a poke in the i selected by paul b. janeczko and illustrated by chrisraschka

Janeczko, Paul B. A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems, Illustrated by Chris Raschka. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2005. ISBN: 9780763623760

Critical Analysis:

     A Poke in the I is a compilation of thirty concrete poems selected by Paul B. Janeczko and illustrated by Chris Raschka. Janescko integrates these poems in a manner that showcases the varying ranges that the original authors use to create their pieces of poetry. Each poem is different; however, they all exhibit the fun and uniqueness found among concrete poetry. In the Spotlight Poem, “Giraffe,” the author uses words to construct the poem in the shape of an actual giraffe as well as using imagery to depict the physical description of a giraffe. Not only does the author use her words to create an image, but she also incorporates an end rhyme at the conclusion of the poem. This element adds a fun and entertaining beat that her audience will enjoy and remember. Paul B. Janeczko does a great job of selecting fun concrete poems to include within this compilation.

Spotlight Poem:

"Giraffe"

        A

 GIRAFFE

          I

           S

             S

             O

                  T

                  A

                  L

                  L

                     A

                     N

                     D

         HIS HEAD IS SO

   FAR ABOVE HIS LEGS

       HE PROBABLY CAN'T SEE

                 H       T         E        K

                  I       O         L        N

                 S       E          S        E

                          S          E        E

                 A                             S

                 D      O         B     

                 O      R         E         A

                 R                  L         N

                 A      A         O        D

                 B      N         W

                 L      Y                     E

                 E      T          H         L

                         H           I         B

                          I           S         O

                         N                     W

                         G                      S

                                         - Maureen W. Armour

Connections:

• Select a random poem, within this collection, and have children describe what it is the words depict.
• Have children choose a random object or animal and then have them create their own concrete poem in the shape of it.

the palm of my heart written by african american children and illustrated by gregory christie

Adedjouma, Davida. The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children, Illustrated by Gregory Christie. New York: Lee & Low, 1996. ISBN: 9781880000762

Critical Analysis:

     The Palm of my Heart is an anthology of poetry written by African American children. This collection explores their self-definition as it relates to the word ‘black.’ Lucille Clifton, the author of the introduction, presents this collection by mentioning the impact of the word ‘black’ specifically referencing the skin color of African Americans. This particular collection is comprised of poetry that varies in length, but upholds many elements of poetry including: structure, flow, rhyme schemes, and literary devices. In the Spotlight Poem below, the author Andreya Renee Allen, organizes her poem within three stanzas. The beginning of her poem is introduced with the metaphor ‘black is beautiful.’ Not only does the author use a metaphor as her introduction, but this metaphor is within the refrain ‘black is beautiful, black is me.’ This refrain provides audiences with a fun participatory element where they can join in saying aloud. 

     Alongside every poem are illustrations that were created using acrylic and colored pencil. These illustrations depict African American life as it is described in each poem. Among these illustrations the artist, Gregory Christie, utilizes vibrant colors and images that bring homage to African American life and history. This compilation of poetry sheds light of the meaning of the word ‘black’ while exuding self-definition depicted through the young minds of African American children. 

Spotlight Poem:

Black is beautiful

Black is me

Black is the color

          can’t you see

          that

blue is nice,

And orange is neat

But they can’t compete

           because

Black is beautiful

Black is me

Tall, dark, and wonderful

     see!

                     - Andreya Renee Allen

Connections:

• Have children tell you to describe the word ‘black.’ What is it that comes to the children’s minds? Is it skin color? Darkness? Nighttime?  Now have children describe how the word ‘black’ makes them feel. 
• This book is a good teaching mechanism that focuses on embracing who you are. Share with children that everyone is different from the shape of their eyes, to their height, to the color of their skin; however, everyone is a person and everyone has feelings. 

behold the bold umbrellaphant: and other poems written and narrated by jack prelutsky

Prelutsky, Jack. Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant: and Other Poems, Illustrated by Carin Berger. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2006. ISBN: 978-0060543174 (AISN: B005MQJOJ0)

Critical Analysis:

     Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant is a compilation of seventeen poems in which the author, Jack Prelutsky, incorporates plethora usage of puns, as well as incorporating the basic structural criteria and standard elements that poetry entails. The basis of this compilation is centered on the question, “What do you get when you cross a ____ with a ____?” Each poem included within this compilation crosses an animal with a random object and Prelutsky answers these questions with his clever usage of puns. For example, in the poem titled “Shoehornets,” he states that when you cross a shoe horn with a hornet, a shoehornet is the outcome. Preceding the outcome, the author presents what it is that each species does by combining the properties of the object and the nature of the animal. In “Shoehornets,” the author states that “shoe hornets make it easier for you to put on shoes,”-- just as a shoehorn does; “but when they do…they sting,”-- just as a hornet does.

      In the audio version of this title, Prelutsky collaborates with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra to add a musical inclusion to his poetry. During the readings of his poems, the orchestra plays in the background and adds elements of suspense and excitement as they use their instruments in conjunction with the flow of the poem. In the book version and the audio-version of this title, Prelutsky provides his audience with a myriad of poetic and artistic elements.

Spotlight Poem:

"Shoehornets"

SHOEHORNETS make it easier

For you to put on shoes.

They quickly slide

Your feet inside.

You can, of course, refuse.

And that is what you’d better do,

For you should know one thing –

It’s true they choose

To help with shoes,

But when they do…they sting!

                                 - Jack Prelutsky

Connections:

• Before reading the poem, have children guess what animal and objects were combined to create each title. 
• Have children create their own animal/object cross species, and allow them to describe them by using the elements of the object and the actions of the animal.