Florian, Douglas. Autumnblings. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2003. ISBN: 9780060092788
Critical Analysis:
Autumnblings is a compilation of poetry that follows the criteria of a thematic collection specifically relating to the season of Autumn. The author, Douglas Florian, utilizes poetic elements such as form, sound patterns, and meaning which all contribute towards his vivid and personal style. Throughout this compilation, Florian incorporates a majority of descriptive poems that include elaborate imagery and descriptions that ultimately enhances the content and themes of Autumn. In the poem "What I Love About Autumn," words such as flickering, cool crisp, and clear blue are used to depict certain objects. These adjectives allow the audience to vividly picture the elements described. In correlation with his usage of descriptive poetry, Florian also includes the usage of sound patterns, such as word sounds and rhyme scheme. Again, in the poem, "What I Love About Autumn," the author incorporates an end rhyme scheme within every two lines, as well as the usage of alliteration in the pairings of frisbee flickering; cool crisp; and bracing breeze. The inclusion of these sound plays emphasizes certain sounds and words that support the theme within this compilation.
With the usage of watercolor paints and colored pencils, Florian provides his audience with illustrations that coincide with the content of this title. Throughout these vibrant paintings, the colors orange, brown, and reds are thoroughly used. These colors are thematic and directly relate to Autumn by appealing to the visual eye. Not only does Florian incorporate illustrations that depict visual appeal, but he includes concrete poems to provide the same effect. In the spotlight poem below, Florian situates the words falls and tumbles in a manner that coincides with the words used; the word falls is actually falling, and the word tumbles is actually tumbling. By arranging the words in this manner, Florian is able to convey the meaning of the words through illustrative appeal. By illustrating and compiling his own poetry, Florian is able to provide his audience with vivid imagery that effectively conveys the content of each poem.
Spotlight Poem:
"Autumnblings"
- Douglas Florian
Connections:
- Have an Autumn themed day during the first day of Autumn. Assign the task of children bringing in leaves that have began to change color. Discuss with children what occurs during this change.
- Provide children with paper, watercolors, and color pencils. Proceed to read Autumnblings without displaying the illustrations and have children illustrate what they hear.
