the friendly four written by eloise greenfield and illustrated by jan spivey gilchrist

Greenfield, Eloise. The Friendly Four, Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2006. ISBN: 9780060007591

Critical Analysis:

     The Friendly Four is a compilation of poetry created as a means for performance poetry through free verse. The author, Eloise Greenfield, creates a story that incorporates the help of readers while including elements of poetry. The structure of this compilation entails three of ten strategies of reading poetry aloud: unison, solos, and two-voices. Greenfield introduces her story with one solo reader that is depicted in red text. In the Spotlight Poem, "The New Boy,"she proceeds with a poem intended for two-voices -- depicted in red and blue text. In this same poem, she also uses black text to depict the intention for a unison performance. By incorporating these strategies, the author provides her audience with elements of participation for oral reading and performing. 

Spotlight Poem:

"The New Boy"

Dorene:                      Ms. Lynn Bunton has a new son.

Drum and Dorene: She said he is the perfect one,

                                     for her.

Drum:                        We think he'll be perfect

                                     for us, too. He's six,

Dorene:                      we're seven.

Drum and Dorene: He's having a party

                                     today at eleven,

Dorene:                      for Drum, himself and me.

Drum and Dorene: We can't wait to meet him,

                                     then two friends will be three.

                                                                     - Eloise Greenfield

Connections:

• Assign random children with a part to perform in this compilation. In the parts where they perform in unison, have them practice in order to perform this exceptionally. 
• After performances, eventually add gestures and props to enhance the performance of this compilation. 
• In the parts that call for 'all' readers, have the whole class perform these parts in unison.