Steady Hands: Poems About Work by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, Megan Halsey and Sean Addy

Review of Steady Hands: Poems About Work by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, Megan Halsey and Sean Addy From Publishers Weekly

Inventive, complicated collages and well-crafted poems focus on the activities of working people in this eye-catching book. With an observant eye, Zimmer (Sketches from a Spy Tree) captures different individuals performing work with steady hands. She details the flap/ roll/ flap of the baker kneading dough or the way a clerk performs a ballet/ of hands as she sorts, scans and bags groceries. Sometimes she gives the worker a backstory or views him after hours—a former lawyer prefers the predictable company of dogs and becomes a dog walker, while the exterminator doesn't mind the guys at the bowling alley calling him Roach. Halsey and Addy's (Amelia to Zora) hip collages combine individual cut-outs of people along with drawings, photos, textured backgrounds and designs. The aspiring filmmaker pops out of a box of movie popcorn while the tow-truck driver fishes in the city, literally reeling in cars. The sophisticated look should generate plenty of interest from the target audience. Ages 9–12. (Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

2 poems from this book appealed to me the most. The first was "Personal Administrator" talking about interviewing people for jobs and knowing right away if they ave it based on visual cues and the tone of voice. It struck me as I am preparing to be in a library. The second was "Librarian", touching on so many of the digital things a librarian does now from blogs and podcasts, to introducing graphic novels and starting guys book clubs. I think the way these two struck me speaks loudly for having a book full of jobs that will strike the right nerve in others. This is most definitely a book I would include in the elementary and middle school libraries and suggest for career exploration units.

I Can Be Anything! by Jerry Spinelli, Jimmy Liao

Review of I Can Be Anything! by Jerry Spinelli, Jimmy Liao From School Library Journal

The imaginative young boy in this marvelous story has some unusual answers to a frequently asked question. The youngster, clad in overalls and a cap, dreams of being "a pumpkin grower," "puddle stomper," or "silly-joke teller." Both the lilting text and amusing watercolor and acrylic illustrations are full of energy. The boy runs and skips from one adventurous goal to the next, accompanied by rabbits, frogs, and other little creatures. His animal friends gaze at him through the window of a homey kitchen in his future role as a "mixing-bowl licker." When he imagines being a "baby-sis soother," the smiling child is dressed in an elephant costume, and his sister laughs. In the end, on a four-page foldout, the boy decides, "So many jobs!/They're all such fun—/I'm going to choose…/EVERY ONE!" This outstanding book pairs well with Leonid Gore's When I Grow Up (Scholastic, 2009) or Jeanie Franz Ransom's What Do Parents Do? (…When You're Not Home) (Peachtree, 2007).—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

Though this was a cute book, I am not sure why it was classified as poetry when I was researching books for this reading project. It does rhyme and could be considered a poem, but it is not a book of poetry. That being said, I do like the illustrations and it is great for practicing rhyme in your preschool- first grade crowd. My 3 and four year old loved it and my special needs first and second grade group enjoyed reading it when doing rhyme.

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex

Review of Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex From School Library Journal

This hilarious collection of illustrated poems describes the lives of well-known monsters. There's Frankenstein, who tries to borrow food from townsfolk, but is instead pelted with garbage: Its true, at first/he thought the worst:/His neighbors were so rude!/But then he found/that on the ground/they'd made a mound of food. The accompanying illustration shows the pickle-green brute happily eying a towering sandwich made from discarded edibles. In several comical appearances, the Phantom of the Opera bemoans the fact that he can no longer compose arias because he cant get catchy tunes out of his head (Its a small world after all./Angry cursing fills the hall./Now hes crawling up the wall./Its a small, small world). He eventually considers an alternate career. The Creature from the Black Lagoon ignores his mothers advice, swims too soon after eating, and sinks; Count Dracula walks around with spinach in his teeth because no one dares tell him about it. Told with smooth, unstrained rhymes, each selection captures its subjects voice. Rex uses an impressive variety of techniques and media in the artwork while paying homage to famed illustrators. From shiny black-and-white graphics in Zombie Zombie, to a Richard Scarry-esque interpretation of the Yeti, to pen-and-ink sketches of Dr. Jekyll, each creature claims its own style. The book is fresh, creative, and funny, with just enough gory detail to cause a few gasps. Kids will eat it up.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

I had both the book and audio versions of the poetry. This is most definitely a book for boys! If you don't know your monsters, you will not find it as entertaining. My girls just kept asking "Who is the Phantom" and or "Why is the dog worried about hair in the shower" (it was the werewolf's dog). I found if funny and refreshing. I would suggest it for 3-5th grade boys, maybe younger for your higher level reading students.

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices

Review of Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman from Amazon.com

Winner of the 1989 Newbery Award, Joyful Noise is a children's book of poetry about insects that was designed for two readers to enjoy together. On each page are two columns of verse for children to alternate reading aloud about the lives of six-legged creatures ranging from fireflies writing in the sky to a love affair between two lice, crickets eating pie crumbs and the single day in the life of a mayfly. Charming large scale soft-pencil illustrations enhance the comical, easy-to-read text. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Again my 7 year old LOVED this poetry book. She read it again and again. She listened to the audio version in the car for weeks. She took it to school and shared it with friends. I liked the way the 2 voices could be used. I didn't enjoy the audio version as much as the print with 2 actual people. It was interesting to see the words side by side and when each reader was supposed to come in with their part. I felt the audio version needed more pizazz with background music or something, but then again it is now on Cecelia's MP3 player so there is something I missed!

Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse

Review of Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer, Josee Massee From School Library Journal

This appealing collection based on fairy tales is a marvel to read. It is particularly noteworthy because the poems are read in two ways: up and down. They are reverse images of themselves and work equally well in both directions. "Mirror Mirror" is chilling in that Snow White, who is looking after the Seven Dwarves, narrates the first poem of the pair. Read in reverse, it is the wicked queen who is enticing Snow White to eat the apple that will put her to sleep forever. "In the Hood" is as crafty as the wolf who tells of his delightful anticipation of eating Red Riding Hood. The mirrored poem is Red Riding Hood reminding herself not to dally since Grandma awaits. The vibrant artwork is painterly yet unfussy and offers hints to the characters who are narrating the poems. An end note shows children how to create a "reverse" poem. This is a remarkably clever and versatile book that would work in any poetry or fairy-tale unit. A must-have for any library.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

I am truly spellbound by Singer's ability to not only write a poem that can be read forward and backwards, but has 2 different meanings from 2 different points of view at the same time! My 7 year old was equally enamored by the poems. She takes it to school daily and we have checked the book out so many times that we can no longer renew it at the library. We just bought our own copy! This book is not only a must have for the library, it should be shown to teachers to use in units to support curriculum. Fantastic book!

Week 12: Poetry

Week 12: April 13-19

Poetry

www.childrenslit.com

1. Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer, Josee Massee
2. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman
3. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex
4. I Can Be Anything! by Jerry Spinelli, Jimmy Liao
5. Steady Hands: Poems About Work by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, Megan Halsey and Sean Addy

Rationale:
My 7 year old has been very interested in poetry lately, especially poems she can memorize. I am hoping to find some gems that I can read with her following this unit.

On My Block

On My Block edited by Dana Goldberg Product Description

This book was part of my collection already because I knew one of the 15 artists featured in the book, Cbabi Bayoc. I lived in Shaw neighborhood for 8 years and Cbabi and his family were very active in that community. The park in his story is Tower Grove Park and I can picture it very vividly as he describes it. I felt a connection to his story, because it ran parallel to mine. I enjoyed the other stories, but wished I had a little more detail and background knowledge, as I did for Cbabi's. The artists all had very differing experiences growing up showing all walks of life can achieve success. They all had very different styles of art also which made it fun to flip from page to page to see what the next page had to hold for the reader. Though I loved the book and treasure my autographed version, I don't think it would be a popular book in the library and would only purchase it if it were paired with an artist visit. Instead I would probably go with Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon by Ruth Forman and Illustrated by Cbabi Bayoc.