a chest that keeps the heart's treasure."  Use this book to celebrate book holidays.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Lyon, George Ella.  COUNTING ON THE WOODS.  Photos by Ann W. Olson.
    New York:  DK INK, 1998.   unp.  0-7894-2480-0, hb., $15.95.  97-34117
    PreS-Gr. 3+     513.2   or   E     PAULIN'S PICKS citation.

    Lyon's book gives extra value for the money; three different concepts in one picture book:  poetry, counting, and nature study.  The poem is in large print while the captions for the photos appears in lighter, smaller, italic print.  Each photo caption explains all or part of a rhyming couplet; "Eight flowers fed on dirt and showers."  The captions identify crested dwarf  iris, star chickweed, trillium, and lady slippers.  Five nests are also identified.  The pages for  "Ten trees whose innumerable leaves clean the air for everything that breathes." can prompt a discussion of photosynthesis or air pollution. Upper Peninsula  teachers will want a copy for their own rooms and other teachers will want copies available to use with biome studies. This is a picture book for all age groups and is a necessary addition to school, public, and home collections.
     Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Maccarone, Grace.  A CHILD'S GOOD NIGHT PRAYER.  Illus by Sam Williams.
    New York:  Scholastic, 2001.  32p.  00-41929   0-439-23505-7; hb., $10.95     PreS-K   291.4

    This bedtime book begins with "Bless the moon/Bless the Stars" and ends with "Bless the children everywhere."  In between those blessings, the child blesses the night-light, trucks, bears, family, pillows, water, earth, air and eight other items. This nondenominational book makes a good evening read-aloud.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

Melmed, Laura Krauss.  THIS FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY:  A COUNTING
    STORY.  Illus by Mark Buehner.  New York:  Harper, 2001.  32p. 0-688-14554-X;
    hb., $15.95  0-688-14555-8; lib.bdg., $15.89   94-14215    PreS-Gr. 3    811.54

    There is a short poem for each number up to a dozen.  The numbers alternate between Pilgrim children and Native American children.  All the work readers see is done by "sweet looking" children.  The last double page spread, for the number 12, shows the "Wampanoag and Pilgrim friends/together will break bread."  This is a very idealistic view of the First Thanksgiving Day.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Moore, Clement C.  THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.  Illus. by Bruce Whatley.
    0-06-026608-2; hb., $16.95   0-06-028380-7; lib.bdg., $16.89    97-34352     811.2

     On the surface this is a well-illustrated rendition of a famous Christmas poetry classic.  The illustrations are large enough to share with a group of children at a public library story hour.  The expressions in the eyes of the reindeer is priceless and Santa's twinkle, rosy cheeks, cherry red nose and white beard are many people's picture of Santa.
     The text of this poem is told in the first person by the father who is the main character in text and illustrations in this attractive picture book.  The story within a story makes this book multidimensional. The nonverbal story that takes place will be of interest to adults.  When Santa sees a picture on the mantle of a boy in short pants with lariat, he points to the boy and the man points to himself.  Then Santa winks and gives the man a small cowboy figure who looks remarkably like Roy Rogers.  This will appeal to grandparents and entice them to purchase the book and read it to their grandchildren.  The wonder on the man's face brings the magic of holiday giving alive.
     The small toy cowboy contrasts to the larger ones in Santa's bag and a more modern  race car driver which represents a newer generation than the narrators.  Children will see and hear one dimension of the story but parents and grandparents will see another from the illustrations.   If you need another copy of this favorite Christmas poem, this is an excellent addition to school, public and home librarians.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 49855

 Moore, Clement C.  THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: A VISIT FROM
    ST. NICHOLAS.  Illus. by Max Grover.  San Diego:   Browndeer/Harcourt, 1999.
    32p.  0-15-201713-5; hb.,  $16.00    98-15890   PreS-Gr.3+    811.2    or      E

     Bright folksy acrylics illustrate this favorite Christmas poem.  Grover uses humor in his illustrations and adds an "Identification Chart: How to Recognize Santa" which draws eyes to his rosy cheeks, dimples, nose like a cherry, ashes and soot, etc.  The last picture shows a cat and mouse finishing off the crumbs that Santa left on his snack plate.  This tongue in cheek inclusion makes this book humorous enough to use with students past primary grades.  If you need another copy of this favorite holiday poem, you can't go wrong with this one.   Highly recommended.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Myers, Tim. DARK SPARKLE TEA AND OTHER BEDTIME POEMS. Illus.by Kelley Cunningham.
          Honesdale, Pennsylvania:  Boyds Mills Press, Inc., 2006.  31p.   $16.95.    Gr. 4-8    j 811.54

          The title, DARK SPARKLE TEA, is the poetic name for Sagittarius, and is one of 22 wonderful bedtime poems that run the gamut from silly to reassuring. The rhythm and tongue-twisting challenges make reading them aloud very entertaining, even for grownups! The pastel illustrations transport the reader to the scenes of children's dreams, and wishes, and even offer lessons in astronomy.
          Judy Bennett, Clerk, Ironwood Carnegie Library, Ironwood, MI

Myers, Walter Dean.  HERE IN HARLEM:  POEMS IN MANY VOICES.  New York: 
        Holiday House, Inc., 2004. 88p.  ISBN 0-8234-1853-7 $16.95 hb.  Gr. 7-12    YA  811.54

        Myers has written many stories based in Harlem, but this volume is quite unique in its format.  The author has 
written each poem from the point of view of people in the community, such as a blues singer, a teacher, the 
unemployed, a laborer, and more.  The authentic photographs are not historical, but they definitely enhance the 
poetry. This is a young adult selection, but would provide a great reading experience for adults of all ages.
        Lynette Suckow, Youth Services, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI

Nelson, Marilyn.  A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL.  Illus.by Philippe Lardy.  Boston, MA:
    Houghton Mifflin, 2005.  Unp. ISBN: 0-618-39752-3 hb. $17.00.  YA  811.54

    A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL. Yes, that Emmett Till, the 14-year-old black child who was murdered in 1955 in Mississippi by five white men for reportedly whistling at a white woman.  Read this beautifully illustrated, masterfully written, commemorative book slowly and carefully. The subject matter will unsettle everyone's sensibilities-young adult through all of adulthood. It is jarring to be reminded of "innocence slaughtered by the hands of hate." The symbolism of plants and flowers [rosemary for remembrance] are entwined with blunt, yet eloquent, words about a horrible loss and the "consciencelessness" of the deed, time and place.  Author Marilyn Nelson, who teaches English at the University of Connecticut, has won many awards for her poetry. She says in her notes that the style is a heroic
crown of sonnets, 15 sonnets in which a variation of the last line of each becomes the first line of the subsequent sonnet.  She says concentrating on the complexity of form insulated her somewhat from the depressing events she was describing.     Nothing insulates the reader, however, from this painful page of history. Rightfully, so.
    Judy Bennett, Library Clerk, Ironwood Carnegie Library, Ironwood, MI

Prelutsky, Jack.  HALLOWEEN COUNTDOWN.  Illus by Dan Yaccarino.  New York:
    HarperFestival, 2002.  18p.  0-06-000512-2; bd.bk., $6.99     BB

    This Halloween board book is not too scary until the end when the ghost on the double-page spread says “Boo!”  The text, originally published as a poem called “Countdown,” was published in a book by Prelutsky called IT’S HALLOWEEN (Greenwillow, 1997).  This counting poem makes an age appropriate board book to help preschoolers count down from ten ghosts who reside in a variety of places like the attic or kitchen to only one ghost.  Although this is a Halloween poem, it could be placed with board books because ghosts are popular all year long.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Prelutsky, Jack.  AWFUL OGRE’S AWFUL DAY.  Illus by Paul O. Zelinsky.  New York: 
         Greenwillow, 2001.  40p. 0-688-07778-1; hb., $15.95  0-688-07779-X lib.bdg., $15.98.
         99-054232     Gr. 2-6+    j811.54

            All of the 18 poems are told in the first person by an ogre.  The poems are suitably grotesque; for example, in the first poem the ogre wakes up to his buzzard, tarantula, and piranha.  Spending the day with an ogre, and Jack Prelutsky’s poetry, may convince intermediate and middle school students that poetry can be fun.
            Mary Ann Paulin, Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

Rex Adam.  FRANKENSTEIN TAKES THE CAKE.  Illus. by Adam Rex.  Orlando, FL:
          Harcourt Children's Books, 2008. 40p. ISBN: 978-0-206235-4  hb. $16.00  Gr. 4-7  j811.6

          Ghoulishly funny poetry and illustrations that range from graphic, digital and pencil and oils add to the fun.  Repeated readings are just as laugh inducing as the first. "Off the top of My Head, the Official Blog of the Headless Horseman" is one of the fiendishly funny offerings. The object of other offerings are Edgar Poe, ads for a water pail diet, Dracula and the graphic art story of the Frankenstein's and his undead bride's wedding. Fun for older children, 'tweens and teens. Adults will not be immune to the fun.
          Barbara Ward, Children's Librarian, Dickinson County Library, Retired

Rosenthal, Betsy.  MY HOUSE IS SINGING.  Illus. by Margaret Chodos-Irvine.  New York:
    Harcourt, Inc., 2004.  unp.  0-15-216293-3 hb.; $16.00    Gr. K-5    E   or  811.6

    Rosenthal walks us through the house, using poetry to note some of the objects and routines found in many homes.  She even throws in some concrete poetry about the picture gallery in the hall and the ants finding food on the kitchen counter.  This book would be great to read aloud or to use as a starting point for units on poetry or our homes.  The illustrations are distinctive and add to the book's allure.  Each poem is featured within an illustration in easy to read print.
    Lynette Suckow, Youth Services, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI

Rylant, Cynthia.  LUDIE’S LIFE.  New York, NY:  Harcourt, Inc., 2006.  116p.
        ISBN 0-15-205389-1 hb. $16.00   Gr. 7-10   j811.54

        This story narrates Ludie’s life through a collection of short poems.  The book follows Ludie from her childhood 
home to her long life in West Virginia and chronicles her struggle to live a life she would not have chosen for herself, 
if she’d had the means to live better.  The poetry reveals Ludie’s joys and fears as her life in a mining community changes 
in beat to a modern world.  This story is well-written and would make an excellent addition to school and public libraries.
        Lynette Suckow, Youth Services, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI

Rylant, Cynthia.  BORIS.  New York:  NY:  Harcourt, Inc., 2005. 74p. ISBN 0-15-205809-5 pbk. $5.95    
               Gr. 6-9   j811.54

               This collection of poems takes the reader on a cat-lover’s adventure with Boris, a very special pet.  The narrator 
adopted Boris and his sister from the Humane Society and opened up her home to this mysterious, loveable cat who took 
over the house with no intent to apologize for his feline ways.  Readers will gain greater understanding of cats and their 
owners through this short, easy-to-read poetry.
        Lynette Suckow, Youth Services, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI

Salas, Laura. A FUZZY-FAST BLUR.  Mankato, Minnesota:  Capstone Press, 2009.
          32p. ISBN: 978-1-4296-1704-8 hb. $23.93     Gr. K-3     j811.6

          Photography and text are perfectly matched in this volume of poetry. A cuddly rabbit, sleepy felines, goldfish and guinea pigs are some of the popular pets pictured with appropriate poems. Add some yuck with drooling dogs and a hairy tarantula, then top it off with something to thrill kids who always seem to be fascinated by anything gross; in this instance, a two page spread of a snake dining on a mouse whose tail protrudes from the snake's mouth.  Apparently a last morsel to be devoured. "I'll make it easy, I'll open wide, I'll hope that you will slide inside.”  Can you hear the ooooohs? A section at the back of the book clearly describes five kinds of poetry and refers each to a poem which clearly demonstrates it. The description of a couplet, rhyme, rhythm and simile is an additional teaching tool, which makes this book a good addition to school and public libraries. 
          Barbara Ward, Children's Librarian, Dickinson County Library, Retired

Salas, Laura.  STAMPEDE! POEMS TO CELEBRATE THE WILD SIDE OF SCHOOL.
      Illus. by Steven Salerno.  New York: Clarion Books, 2009.  31p. ISBN: 978-0-618-91488-3
      hb. $16.00.     Gr. 3-5     NF 811.6

      A silly book of poetry for those first days at school or when moving to a new school. Kids will enjoy the humorous rhymes and be encouraged to invent their own. Pictures are colorful and as quirky as the poems. This book would be great for beginning of the year icebreakers or for "get the giggle & wiggles out" transitions during the day.
      Charlotte Dugas, Library Director, Munising School Public Library, Munising, MI

Spinelli, Eileen.  SONG FOR THE WHOOPING CRANE.  Illus by Elsa Warnick.
    Grand Rapids:  Eerdmans, 2000.  32p.  0-8028-5172-X; hb., $16.00     00-022937   j811.54

    The watercolor illustrations help readers understand the changing of the seasons as they relate to the whooping crane and significantly enhances the text.  Warnick has captured the whooping crane physically and spiritually while they engage in a variety of activities.  The poetry is simple but eloquent “In the far North/when October spills/across the ice/and the wind sweeps high/the wild whooping cranes fly.” .   During the course of the poem, readers learn what the cranes eat, the noise they make, what the baby looks like, their graceful dance, and their migration.   “Now they are one of the rarest birds in North America…” on the first page and “May it always be so” on the last page give it an ecological spin.  The total effect of text and illustration shares the magnificence of these birds.  This is an excellent example of a good science book for children.  Don’t miss this one.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

Yolen, Jane.  SNOW, SNOW: WINTER POEMS FOR CHILDREN.  Photos by Jason Stemple.  
          Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills, 1998.  32p. ISBN 1-56397-721-4 lib.bdg., $16.95  97-76914     
          Gr. 3-5     811.54

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811.08 AMERICAN POETRY, COLLECTIONS

     Whether this book is read sideways or in the traditional position, readers will be drawn into the poems and illustrations.  The realistic illustrations look like they incorporate photos and often encompass the poem and enhance it.  The senses of touch, taste, and sight are engaged.  Adoff, a winner of the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, lives up to his reputation and is aided immeasurable by Desimini.  This is a worthy  addition to poetry collections.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Baird, Audrey B.  A COLD SNAP:  FROST POEMS.  Illus. by Patrick O’Brien.  Honesdale, PA:  
    Wordsong/Boyds Mills, 2002.  32p. 1-56397-633-1 hb. $15.95    2001-099069   Gr. 1-6     811.54

    The 22 poems are enhanced by the expressive illustrations that are often part of the poetry but do not overwhelm the type.  The last illustration, about the polar bear that becomes part of a child’s quilt, is perfect for the one sentence poem, “Add It Up.”  A few of the poems are in rhyme but most are prose poems.  Teachers will appreciate this picture book for teaching about prose poetry or winter.  Others will simply enjoy it.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Bolin, Frances S, ed.  THE BLACKBIRCH TREASURY OF AMERICAN POETRY.
    Illus by Steven Arcella.  Woodbridge, CT:  Blackbirch, 2001.  288p.  1-56711-472-5; hb.,
    $34.95  Gr. 4-10   811.08

    This anthology is a compilation of six books previously published by Magnolia or Sterling.  According to OCLC’s Books in Print Online, the books listed on the verso of the title page are still in print from Sterling at $14.95 for 48 pages.  However, this compilation includes those six books and is about a third the price so it is a good value. Arcella illustrated the Sandburg book and Bolin edited the Sandburg and Dickinson books.  The other three books list editors and illustrators other than the two responsible for this edition. The six American poets included are: Emily Dickinson; Robert Frost; Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; Edgar Allan Poe; Carl Sandburg; and Walt Whitman.  The poets are arranged neither in alphabetical nor chronological order by poet.  However, the contents and index help readers find each poet and poem.  The book begins with a biography of each poet.  On the bottom of each page are brief notes about the poem or glossary of terms.  The illustrations add interest to the poems without annoying overlays.  If you need more poetry by these American classics, don’t hesitate to purchase this title.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Brown, Margaret Wise.  NIBBLE NIBBLE: POEMS FOR CHILDREN.  Illus by Leonard Weisgard.  
    New York:  HarperCollins, 1959.   0-06-027997-4; hb. $15.95    84-43128     Pres-Gr. 3     811.52

     If your copy of this classic book of 25 nature poems is tattered or missing, here is the opportunity to replace it.  The soft green illustrations still complement the poems and appeal to readers even though modern illustrations in other books are flashier.     "How Do You Know It's Spring?" is the perfect poem to read aloud when studying either the senses or seasons.  Have students close their eyes to smell and hear Spring and Fall.  "Song of Summer" is also a good read aloud when studying seasons.  Several more poems are appropriate for Fall.  Brown and Weisgard are a winning combination; then and now.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Brown, Marc.  SCARED SILLY!  A HALLOWEEN BOOK FOR THE BRAVE.
    Boston:  Little, 1994.  64p.  93-13501  0-316-10372-1; pb., 7.95   Gr. K-4   810.8

    Over thirty poems, riddles, jokes, stories, and games make Halloween even more fun than it is.  The cast of authors, besides Brown, is impressive:  Yolen, Nash, Viorst, Ciardi, Prelutsky, Livingston, Schwartz, and more.  Brown even includes the recipe for playing the well-known spooky game he calls "How to Scare Your Friends"  that includes blindfolding friends and have them touch eyeballs that are really peeled grapes and vomit that is really cooked oatmeal as well as 5 other items.  This book is a first purchase for Halloween collections and the paperback price makes it affordable for classrooms.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

 Clinton, Catherine., ed.  I TOO, SING AMERICA: THREE CENTURIES OF AFRICAN 
     AMERICAN POETRY.  Illus. by Stephen Alcorn.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin,
    1998.  128p.  0-395-89599-5; hb., $20.00    97-46137      Gr. 5+     712.2  or  811.08

     This poetry anthology of 35 poems by 25 African Americans (equally divided between men and women) has an added feature; biographies of the poets are included with a separate paragraph about their poetry.   Among the poets are Wheatley, Du Bois, Bontemps, Hughes, Walker, Brooks, Agnelou, Giovanni, Walker, and Dove.  At least three pages are devoted to each poem, one for the poem, one for the poet, and one full-page illustration.  In many cases, a divider page with a design on it keeps  the poets separate from each other.   This works in all but two cases.  For instance, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" is opposite the biography of Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Most people know that J. W. Johnson wrote the song and not Dunbar.  However, Lorde's "Rites of Passage" is not universally known and is opposite the biography of Amiri Baraka;  no poet is listed  for the poem so confusion could take place.  Nevertheless, this is a collection of noteworthy poets, three of whom are Pulitzer Prize winners and one who was poet laureate of the U.S.  This anthology provides balance to collections that are top heavy with poetry by Europeans and their American descendants.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

 Cotner, June, ed.  AMAZING GRACES: PRAYERS AND POEMS FOR CHILDREN. 
    New York: HarperCollins, 2001.   60p.  0-688-15566-9; hb., $12.95.   0-688-15567-7;
    lib.bdg., $12.89.  99-029158   PreS-Gr. 3    242.8

    Poems are divided into chapters for morning, mealtime, bedtime, and anytime.  The index, arranged by titles includes authors within the entry.  Poets come from a wide range of backgrounds and times:   L’Engle, Emerson, Farjeon, Browning, Nash, Cummings, Schweitzer, Merriam, Grimes, several unknown, and numerous lesser known poets are included.  Birth and death years are given for the poets.  Children are sprinkled throughout the book in the illustrations.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan

Cumming, Monica.  UNDER THE BREADFRUIT TREE: ISLAND POEMS.
    Illus. by Fabricio Vanden Broeck. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills, 1998.  48p.
    1-56397-539-4; hb., $15.95     91-91408   Gr. 2-5   811.220

    Black and white scratchboard illustrations accent 36 poems based on the poet's childhood experiences in Jamaica.  The poems are about family, friends, and daily activities in a rural setting of days past.   The poem about the storyteller is particularly poignant.    A glossary of unfamiliar terms at the beginning of the book helps readers to understand  the poems.  Jamaica is such a colorful place that it is unfortunate the illustrations couldn't be in color as Lessac's were in Gunning's NOT A COPPER PENNY IN ME HOUSE: POEMS FROM THE CARIBBEAN (Boyds Mills pb., 1999).  However, Broeck's illustrations are expressive and catch the essence of the poems.  Use these poems to show the universality of family and friendship in other times and other places or to teach characterization.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Cunningham, Julia. THE STABLE RAT AND OTHER CHRISTMAS POEMS. Illus. by Anita
    Lobel. New York: Greenwillow, 2001.  24p.   0-688-17799-9 hb. $15.95    Gr. 2-5     811.54

    Lobel's illustrations provide a wonderful background for Cunningham's nine Nativity poems.  Space was created within the illustrations so that the text is clealy visible.  However, the white space that appears vertically on both sides of the illustrations/poems looks like an attempt to keep the illustrations from falling into the gutters.  This makes the book less than an artistic masterpiece that could win a Caldecott Medal.  The book is still a pleasing holiday poem anthology worthy of being on public library shelves.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

Cyrus, Kurt.  ODDHOPPER OPERA: A BUG'S GARDEN OF VERSES.  New York:
    Harcourt, Inc., 2001.  30p.  ISBN: 0-15-202205-8 hb.  $16.00   Gr.K-3     811.54

    This book covers a whole season in a garden from the viewpoint of various bugs.  It begins "Once upon a garden rotten, twice forlorn and half forgotten…" and rhymes its way through the growing season.  The illustrations are extremely detailed, colorful, and all are done from the close-up lowdown level of a bug's eye.  Every reader will  never look on a garden again, as just being a collection of plants.  The verse is fun and there is further story detail to be followed within the illustrations themselves.  Kids will love the rhythm and the dirty, sometimes gory (from a bug's viewpoint) view of the garden at ground level.  This is a winner!
    Kay T. Elzinga, Superiorland Cooperative Board Member, Marquette, MI
 
Duggan, Paul.   TWO SKELETONS ON THE TELEPHONE AND OTHER POEMS
    FROM TOUGH CITY.  Illus by Davie Sylvestre. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook, 1992.  unp.
    0-7613-1451-2; $20.40    Gr. 4-8      811.54

    Caution!  Do not read these poems aloud to a group of children before reading them first. What appeals to kids in private is not necessarily what you want to read aloud, even at Halloween time.  The title poem  is one to read aloud to teenagers who have their ears glued to a phone.  Choose the others carefully.  Let the kids find this one to read to themselves.  These gross  Halloween poems will appeal to intermediate and middle school boys.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Eastwick, Ivy O.  I ASKED A TIGER TO TEA AND OTHER POEMS.
    Comp. by  Walter B. Barbe.  Illus by Melanie Hall.  Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills, 2002.
    32p.   1-56397-515-7; hb., $15.95    Gr. 2-6    2001-098539    811.54

    The twenty poems are divided into four topics: nonsense and humor; nature’s world; seasons and weather; and wishes, dreams, and fancy.  The book ends with parts of an article Eastwick wrote for Highlights for Children called “Becoming a Poet.”  The poems are a combination of prose and rhyming poems.  There is no list of sources for the poem but since the compiler is editor-in-chief of Highlights magazine, it may be assumed that the poems were gleaned from past issues.  Fans of the late poet will enjoy this new collection.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Field, Edward.  MAGIC WORDS.  Illus. by Stefano Vitale.  Photos by Ted Morrison.
    San Diego:  Gulliver/Harcourt, 1998. 32p.  0-15-201498-5, hb., $17.00   96-20465
    Gr. 3-9+    811.54    PAULIN'S PICKS citation.

     At the beginning of the book "A Note About the Poems," Field explains that this collection comes from the journals of Knud  Rasmussen;  a half Inuit, half Danish explorer, who traveled through Greeenland in the early 1900s.  The Inuit creation poems are illustrated with oil paintings on rock, wood, bark and natural elements for a perfect match of illustrations and text.  This book is a necessary addition wherever Inuits (Eskimos) are studied or where poetry and nature are appreciated.
     Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Fisher, Aileen.  I HEARD A BLUEBIRD SING: CHILDREN SELECT THEIR
    FAVORITE POEMS.  Edited by Bernice Cullinan.  Illus by Jennifer Emery.
    1-56397-191-7; hb., $18.95    2001-098609    Gr. K-7      811.54

    The 41 poems by the 1978 winner of the NCTE poetry award were chosen by children who were introduced to them by the teachers and librarians listed at the beginning of the book.  The book includes a black and white watercolor of the poet and excerpts from an article and interview in Highlights for Children magazine.  Illustrations are in shades of black and gray.  The poems are organized into five broad topics: family and friends; pets; clever creatures; wild ones; and weather and seasons.  Fisher’s poems are eminently child pleasing and work well with curriculum topics.  At the end of the book there is a bibliography of 26 anthologies by Fisher, a list of permissions, and a title/first line index.  Purchase for school and public libraries.   This Colorado poet was born in Iron River, Michigan.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Fleischman, Paul. BIG TALK: POEMS FOR FOUR VOICES.  Illus by Beppe Giacobbe.
    Cambridge, MA: Candlewick, 2000.  0-7636-0636-7; hb, $14.99.    811.54

    Readers who know Fleischman’s Newbery winner, A JOYFUL NOISE: A POEM IN TWO VOICES (Harper,1988 ), will love his new book which is for four voices.  In order to keep the parts straight, they are color coded in pale green, beige, mauve, and lavender.  The three poems are progressively more difficult.  Intermediate and middle school students will especially enjoy performing the middle poem, “Seventh Grade Soap Opera” which keeps listeners up to speed on the activities of classmates.  Buy this book in school and public libraries to help make poetry come alive.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MIt

Florian, Douglas.  BOW WOW MEOW MEOW; IT’S RHYMING CATS AND DOGS.
    San Diego: Harcourt, 2003.  48p. 0-15-216395-6; hb., $17.00    K-Gr. 3     811.54

    There are eleven poems about dogs and ten poems about cats in this picture book poetry anthology.  The cats include domestic and even bigger ones like leopards and panthers.  Florian is a master of humor and this book is up to his usual standards.  His watercolor illustrations on brown paper bags are child appealing.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan

 Florian, Douglas.  IN THE SWIM.  Illus by author.  San Diego:  Harcourt, 2000.  46p.
    0-15-201307-5; hb., $16.00. 0-15-202437-9; PB., $6.00.  99-10702.  Gr. 1-4.    811

    Libraries that do not contain the hardback, need to have this paperback edition.  The watercolor illustrations add to these 21 short humorous poems about creatures that live in the sea including catfish, manateees, clams, and Tetra. “The Sawfish,” is written in the shape of a saw.  Teachers at all levels will use these poems when fish or the ocean is studied.  Add this book to BEAST FEAST (H, 1994), ON THE WING (H, 1996), INSECTLOPEDIA (H, 1998), and  MAMALABILIA (H, 2000).
     Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Florian, Doughlas.  LAUGH-ETERIA.  Illus by the poet.  San Diego:  Harcourt, 1999.
    160p.   98-20047  0-15-202084-5; hb., $17.00   Gr. K-6    811.54

    Over 150 poems are illustrated with brush and black ink sketches that add to the humor of the poems.  One of the poems, "Good Humor," is typical of the total book: "The poems in this book are meant to be humorous./If they are not,/Please laugh just to humor us."  Most of the poems are excellent for reading aloud.  This is the best poetry anthology of the year.  Purchase for all school, public, and home libraries.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 49855

Florian, Douglas.  LIZARDS, FROGS, AND POLLIWOGS: POEMS AND PAINTINGS.  San Diego:  
    Harcourt, 2001.  48p.  99-50830     0-15-202591-X; hb., $16.00    Gr. K-6   811.54

    Florian's childlike watercolors complement his poems in this picture book.  The 21 poems are about creatures like Newts, Iguanas, Gila Monsters, Chameleons, Cobras, and Diamondback Rattlesnakes.  Some of the poems like "The Skink," "The Gecko," and "The Python," are concrete; all are enjoyable.  Use "The Red-Eyed Tree Frog"  to introduce Cowly’s THE RED-EYED TREE FROG (Scholastic, 1999) and "The Poison-Dart Frogs" to introduce Fridell’s THE SEARCH FOR THE POISON-DART FROGS (Watts, 2001.)  Teachers will love these humorous poems to add zest to science units.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 49855

Florian, Douglas.  MAMMALABILIA.  Illus by author.  San Diego:  Harcourt, 2000.
    46p.  0-15-202167-1; hb., $16.00.  99-10702.    Gr. 1-4.    811

    These 21 poems about animals range from aardvarks to tigers.  The illustrations have a child-like feel and one of the three concrete poems is “The Bactrian Camel” which is written in a wavy line with a double hump.  The shortness of the poems, from one line to twelve lines, makes these poems accessible to the youngest or most disinterested readers and listeners.  Many of the poems are humorous and the paintings add to the humor.  Florian always makes poetry fun and this book is no exception.  Place this book at the top of your poetry list in libraries of all types.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director; Superiorland Preview Center

Florian, Douglas.  OMNIBEASTS.  Illus. by author.  San Diego, CA:  Harcourt, Inc., 2004.
    96p.  015-20538-8 hb. $18.00   Gr. 2-6   811.54

    Readers of all ages will be taken with these funny short poems filled with animal facts.  Poetry in all shapes and sizes is accompanied by watercolor illustrations in rich hues.  Every classroom and library will want a copy of this unusual and entertaining poetry.
    Lynette Suckow, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI

George, Kristine O’Connell.  LITTLE DOG AND DUNCAN.  Illus by June Otani. New York: Clarion,
    2002.  40p.  0-618-11758-X; hb., $12.00  2001-028481     PreS-Gr. 3    811.54

    Duncan is a big dog and Little Dog is….little.  While his family is away, Duncan comes to stay with the smaller dog and a female preschooler with Asian eyes.  The watercolor illustrations show the two dogs and girl in a variety of situations, some are humorous and some are emotional.  The poems contain easy to read vocabulary enhanced by an 18-point font.  Although Little Dog welcomes his larger friend, he draws the line at sharing his mistress’ lap.  Fans of George’s LITTLE DOG POEMS (Clarion, 1999) will appreciate this book also.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

George, Kristine O’Connell.  SWIMMING UP STREAM: MIDDLE SCHOOL POEMS.
    Illus by Debbie Tilley.  New York: Clarion, 2002.  80p.   0-618-15250-4 hb., $14.00    Gr. 6-8    j811.54

    This is an essential middle school purchase!  Teachers should read the first eight poems aloud to students during the first week although it may take a few weeks before students can see the humor in the poems. The eighth poem includes a phrase from the title of the anthology.  The last poem, “The Last Day of School,“ can be read first and then the whole anthology can be read aloud at the end of the school year to show how much the students have grown during the past year.  Although the poems are written from the point of view of a middle school girl who survives and then makes sense of her middle school experience, those first poems are generic enough to be enjoyed by both males and females when read aloud.  In fact the narrator has a friend named Zach and a boyfriend named Ryan.  “Field Trip,” page 65 is about the beginning of her relationship with Ryan.  Media specialists will be inspired by “School Librarian,”  a poem on page 35.  George captures the essence of the middle school experience along with the ageless illustrations.   Highly recommended for Middle School and public libraries.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan

Goodwin, Laura.  BARNYARD PRAYERS.  Illus. by Brian Selznick.  New York:
    Hyperion, 2000.  30p.  0-7868-0355-X; hb., $14.99.   Gr. PreS-Gr.2    811 

    According to the beginning and ending illustrations, a city boy plays with his toy barn and farm animals.   The toys move the boy and animals into a fantasy setting to introduce the 17 prayer/poems.  The first poem, "The Pig's Prayer," assumes that the farm is an old fashioned one in which a farmer has time to scratch the head of his pig who lives in the mud.  A fox prays for "one fine fat hen."   The shortest prayers  by the mouse and the sparrow are even humorous.  Other animals include: spider, hen, cow, bee, colt, goat, gnat, gosling, duck, dog, cat, donkey, and sheep.  Because the boy is in bed with his toy animals at the end of the book, this title also functions as a quieting or bedtime story.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Greenberg, David T.  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO HUMPTY DUMPTY? AND OTHER SURPRISING 
    SEQUELS TO MOTHER GOOSE RHYMES.  Illus. by S. D. Schindler.  New York: Little, 1999.  unp.   
    0-316-32767-0; lib.bdg., $14.95.  97-14173.   Gr. 2-8+     811.54    or   398.8

    The original nursery rhyme is followed by verses explaining what happened to the characters after the familiar verse finished.  Although the rhymes are funny when read aloud, they are gross enough to tickle the fancy of junior high students who are writing their own fractured fairy tales.  For instance, when Humpty Dumpty was broken, his yoke was put into a blender with the top off and people are still cleaning him off a wall.  Nimble Jack caught fire in a flash and all that is left of him is ash; now he is buried in a box–jack-in-the-box.   The wolf who threatened this little piggy and his friends is now working on a chain gang pulverizing stones to be used for building wolf-resistant homes.  Peter the Pumpkin Eater's wife is tired of being stuck in melons and coconuts and turns the tables on Peter.   Paraphrasing the parodies for this review does not do them justice.  To appreciate these poems, you have to read them aloud but read them to yourself first because not all of them are appropriate for reading aloud to a whole class.  If you can stand one more fractured tale book, this one is better than most.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Greenberg, Jan.  HEART TO HEART: NEW POEMS INSPIRED BY TWENTIETH-CENTURY
    AMERICAN ART.  New York:  Abrams, 2001.  80p.  99-462335    Gr. 5-12+     811.608

    In the Introduction, Greenberg tells how a "group of distinguished American poets were invited to choose a twentieth-century American artwork and write a poem stimulated by it.  The result is spectacular.  Teachers can ask students to emulate this project.  This book is divided into four parts: Stories “includes poems that conjure a memory or tell an anecdote; Voices “contains poems in which the poet steps inside the artwork and assumes the voice of the object or person depicted there; Impressions “displays the poets' powers of description as they examine the elements of the artwork and offer vibrant word pictures based on what is contained there;" and Expressions "explores aspects of visual form that concern the nature of art and the artist."  There are a number of books that match poetry with famous works of art but they were matched from poetry that already existed, not inspired by the art.  Separate sections of biographical notes on poets and artists as well as an index conclude the book.  This book serves two purposes, to introduce art and poetry to young people.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 49855

Griffith, Linda Hill, ed.  BLESSINGS AND PRAYERS FOR LITTLE BEARS. Illus by L. Griffith.  
    New York:  HarperCollins, 2002. 32p.  0-06-623689-4; hb.$15.95.  00-054343   PreS-Gr. 1   242.82

    The thirteen short prayers are illustrated with full-page colorful illustrations that feature a bear family and create a “warm fuzzy” feeling.  Some of the prayers are unknown blessings, but some contain well known first lines:  “All things bright and beautiful,” “Thank you for the world so sweet,”  and “He prayeth best, who loveth best,” and “Now I lay me down to sleep.”  The latter has been changed so that the third line and fourth lines are not “If I should die before I wake,/ I pray the Lord my soul to take” to the less frightening “Thy love be with me through the night,/And keep me safe till morning light.”  Six of the prayers are by unknown authors while some are by people of stature such as Emerson and Coleridge.  This will make a handsome gift as well as be suitable for public library collections.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

 Grimes, Nikki.  IS IT FAR TO ZANZIBAR?  POEMS ABOUT TANZANIA.
    Illus. by Betsy Lewin.  New York: Lothrop, 2000.  unp.  0-688-13157-3; hb., $15.95
    0-688-13158-1, lib.bdg., $15.89   96-2335     Gr. 3-8+    811.54

     How can you learn about an African country through poetry and charming watercolor illustrations and enjoy it?  Only Nikki Grimes could pull it off.  Readers learn more about Tanzania  from the thirteen poems and illustrations than any series book on the country.   All of the words in the vocabulary list, except one, are Swahili and appear in a glossary at the end of the book.  The phonetic spelling is especially helpful.  A map showing the Zanzibar Islands off the coast of Tanzania finishes this outstanding book.  Purchase it for geography and literature classes and for pleasure reading.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

 Harley, Avis.  FLY WITH POETRY: AN ABC OF POETRY.  Illus. by the author.
     Honesdale, PS:  Boyds Mills, 2000.   48p.  1-56397-798-2; pb., $13.95   99-63733 Gr. 2+
     
     Examples of the vocabulary of poetry for each letter of the alphabet begin with acrostic, black verse, and cinquain.  Most of the examples are common like limerick, sonnet, haiku, free verse, internal rhyme, and metaphor.   Others include xcogito, a poem containing experimental rhymes, and Zoophabet, a poem in which each line begins with a creature from each letter of the alphabet.   Your poem, is a section where readers can write their own poems.  The poems, about creatures in nature, are better than the illustrations. This paperback can be purchased by schools for the library or for the classroom so teachers can use it to introduce poetry.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Hawkes, Kevin, illus.  A CHRISTMAS TREASURY: VERY MERRY STORIES AND POEMS.
    New York:  Harper, 2001.  48p.  99-048761  0-688-12039-3;hb., $16.00.  Gr. K-4+    820.8

    Five classics make this collection an excellent Christmas read-aloud:  two carols, a poem, a short story, and an excerpt from a classic book.  Selections include:  Chapter 5 of Grahame's THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, Paine's "Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn."  two carols "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" and "The Friendly Beasts," and the Moore's poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas."
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 49855

High, Linda Oatman.  A HUMBLE LIFE: PLAIN  POEMS.  Illus by Bill Farnsworth.
    Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.  40p.  0-8026-5207-6; hb., $17.00   Gr. 2-7   811.54

    The 17 poems are about the Amish and Mennonite communities in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.  All of them, especially "Barn Raising Day," can be used with Yolen's RAISING YODER'S BARN (Little, 1998).  Some of the poems like "Come Spring," "Muggy Summer Nights," "Thanksgiving Dinner," "Pumpkins and Mums." and "When the Pond Freezes Solid" can be read aloud during the appropriate seasons with no connection to the plain people.  The muted oil paintings are a perfect complement for the text.  This poetry book adds diversity to poetry collections.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 49855

Hines, Anna Grossnickle Hines.  PIECES:  A YEAR IN POEMS & QUILTS.
    Illus by the poet.  New York:  Greenwillow/Harper, 2001.  32p.  0-688-16963-5; hb.,
    $15.95    0-688-16964-3; lib. Bdg., $15.89    99-086463   811.54

    This book is literally a work of art; a quilting work of art.  Hines’ twenty poems are accompanied by original quilt illustrations made especially for the poems.  At the end of the book there is “The Story Behind the Quilts” which explains why and how the quilts were made and the color photos and diagrams of the steps enhance that explanation.  A selected bibliography and web site follow this note.  These poems cry to be read aloud.  Teachers from elementary to high school can use the poems when seasons or the craft of poetry are being taught.  The quilts significantly add to the charm of this book that appeals to an older audience. This is a first purchase for all libraries serving students from elementary through college age.  Public librarians should show this book to quilters.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Hoberman, Mary Ann.  FATHERS, MOTHERS, SISTERS, BROTHERS:
    A COLLECTION OF FAMILY POEMS.  Illus. by Marylin Hafner.  Boston:
    Little, 1991.  32p.  90-43222    0-316-36251-4; pb., $5.95  Gr. K-5  811.54

    This Reading Rainbow Book has been reissued in paperback.  Take this opportunity to replace worn or lost copies or add a new or additional copy.  The paperback is welcome because other editions are out of print.  There are poems for every member of the family: grandparents, siblings, parents, cousins, and other relatives.  The 26 poems are up to Hoberman's high standards and the illustrations enhance the text.  Purchase for school, public, and home libraries.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 49855

 Hoberman, Mary Ann.  THE COZY BOOK.  Illus. by Betty Fraser.  San Diego: Harcourt, 1995.  
     48p.   0-15-276620-0; $16.00  0-15-201956-1;  pb., $6.00    95-10826     PreS-Gr. 2

     Numerous gouache and watercolor illustrations appear amidst Hoberman's poems to depict senses and feelings, people and places.  Some cozy things include: food;  games; smells; sounds; words; places; people; feelings; activities; items; and finally, a bedtime book followed by dreams. The poems can be read aloud just for fun or for teaching concepts. Purchase the hardcover edition for school or public libraries and paperbacks for personal and classroom collections.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Hoberman, Mary Ann.  YOU READ TO ME, I'LL READ TO YOU:  VERY SHORT
    STORIES TO READ TOGETHER.  Illus by Michael Emberley.  Boston:  Little, 2001.
    32p.   00-035230   0-316-25240-2; hb., $15.95.   Gr K-8+  . 811.54

    The message in this book is clearly stated in the repeated refrain, "You read to me.  I'll read to you."  According to the front blurb, "A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Lieteracy Volunteers of America."   According to the Author's Note, the book's format and purpose was inspired by Hoberman's work with the LCA.  The text colors (blue, purple, and red) help readers to decide who reads what.  There are colors for reader one and two and then together.  The introductory poem provides the ground rules.  Although it is not spelled out in plain words, the blue is to be read together, and  purple and red are to be read alternately by the two readers.  Since the purpose is for beginning readers, either adults or children, to read alternately and together, these directions are not easy to follow.  However; if the books are introduced by a Literacy Volunteer or librarian, they can explain the directions.  Teachers and librarians can feature these books during "Book Holidays" like Children's Book Week, Literacy Day, National Library Week, and Children's Poetry Week.
    The illustrations, done in ballpoint pen, watercolor, and dry pastel; show animals in humorous situations that involve reading books and these illustrations add to the humor in the poems.  Shelve this book next to Paul Fleischman’s JOYFUL NOISE: POEMS IN TWO VOICES and I AM PHOENIX: POEMS FOR TWO VOICES.  (Both Harper)
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

Hopkins, Lee Bennett (editor). AMERICA AT WAR. Illus.by Stephen Alcorn.  New York:
          Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2008. 84p. ISBN: 978-1-4169-1832-5 hb. $21.99.
          Gr. 6-12    j811.008

          The 50 war poems featured were authored by writers such as Langston Hughes, Carl Sandburg, Walt Whiteman, e.e. cummings, and contemporary authors, less well known--some of them soldiers themselves. The book is divided into eight sections--each naming a war, from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq War.  Each section has a brief explanation of historical content which includes the grim numbers of dead and wounded. The poems deal with the grief of separation and loss written from varying perspectives: sometimes the soldier's, sometimes a lonely and fearful sibling at home.  The poetry is straightforward in describing the horrors of war. The illustrations add immensely to the emotional impact of the poems. This book is a counter-balance to those that laud the glory of battle.
          Judy Bennett, Clerk, Ironwood Carnegie Library, Ironwood, MI

Hopkins, Lee Bennett, ed.  HOME TO ME: POEMS ACROSS AMERICA. Illus. by Stephen Alcorn.
    New York: Orchard/Scholastic, 2002.  32p.  2001-036975     Gr. 3-9+      811.008

    The fifteen poems by fifteen contemporary poets commissioned by the editor, represent different places people call home like on the prairie, at the seaside, on an island or mountain, in the desert, on farms, and a in a city.  The poems represent a variety of styles but the theme is the same--America is a vast country and citizens live in a variety of places that they call home.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan

Hopkins, Lee Bennett, ed.  HOOFBEATS, CLAWS & RIPPLED FINS: CREATURE
    POEMS.  Illus by Stephen Alcorn.  New York: Harper, 2002.  32p. 0-688-17942-8; hb.,
    $15.95  0-688-17943-6; lib.bdg., $15.89  2001-024018    Gr. 3-7+     811.008

    The fourteen poems include creatures like rooster, camel, anteater, buffalo, and owl.  The poems contain a variety of type sizes and styles against a solid colored background.  The illustration opposite the poem looks like an old fashioned etching except that the backgrounds are lavender, maroon, green, which provide a striking contrast.  Five of the illustrations cover parts of two pages and some of the illustrations are mismatched at the gutter.  Although this does not ruin the illustrations, it does mar their chances of winning an award.  Poems about the fish, porcupine, and the iguana are concrete.  The white type for the fish poem is on a light Wedgwood blue background and is not easy to read.  The poem about the owl, also using white print, is against a rose-pink background but is easier to see.  Most of the text is in black type and very readable.  The unusual illustrations add interest to the poems, making this an interesting choice for poetry collections for intermediate and middle school students.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

Hopkins, Lee Bennett, ed.  MY AMERICA: A POETRY ATLAS OF THE UNITED
    STATES.  Illus by Stephen Alcorn.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.  83p.
    0-689-81247-7; hb.,  $19.95  98-47402   Gr. 3-8     811.008

    The poems are from 20 contemporary poets and 20 favorites like Joaquin Miller, Langston Hughes, and Carl Sandburg. The three indexes are poet, title, and first lines.  The poems are arranged by section, beginning with The Northeast States and ending with the Pacific Coast States.  Each section begins with a map and facts about the states within the region even if there is not a poem for each state.  Intermediate teachers who need poems to complement the study of states or high school American literature teachers will appreciate having these poems to share.  Purchase this valuable anthology for school and public libraries.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Hughes, Ted.  THE CAT AND THE CUCKOO.  Illus by Flora McDonnell.  Brookfield,  CT:
    Roaring Book, 2002, 2003.  64p.  0-7613-1548-9; hb., $15.95    0-7613-1548-9; lib.bdg.,
    $22.90    2001-038196     Gr. 1-4     821.9

    Black, white, and gray illustrations accompany this small-sized poetry book of 28 poems about animals, insects, and birds.  The poems are more sophisticated than the usual fare for children.  The British nature of the farm animals and the lack of color make this a less appealing poetry book than others written for Americans.  The late world-renowned poet was the founding president of Farms for City Children, a British charity that brings urban children to farms.  The book is dedicated to these children and the poems have a British flavor.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan

Kennedy, X. J.  EXPLORDING GRAVY: POEMS TO MAKE YOU LAUGH. Illus by Joy Allen.  
    New York: Little, 2002.  117p.   0-316-38423-2; hb., $16.95   2001-029282   PreS-Gr. 3-5+   811.54

    What a bargain: 87 hilarious poems in one package!   Even if the poems were not funny, may of the subjects are appealing to kids: dragons, dinosaurs, outer space creatures, roller-coasters, sports, and a variety of animals.  “Italian Noodles: is especially noteworthy because it contains rhymes that are not only enjoyed by the ear but are enjoyed by the eye because ravioli rhymes with sloli. Other rhymes include spaghetti/rhetti, ziti/priti, lasagna/was on ya, and pasta/fasta.  The title poem is a good representative of the contents.  This book will explode off the shelves.
This is a first purchase for school and public libraries, even the smallest.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Kiesler, Kate, ed.  WINGS ON THE WIND:  BIRD POEMS.  Illus by K. Kiesler.
    New  York:  Clarion, 2002.  40p.  0-618-13333-X; hb., $14.00.   Gr. 2-6    811.008

    The 23 poems about birds are from a variety of poets.  This book will be popular with science teachers who want to integrate poetry into their bird units of study.  School and public libraries should purchase this title.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

 Knowlton, Laurie Lazzaro.  GOD BE IN MY HEART!  POEMS AND PRAYERS
    FOR CHILDREN.  Illus. by the author.  Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills, 1999.  32p.
    1-56397-646-3.,   $9.95      98-71793    PreS-Gr. 3         291.4

     Fabric collages of amateur quality  illustrate 11 short prayers by Knowlton, unknown poets, Psalms and The French Book of Hours.  Knowlton's peace poem is especially good: Dear Lord./Tonight/I pray for peace with all my might/That kids across the world unite/and teach our parents not to fight."   This collection would be more suitable for public libraries than public school libraries.  Purchase as needed.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Kuskin, Karla,  MOON, HAVE YOU MET MY MOTHER? THE COLLECTED  POEMS
    OF KARLA KUSKIN.  Illus by Sergio Ruzzier.  New York:  Geringer/Harper, 2003.  240p.
    0-06-027174-4; lib.bdg., $17.89   Gr. 1-5     811.54

    Poems from almost 20 collections and some that are unpublished, appear in this comprehensive anthology by a poet recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English.   The poems are extremely child appealing and many are humorous.  The whimsical line drawings do not encroach upon the abundant white space that showcases the poems.  There is a list of sources and a title index.  This anthology will be a classic and should be an essential purchase for school and public libraries.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth.  THE CHILDREN’S OWN LONGFELLOW.  Boston:
    Houghton Mifflin, 2001.  96p.  0-618-11853-5; hb.,  $16.00     618-11854-3;   Gr. 4+     811

    First published in 1908, this collection of eight favorite poems by Longfellow is illustrated with eight plates by some of the best-known artists of the late nineteenth century.”  Although this book would be useful for studying art of that century, the names of the artists are not given.  The poems are all included in other anthologies owned by libraries.  Two are not included in their entirety, only the first part o“Evangeline” and two sections of  “The Song of Hiawatha” are included.  Neither Hiawatha section includes the oft quoted “On the shores of Gitchie Gumee,” although ”Hiawatha’s Fishing” is a paraphrase of that famous opening.  “Paul Revere’s Ride” is available in separate appealing picture books that appeal to kids and even “The Village Blacksmith” appears with more inviting illustrations in other anthologies.  The layout of the poems is monotonous and not appealing to modern kids.   The Publisher’s Note says that “Longfellow has been fitly called the children’s poet,” but this is not a book that would appeal to the intended audience.  This book would be suitable for university collections or large public libraries but those libraries probably own anthologies of Longfellow’s poems.  Kids in the nineteenth century might have enjoyed this book, but kids in the twentieth century will not even give it a second glance and with small school and public library budgets so strapped, unfortunately, neither, will collection developers.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Okutoro, Lydia Omolola, ed.  QUIET STORM: VOICES OF YOUNG BLACK POETS. New York:
    Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 1999.  102p.  0-7868-0461-0; hb., $16.99   Gr. 6-12.     811.008

     The 61 poems in this collection are written by black students who are under the age of 20 and reflect their thoughts on subject areas from all over the world. The book is arranged by eight topics starting with poems about black pride, moving on to poems about self and spirit to poems about hopes and dreams of a brighter future.  The poetry is very refreshing, moving, and very understandable.  There is nothing objectionable in the language used which makes this book especially useful in the middle school.  Highly recommended!
    Barbara Berry, Media Specialist, Kalkaska Middle School, Kalkaska, MI

Philip, Neil, ed.  THE FISH IS ME: BATHTIME RHYMES.  Illus by Claire Henley,
    New York: Clarion, 2002.  24p.    2001-042094     PreS     811.008

    The eighteen poems selected by Philip are all about bath time and are all by different poets except for two by the compiler, Douglas Florian, Dorothy Aldis, Carl Sandburg, Aileen Fisher, and others. The collection is age appropriate and the individual poems are charming.  This makes an excellent book for personal giving as well as public libraries of all sizes.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan

Prelutsky, Jack.  AWFUL OGRE’S AWFUL DAY.  Illus by Paul O. Zelinsky.
    New  York:  Greenwillow, 2001.  40p. 0-688-07778-1; hb., $15.95
    0-688-07779-X;  lib.bdg., $15.98.    99-054232     Gr. 2-6+    811.54

    All of the 18 poems are told in the first person by an ogre.  The poems are suitably grotesque; for example, in the first poem the ogre wakes up to his buzzard, tarantula, and piranha.  Spending the day with an ogre may convince intermediate and middle school students that poetry can be fun.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Prelutsky, Jack.  IT’S RAINING PIGS & NOODLES.  Illus by James Stevenson.
    New York:  Greenwillow, 2000.  159p.  0-06-029194-X; hb., $17.95
    0-06-0291958;  lib.bdg., $17.89  00-024707  Gr. K-6    811.54

    Two professionals at the top of their craft combine to make a poetry anthology that should be purchased by libraries of various types and sizes.  Stevenson’s humorous line drawings are the perfect complement to the humorous poems by Prelutsky.  The title poem is the first of over a hundred crowd pleasers.  The poems should be read aloud and can be used to introduce fiction and nonfiction.  For example, “Burp” could be used to introduce Swanson’s BURP! (Kids Can).  Some of the poems are concrete like “I Am Stuck Inside a Seashell.”  Some are good for holidays, like “The Time Has Come” which is about a pumpkin that is starting to smell like sauerkraut.  Some can be read for no reason at all except to entertain.  Enjoy!
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Prelutsky, Jack.  THE GARGOYLE ON THE ROOF.  Illus. by Peter Sis.  New York:
    Greenwillow, 1999.  40p.  0-688-09643-3; hb., $16.00    0-688-16553-2; lib.bdg,
    $15.93    99-10578     Gr. 3-6+    811.54

    These seventeen poems can be read aloud any time of the year but especially for Halloween. The rhymes are pure Pelutsky and are very clever.  In "The Lament of a lonely Troll," he can be reached at his troll-free number.  "My Sister is a Werewolf" is a great poem to read aloud to middle students who are afraid of being "different."  The lament in that poem is that they wishe she were a vampire like the rest of her loving family.  In "A Vampire Speaks of Circuses," the narrator likes the ACRO-BATS who are literally flying bats.   The oil and gouache illustrations are the perfect complement for these poems; poignant but not too scary.  School and public libraries won't want to miss this poetry anthology.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Prelutsky, Jack.   SCRANIMALS.  Illus by Peter Sis.  New York:  Greenwillow/Harper,  2002. 40p.
    0-688-17819-7 hb. $16.99;  0-688-17820-0 lib.bdg. $17.89    K-Gr.3    811.54     PAULIN’S PICKS

    Nineteen poems are about combinations of animals and fruit and vegetables flowers or other animals like a potatoad, hippopotamushrooms, porcupine apple, toucanemones, ostricheetah and more.  Sis’s illustrations bring the words and beasts to life.   The combined creatures are reminiscent of the FORKupines and FLYons in Skutch’s  ALBIE’S TRIP TO THE JUMBLE JUNGLE.  (Tricycle, 2001).  Use the books together to inspire readers to create animals of their own.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan

Rochelle, Belinda,, ed.  WORDS WITH WINGS: A TREASURY OF AFRICAN-
    AMERICAN POETRY AND ART.  Illus by many African-American artists.
    0-688-1641-3; hb., $16.95.   00-26864   Gr. 4+       811.008

    The twenty poems are accompanied by art from 20 artists to create a range of African-American experiences.  The poems and art represent a gamut of styles, times, and places.  The poets are more familiar than the artists and inclue Lucile Clifton, Countee Cullen, Gwendolyn Brooks, Alice Walker, Rita Dove, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni Maya Angelou and more.  Some poets are represented more than once and Jacob Lawrence is an artist who has two illustrations.  The poems and illustrations are bold and colorful and the total layout of the book is spectacular.  There is a paragraph about each of the poets and artists at the end of the book to make it even more valuable.  This book brings welcomed diversity to poetry collections.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Rogasky, Barbara, ed.  LEAF BY LEAF: AUTUMN POEMS.  Photos by Marc Tauss.
    New York: Scholastic Press, 2001.  40p.  0-590-25347-6 $15.95.     Gr. 3-8+     811.008

    Twenty-five short poems, or parts of poems, are accompanied by expressive photographs.  Most of the poems are by famous poets like Shelley, Browning, Jarrell, Jeffers, Hopkins, Yeats, Lowell, Whitman, and Poe.Although the poets are recognized, the selections are not easily found in other anthologies.  All the poems are against a photographic background so that in many instances, it is difficult to read the poems.  Artistically, it looks better to have the text against the photos rather than providing a blank background.  However, having a patterned background detracts from the poems and readers ability to read them.  This is still a handsome book that offers a variety of autumn poems.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

 Sendak, Maurice.  HECTOR PROTECTOR AND AS I WENT OVER THE WATER:
    TWO NURSERY RHYMES WITH PICTURES.  Illus by M. Sendak.  New York:
    Harper, 1965, 1993.  56p.  65-8256  0-06-028643-1; lib.bdg., $14.89  Gr. K-2

    Sendak's crosshatch illustrations, touched with watercolors, have been part of these rhymes for almost four decades.  This reissue by the Caldecott, Wilder, and Hans Christian Anderson Medal winner adds depth to the text.  Purchase to replace lost or worn copies.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

 Shertle, Alice. I AM THE CAT.  Illus. by Mark Buehner.  New York: Lothrop, 1999.
    0-688-13153-0 hb.$16.00; 0-688-13154-9 lib.bdg. $16.00     Gr. K-4+   811.54

    Cat lovers will appreciate these poems.  The first is a story-poem which tells how cats lost their wings.  During holidays that celebrate books, this book could be opened to the short poem and illustration of a cat with her paw in the book: "Paw by paw she steps/delicately onto the/book I am reading."   "Sophie, Who Taunted the Dogs" is a gruesome cautionary tale. The double page spread of the cat with a satisfied look on her face could be shared with classes studying Egyptian history. "Her amber eyes tell/me that temples were built...once.../to honor the cat."  There is variety in the poems and illustrations.  According to the introduction, Buehner has placed a hidden animal in each illustration but there is no key for them because they are obvious.  You don't have to like cats to appreciate this book but cat lovers will adore it.  Schools will want to purchase the book for the Egyptian poem.  Shertle's book is a good choice for public libraries because it will be enjoyed by cat lovers of all ages and because it is an engaging picture book.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Sidman, Joyce.  EUREKA!  POEMS ABOUT INVENTORS.  Illus by K. Bennett
    Chavez.  48p.  Brookfield, CT:  Millbrook, 2002. 48p.  0-77613-1665-5; lib.bdg.,
    $24.90   2002p.  00-056620    Gr. 4-9       811.54

    This unique poetry anthology is divided into four sections: the past, age of invention, a light interlude, and dawn of the modern age.  The prose poems begin with prehistory and the discovery of clay, Gutenberg and the invention of printing, inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, ending with the 20th century and Barbara McClintock, Nobel prize winning scientist, and Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web.  A sentence about each inventor appears after the title of the poem and a one-inch biography for the inventors appears at the end of each section.  Some more intriguing inventions are the chocolate bar, dishwasher, bra, and Velcro.  The Real McCoy’s self-lubricated engine is only one invention accredited to this African-American.  There is no index but the people and page numbers are listed in the table of contents.  An index would have facilitated use for the fourteen major inventors and those listed in the "light interlude" section that includes people who have had inventions named after them.  Because there is no index, it would have been better to have the brief biographies listed in alphabetical order at the end of the book.  Even with this flaw, this is a unique book.  Purchase this title for student browsing and for teacher sharing in science classes.  The book can be used as patterns for writing prose poetry about other inventors or other famous people.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Sierra, Judy.  THERE’S A ZOO IN ROOOM 22.  Illus by Barney Saltzberg.  San Diego:
    Gulliver/Harcourt, 2000.  40p.  0-15-202033-0; hb., $16.00    99-6708    811.54   or   E

    Watercolors and colored pencil illustrations add to the humor of this alphabetically arranged picture book which tells about pets in the classroom from Amanda Anaconda and Boring Beetle Bill through Xenia the X-ray fish, and Yorick the Yak.  Sierra asks readers to help name a better pet that starts with Z than the zorilla; a skunk.  The rhymes are zany and fun for children.   Read this one aloud!
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Silverstein, She.  A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC.  New York:  Harper,1981.  176p.
    0-06-623617-7; hb., $22.95.  Book and CD  20th Anniversary Edition.
    Sony Music, 2001.  Performed by Shel Silverstein.   Gr. 3+    811.54

    Shel Silverstein may be gone but he will never be forgotten.  This 20th anniversary edition comes with a CD that contains eleven poems, including the title poem, read by the poet.  Since this a frequently stolen book, replace it with this combination book and CD or add another copy because this title is always in demand.  Silverstein's own reading of poems is frosting on the cake.  The sound effects add much to the poems, especially in "Eight Balloons."  It is effective to follow along by reading the poems while listening.  However, listeners should be aware that Silverstein does not read word for word.  In the poem, "Prehistoric" this does not detract from the poem.  Not every adult is going to appreciate all of the poems, like "Clarence" which Silverstein reads on the CD.  Clarence, who believed everything he saw on TV, purchased a new set of parents and sold the old ones at a garage sale.  This is a sarcastic view of TV, not a prescription for getting rid of parents.  Despite misinterpretations, the book is one of the best poetry books on the market for students.  Purchase, even if you already own one copy.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 

Spires, Elizabeth.  RIDDLE ROAD: PUZZLES IN POEMS AND PICTURES.
    Illus by Erik Blegvad.  New York:  McElderry/S&S, 1999. 26p.  0-689-81783-5; hb.,
    $15.00.    97-36592     K-Gr.4   811.54     or     793.7

    Blegvad's watercolors enhance 26 original riddle poems.  The answers are given upside down on the same page.  Most of the answers are everyday items like a road, star, and bell but there are others like a seahorse, baby teeth, bookworm, and a pincushion.  There are often hints in the poems. The alarm clock includes   "It's alarming how loud I can be!"  The hint for the eye is: "I eyeball everything."  The skeleton make[s] no bones about it."    The same winning combination of author and illustrator as in WITH ONE WHITE WING: PUZZLES IN POEMS AND PICTURES.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

 Stevenson, James.  CANDY CORN: POEMS BY JAMES STEVENSON. Illus. by author.
    New York:  Greenwillow, 1999. 55p.  0-688-15837-4 hb. $15.00     Gr. 2-6+   j811.54

    Stevenson always packs a lot of punch into his small poetry books.  His title poem can be used to teach similes because he sees dragon teeth instead of lingering candy corn on the sidewalk the morning after Halloween. Even if you aren't studying similes, read this one Nov. 1.   "Night," pages 54-55, should be read aloud to school bus drivers.  After hearing four voices talk about their day with the kids, one assumes  they are mothers until readers see the pictures of the buses on the next page as they say good night by bus number to each other.  The 24 poems are different in style,  illustration, and typesetting, but similar in their poignancy.  Buy as many of Stevenson's books as you can, they never disappoint. This title is Stevenson at his best; don't miss it.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Stevenson, James.  CORN-FED: POEMS.  Illus by author.  New York:  Greenwillow/Harper,
    2002. 48p.  0-06-000597-1 hb. $15.95;   0-06-000598-X lib.bdg. $15.89;   Gr. 3+   811.54

    There is an advantage to being the poet as well as the illustrator.  Stevenson combines the text and illustrations so readers depend on the illustrations to understand and fully enjoy the poems.  In "Why Bicycles Are Locked Up,"  the title and illustrations provide the punch line to a poem about bikes that might escape after being free. The poem, "Aquarium," is about fish that look different as opposed to people who look alike. There are 23 different looking fish in Stevenson's signature watercolor illustrations.  "Point of View" takes two sides of a catsup bottle and much of the enjoyment of the poem depends on the illustrations.  "Larry's" also depends on the illustrations for understanding as Stevenson compares cars to hippos, buffalo, and sheep when covered with snow.  Two of the poems are concrete.   "Aloe" is about a plant that dreams of being an octopus and the text curls around the aloe spears.  "The Mall" might look better stacked so the picture of the mall and the words are stacked.  The 25 poems are on a variety of topics: point of view, cherry picker, recipe, planetarium, dawn, opossum, and zoo.  As usual the type style and color match the poems and provide variety in the book design.  All of Stevenson's poetry books are lively, imaginative, and popular.  This title is even better than the last ones.  Purchase for libraries of all sizes and types.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Stevenson, James.  JUST AROUND THE CORNER.  Illus by J. Stevenson. New York: Greenwillow,
    2001.  56p.  0-688-17303-9 hb. $14.95    0-06-029189-3 lib.bdg. $14.89.      Gr. 2-4    811.54

    The twenty-six poems are on familiar subjects like umbrellas, shoes, a fan, a tow truck, and a windowsill.  The whimsical illustrations are a perfect accompaniment for the poems.  The variety of typeface and concrete nature of some of the poems adds flavor to the poems.  You can't have too many of Stevenson's popular collections of humorous poems and drawings.   Place this beside copies of Stevenson’s CANDY CORN: POEMS (Greenwillow, 1999) in school and public libraries.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Swinburne, Stephen.  BOXING RABBITS, BELLOWING ALLIGATORS:  COURTSHIP
    POEMS FROM THE ANIMAL WORLD.  Brookfield, CT:  Millbrook, 2002.  32p.
    0-7613-2556-5; lib.bdg., $23.90   2001-006485    Gr. 2-6     591.56

    A dozen animals are introduced to children through a patterned poem that includes the words “How do you meet a mate?”  Photos accompany the prose poems that explain how bowerbirds, lizards, bullfrogs, peacocks, alligators, rabbits, stickleback fish, frigatebirds, hippos, fireflies, fiddler crabs, and whooping cranes attract their mates.  For example, the peacock preens and shows his magnificent tail to get attention.  A small photo at the end of the book accompanies additional facts about each animal.  The photos, while not distinguished, are adequate.  The subject of the book makes this book ideal for browsing.  There is no index and the animals do not appear in alphabetical order, but the table of contents has large enough print to see the names of the animals and the page numbers.  This unusual animal book is worthy of consideration.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Thomas, Joyce Carol.  CROWNING GLORY: HAIR, A GIFT WRAPPED
    RIBBONED CURLED TIED.  Illus by Brenda Joysmith.  New York: Cotler/
    Harper, 2002. 32p. 0-06-023474-1; hb., $15.95   96-26690   PreS-Gr. 4   811.54

    The fourteen poems in this book are all about hair, a tribute to the author’s mother, a beautician.  Each poem appears clearly against a variety of solid colored backgrounds with full-page illustrations opposite.  The African-American women in the illustrations are of all ages and the hairstyles are varied; dreadlocked, braided, curled, natural, adorned with beads, or covered with scarves (art), wigs, or hats.  The book is as valuable for the popular culture as it is for the poetry.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

 Willard, Nancy, ed.  STEP LIGHTLY: POEMS FOR THE JOURNEY.  New York: Harcourt,  
    1998.  99p.   0-15-201849-2 hb. $18.00;  0-15-202052-7 pb. $12.00;     Gr.  7-12    811.008

    Willard has collected poems from newspapers, magazines and books in shoe boxes over the years that she felt celebrated the ordinary in an unordinary way.  Willard has organized the poetry loosely by starting in the morning with a poem by Emily Dickinson titled "Will there reallly be a ‘Morning'?"   She works through the day ending with Denise Levertov's "Writing in the Dark."  Some of the poets are well known while others are just starting out.  Some of the poems are quite complex while many others will appeal to younger students doing poetry reports.  Suitable for junior andsenior high school collections.
    Barbara Berry,  Media Specialist, Kalkaska Middle School, Kalkaska, MI

Wilbur, Richard.  THE PIG IN THE SPIGOT.  Illus by J. Otto Seibold.  San Diego:
    Harcourt, 2000.  48p.  99-6296  0-15-202019-5; hb., $16.00    Gr. 3-6     811.54

    The almost 30 rhymes in this book each include word plays.  One of the two words in italics is found within the other; i.e. "Because a chicken is a hick at heart" or "A throne, friends, is a seat reserved for one."  Sometimes the words rhyme and sometimes they do not.  Gifted students will appreciate the poems and can use them as patterns for thinking of similar phrases that contain "words within words."  The computer-generated illustrations are bright and surreal.  Most of the illustrations are opposite the poem; a few are integrated into the pages within the text.  Sometimes the background color is the same for both pages.  When the short poem is opposite the picture in a different color, it is less successful.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 49855

Writerscorp.  PAINT ME LIKE I AM:  TEEN POEMS FROM WRITERSCORPS.
     Intro by Nikki by Giovanni.  New York: HarperTempest, 2003.  128p.  0-06-029288-1;
    lib.bdg., $16.89  0-06-447264-7; pb., $6.99     2002-005942    Gr. 9-12      811.6

    The Foreword to this poetry anthology is a poem by Nikki Giovanni who has long been associated with Writers Corps, a national nonprofit organization that helps young people to find their voices through writing.  The poems in this book are written by at risk teens in San Francisco, the Bronx, New York, and Washington, D. C. who have been part of this program.  Besides the poems there is a history of the Writers Corps and a brief essay by Kevin Powell, “Why I Write Poetry.”  Powell is a poet, journalist, essayist, activist, public speaker, and author of five books.  The poems can inspire teens to create their own poetry or appreciate poetry written by peers.  The poems are divided into chapters: The Artists, Friendship, I Too Am America, As We Sit Here, Furious, and The Tree That’s in Front of My House.  Each of these chapters begins with a poetry prompt that teachers can use.  One poem called “The Poetry Circle,” provides rules that teachers can use to introduce that concept.  Because the book is available in paperback, there is no reason that school and public libraries with the smallest of budgets cannot afford this book.  Also, it makes this book a candidate for a classroom set of books.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan

Yolen, Jane.  HORIZONS:  POEMS AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE. Photos by Jason Stemple.  
    Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills, 2002. 32p.  1-56397-197-6 hb. $17.95     Gr. 4-7+    811.54

    The fourteen poems, accompanied by magnificent photos, are about horizons in various locations that are identified at the end of each poem.  Most of the places are from the American West (AZ, UT, WY) except for MA, NC, and FL.  There are three from Colorado and four from Scotland.   Another is a double exposure from Florida and Scotland.  The photos work well with the prose poems but can be enjoyed for their own sake.  Text is in black and white and two of the poems using black type are difficult to read against a dark background.  Teachers can use this book to enhance geography units of study.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Yolen, Jane.  SNOW, SNOW: WINTER POEMS FOR CHILDREN.
    Photos by Jason Stemple.  Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills, 1998.
    32p. 1-56397-721-4;  lib.bdg., $16.95  97-76914   Gr. 3-5     811.54

    Beautiful color photos inspired Yolen to write these poems.  All 13 of the poems have something to do with snow: “Snowmobile,” “Skier,” “Snow on the Trees,” and “Mountain Snowstorm.”  The poems and photos are artistically arranged to make a picture book for all climates, especially those with lots of winter.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

 Yolen, Jane, ed.  ONCE UPON ICE AND OTHER FROZEN POEMS.
    Photos by Jason Stemple.  Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills, 1997.
    32p. 1-56397-408-8;  lib.bdg., $17.95  97-76914   Gr. 3-5     811.008

    According to the introduction, Yolen asked 17 other poets to look at Stemple’s “photos of ice formations and write whatever the photos inspired.“  The 22 poems are accompanied by the photos in pleasing arrangements to make an attractive picture book.  Some of the more well-known poets are: X. J. Kenedy, Mary Ann Hoberman, J. Patrick Lewis, Ann Turner, Lee Bennett Hopkins, and Nancy Willard.   Introduce these poems when studying seasons.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

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812 AMERICAN DRAMA

    Bruchac, A native storyteller, has adapted seven native tales representing the following culures:  Abenaki, Ojibway, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Snohomish, Tlingit, and Zuni.  The Michigan connection is the Ojibway or Chippewa story, "Star Sisters."  Each play is preceded by a paragraph about the history and present location of the tribe.  All plays list speaking and non-speaking characters, props/scenery, costumes, and script.  Simplicity is the key to the props, scenery, and costumes.   After performing the last play, "The Strongest One" students can read or listen to the circular stories from other cultures about who is the strongest, the snow, sun, house, mouse, cat, stick, fire, water, deer, arrow, rock, or ant and can compare them.  This title is an essential purchase for school and public libraries who want authentic plays for children based on native stories.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
 

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818 AMERICAN LITERATURE, MISC.

820 ENGLISH LITERATURE

821 ENGLISH POETRY, INDIVIDUAL POEMS

    The text is based on a version of the rhyme published in 1805 by Martin.  The child-like illustrations remind readers of finger paints and are tinged with humor; for example, the dog is reading a newspaper called "The Daily Dog."  The end papers are photos of dogs with hand printed names and added illustrations like glasses, hats, wings, and halos.  The text is the standard nursery rhyme but includes only five places where Mother Hubbard went: to the cupboard, tailor, hatter, barber, and cobbler.  This nursery rhyme can be easily adapted to antiphonal choral reading.  The leader can say all the parts beginning with "She" and the class can say in unison the parts beginning with "But."  Read this book aloud in day care centers, public and school libraries.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Lear, Edward.  THE OWL AND THE PUSSSYCAT.  Illus. by James Marshall.
    New York:  Michael di Capua/HarperCollins, 1998.  32p.  0-06-205010-9; hb.,
    $15.95    0-06-05011-7; lib.bdg.,  $15.89.   PreS-Gr. 3      92-52640    821

      The mark of a good picture book illustrator is how he complements and adds to the text.  In this picture book,  a humorous classic poem has been made even funnier by Marshall's illustrations.  Wong hand lettered the text in perfect cursive penmanship which teachers will appreciate when teaching cursive writing. In the afterword, Maurice Sendak tells readers  that Marshall knew he would not live to see the book published.  This fact makes this book even more special to his fans but don't buy it for sentimental purposes; purchase it because it is a good picture book.  Consider purchasing even if you have other illustrated copies of Lear's poem.
     Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center

Stevenson, Robert Louis.  THE LITTLE LAND.  Illus by Kim Fernandes. Tonawanda, NY:  Kids Can,   
    2002. 24p.  1-55337-385-5; hb., $14.95    C2001-903441-5    PreS-Gr. 2      821.8

    The illustrations are executed with Fimo, a pliable modeling material that is painted in bright colors.  Stevenson’s classic poem was first published in 1885 in A CHILD’S GARDEN OF VERSES.   Adults who read this one aloud, should give it a trial run because the rhymes are challenging, especially green/been, gone/on, again/plain, chairs/tears, and climb/time.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

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821.008 ENGLISH POETRY, COLLECTIONS

    This poetry anthology functions on two levels.  First, it is a poetry anthology of humorous poems from many nationalities and many times; i.e.,  LEV*I*TATE by Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev (1872-1929).  Then at the bottom of the page, in fine print is a textbook of poetry lessons.  Information about the poet, birth and death dates, and a brief bio are included.  This is followed by definitions of the poetry terms like onomatopoeia or types of poetry like sonnets and acrostics.  A section at the end called ”Glossing and Flossing” is the glossary.  The low-key computer generated illustrations and overall type setting and book design as well as the light-hearted comments, make this book a non threatening way to learn about poetry.  The only flaw in this book is the title.  Purchase this unusual poetry anthology for school and public libraries.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Rosen, Michael.  POEMS FOR THE VERY YOUNG.  Boston, MA:  Kingfisher Books,
          2004.  78p.  0-7534-5816-0 pb. $9.95    Gr. K-2    821.008

          This collection of short, witty poems provides reading fun for all ages.  Individual poems originate in many areas of the world, covering topics from animals to cooking to playing in the backyard.  Readers can find a poem to fit almost any event.  The watercolor illustrations are cartoonish and charming.  Teachers, parents, and librarians will want to add this to their bookshelves.
          Lynette Suckow, Youth Services, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI

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822 ENGLISH DRAMA

    The twelve selections from eight of Shakespeare’s plays begin from dawn until dusk making it a different type of bedtime book.  Closing selections include “Sing in our sweet lullaby; /Lulla, lulla, lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby…” from A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, II-II and “We are such stuff as/dreams are made on…” from THE TEMPEST, IV-I.  This is an excellent way to introduce young readers to Shakespeare’s genius because the selections are “user friendly” and include some well-known verses like “All the world’s a stage” from AS YOU LIKE IT, II-VII.   Mythological references to Phoebus and Philomel and a reference to the tones of the dulcet, a musical instrument, need to be explained in a glossary or an asterisk to a brief explanation at the bottom of the page.  The context helps somewhat but an explanation would help; this is a minor problem.  The illustrations have an ethereal quality in keeping with the text.  Junior and senior high schools where Shakespeare is studied should purchase this book.  This picture book, enjoyed by adults as well as children, is a vital addition to Shakespeare collections in school and public libraries.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

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828 ENGLISH LITERATURE

890 POETRY, INDIVIDUAL; OTHER

890 POETRY, COLLECTIVE; OTHER

890 LITERATURE, WORLD

    This is a compilation of essays which appeared in, or as part of, previously published works (1950’s-1990’s) that cover the beginnings of Renaissance literature in Italy, the northern Humanist Movement and concludes by examining a variety of author’ works of prose, poetry and drama, many of which are English.
    While many of the essays may be beyond the scope of most high school English courses, this book offers some very good background and research information on Renaissance literature.  A section at the beginning of the book, titled “Renaissance Literature: Aspiration and the Individual.” presents a very nice overview of the why’s and how’s (the motivation) of Renaissance literature and some of its major figures.  The essays dealing with English authors present the student with much insightful information not found in textbooks or encyclopedias, especially the essays on English drama and Shakespeare.  At the end of the book is a chronology of literary events, a bibliography “for further research,” and an index.  The nuggets are there, it just takes a little digging.
    Ted Snodgrass; Media Specialist, New Haven High School, New Haven, MI

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