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.

red sings from treetops: a year in colors written by joyce sideman and illustrated by pamela zagarenski

Sidman, Joyce. Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors, Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009. ISBN: 9780547014944

Critical Analysis:
     Red Sings from Treetops, is a thematic collection of poetry encompassing the essence of each season. The author, Joyce Sidman, utilizes descriptive poetry in a manner that touches her audience’s sense of feeling, hearing, taste, and smell. Sidman utilizes each season in a way that divides this title into chapters. Within these season chapters, each individual poetic piece directly correlates with the appropriate season. She focuses this thematic compilation around the colors that resonate within each season. In the Spotlight Poem Excerpt, “Fall”, the author introduces the season with the colors green and brown. She personifies the color green as she describes how ‘green is tired,’‘sighs with relief, and ‘time for brown to take over.’ These lines also symbolize how during this time of the year green grass begins to turn brown. The author’s utilization of descriptive language also contributes to the vivid images that the illustrator, Pamela Zagarenski, incorporated within this collection.
     Zagarenski uses mixed media paintings on wood and computer illustration vibrant colors that collaborate with the context of each poem. Again, each poem focuses on the colors pertaining to each season, and the illustrator focuses her illustrations around these colors. In the poems that focus around purple, her illustration shows a variety of purple hues; in the poems that focus around the color red, her illustration is centered around red and its various shades. The collaboration between author and illustrator provides their audience with an array visual appeal.

Spotlight Poem Excerpt:

"Fall"

In FALL,
Green is tired,
dusty,
crisp around the edges.
Green sighs with relief:
I've ruled for so long.
Time for Brown to take over.

Connections:

• Ask children what colors are they reminded of during each season and why.
• Have children choose one color and create a poem (it could be free verse) about things that only relate to that color. 

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. 

water sings blue: ocean poems written by kate coombs and illustrated by meilo so

Coombs, Kate. Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems, Illustrated by Meilo So. California: Chronicle Books LLC, 2012. ISBN: 9780811872843

Critical Analysis:

     Water Sings Blue is a compilation of poetry directly attributed to the ocean. The author, Kate Coombs, cleverly utilizes many elements of poetry such as stanzas, imagery, and rhyme schemes to resonate the essence of the ocean. Within the Spotlight Poem, "Not Really Jelly," Coombs incorporates an end rhyme scheme in every other line. This end rhyme presents the opportunity for children to grasp on the sounds of each rhyme among the words fish, dish, and squish. Along with the usage of end rhymes, the author also uses a vast amount of imagery. In the poem, "What the Waves Say," there is an abundance of imagery throughout this ten line poem. Shimmer, foggy, whisper, swish, and roar are all words that appeal and vividly describe the waves of the ocean and provide readers with illustrative appeal. Recipient of the 2013 Lee Bennett Hopkins award, Kate Coombs demonstrates excellence in providing children with an outstanding compilation of poetry that encompasses the essence of the ocean and its components. 

Spotlight Poem:

"Not Really Jelly"

You're not really jelly,

you're not really fish --

you're free-floating noodles

escaped from a dish,

all slither and jiggle

and tremble and squish.

                  - Kate Coombs

Connections:

• Perform the poetry for the children and ask them what words remind them of the ocean and why. Provide children with paper and pen to write these words down and educate them on the importance of descriptions and imagery within poems. 
• Prior to reading the poems, ask children what they think of when they think of the ocean. 
• After reading this compilation, choose a random oceanic element and have each child write a small poem about it by incorporating end rhymes and imagery.

blackbeard the pirate king written by j. patrick lewis

Lewis, J. Patrick. Blackbeard the Pirate King. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2006. ISBN: 9780792255857.

Critical Analysis:
     Blackbeard: The Pirate King, is a biographical compilation of poetry that depicts the life and death of the notorious pirate, Blackbeard. The author J. Patrick Lewis, describes the life and death of this pirate in a manner that collaborates poetry with a biography. Each encompasses details of Blackbeard's life while incorporating language, layout, and appeal through utilizing poetry. The layout of this compilation corresponds to one theme -- Blackbeard's life. From the beginning of this compilation to the conclusion, the author utilizes poetry to detail the life of Blackbeard. In the first poem, the author introduces Blackbeard by his real name, Edward Teach, and describes how the legacy of Blackbeard would never be achieved by any other pirate. The author also incorporates various illustrations that were created during the period of time when Blackbeard roamed the seas. Through this incorporation, the author has provided his audience with additions that enhance the essence of this particular biographical theme. Not only does the author utilize a layout that enhances the story of Blackbeard, but he also incorporates the pirate language within his poems. Within the Spotlight Poem below, "At Teach's Hole," the author includes the phrases 'derring-do' and 'twice told and true.' These phrases are just two out of many phrases used by pirates. Lewis' inclusion of these phrases add to the enhancement of this theme by allowing his audience to become divulged among the language used by whom he describes. By reading through this whole compilation, the audience is subjected to the life of Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach in a manner that appeals to their interests.  

Spotlight Poem:

"At Teach's Hole"

The ghostly headless figure
Of Blackbeard, it is said,
Still swims under the moonlight
Looking for its severed head.

But who knows where the truth lies
In tales of derring-do.
The tales that most excite you
And the tales twice told and true.

                          -J. Patrick Lewis

Connections:

• Ask children if they've ever heard of Blackbeard and who he was.
• Read the compilation to children and then have the children describe who he was based off of what they were just read. 
• Have children create their own poems about a particular person; it could be an autobiographic poem or a biographic poem. 

science verse written by jon scieszka and illustrated by lane smith

Scieszka, Jon. Science Verse, Illustrated by Lane Smith. New York: Viking, 2004. ISBN: 9780670910571

Critical Analysis:
     Science Verse is a collection of thematic poetry based around science. Each poem incorporated within this compilation directly relates to science’s subject content while including poetic elements such as: stanzas, rhyme scheme, and puns. Throughout a majority of the poetry compilation, Jon Scieszka utilizes puns in order to correlate the content with the selected science theme. In the Spotlight Poem below, “What’s the Matter,” the author uses puns such as ‘what’s the matter’ and ‘she didn’t know the state’ to demonstrate a specific play on words as it relates to science’s three states of matter.  Among the word play utilized, the author structures his poetry within stanzas that incorporate end rhyme schemes. As seen within the poem, “Scientific Method at the Bat,” there is an obvious utilization of an AABBCCDDEEFFGGHH rhyme scheme that is separated by four stanzas while incorporating a quatrain within each. By utilizing this separation the author is able to provide readers with anticipation and a structure that allows the content to transition to the next idea. More elements the author uses are allusions and references to popular nursery rhymes. By including these references the author is able to coincide science with a format and storyline that are already familiar to children. In the poem, “Jack Be Nimble,” the author states that ‘Jack jump over the combustion reaction of O2 + heat + fuel to form CO2 + light + heat + exhaust;’ this line uniquely teaches children the scientific elements and properties of a candle stick because they’re able to reference the well known nursery rhyme “Jack Be Nimble.”
     Not only does the author utilize poetic elements within this compilation, but he also collaborates with Lane Smith who successfully pairs each poem with vibrant illustrations. Despite the author’s intentional play on words, the illustrator depicts each line in a literal manner. By illustrating the author’s play on words, Smith is able to provide his audience with humor while incorporating the described elements of science. The author and illustrator do a fabulous job of pairing their talents in order to connect poetry with science within a picture book.

Spotlight Poem:

"What's the Matter?"

Miss Lucy had some matter.
She didn't know its state.
She only had three choices,
So tried to get it straight.

She thought it could be liquid,
Quite possibly a gas.
And if it wasn't solid,
Well call me sassafras.

Miss Lucy called the plumber.
Miss Lucy called the cop.
Miss Lucy called the egghead
With the perfectly bald top.

"Liquid," said the plumber.
"Solid," said the cop.
"Gas," said the egghead
With the perfectly bald, perfectly bald, perfectly bald
Top top top.

                                       - Jon Scieszka

Connections:

• Within each poem there is an allusion to science. Have the children identify each reference to science.
• Puns are a poetic element that are seen throughout this compilation; teach a small lesson on puns and have children identify the puns used in various poems.
• Each poem entails the theme of science. Proceeding each poem, further explain that specific theme that has been introduced. For example, in the Spotlight Poem "What's the Matter," further explain the three states of matter.

the other side: shorter poems written by angela johnson

Johnson, Angela. The Other Side: Shorter Poems. New York: Orchard Books, 1998. ISBN: 0531301141.

Critical Analysis:
     The Other Side is compiled of forty-two short poems that detail the memories recounted by a young girl growing up in the late 1970’s. This title is an example of social studies poetry, which provides readers with insight on the happenings during this certain period of time. Throughout this compilation the author includes certain descriptions that detail the times and circumstances during and directly proceeding the Civil Rights Movement. In the Spotlight Poem below, “Counters,” the author states ‘My Uncle Fred has a slash across his face from some redneck trying to stop him from ordering a lemonade from a lunch counter in Montgomery;’ this depicts the social injustices faced by African-Americans during a certain period of time when whites felt as if their race were superior to non whites and when they would proceed in violent acts in order to deter the fight against equality among races -- especially in the South.  Due to the basis of this compilation being a recount of is memories, the author uses a great deal of descriptive language so that her audience is able to visualize the extent of her content. Words such as, ‘red lights in the cold night’ and ‘crack the ice in the puddle,’ are lines that provide readers with descriptions that coincide with more than one of the five senses. The author, Angela Johnson, touches her audience by providing them with a portrayal of what it was like during a dire period of time in history in a subtle manner than does not divert readers who may not be fond of history and social aspects of the past.
 
Spotlight Poem:

"Counters"

My Uncle Fred has a slash
across his face from
some redneck
trying to
stop him from ordering
a lemonade from a lunch counter
in Montgomery.
When the weather changes, it
aches him, he says,
but smiles when
he says it, whenever he says it.
All m mama could remember
was how Grandmama had
screamed and
talked about
leaving the South.
All I can think is
how terrible it was
and how beautiful
it made him.

                      - Angela Johnson

Connections:

• The purpose of this form of poetry is to introduce this social topic. Read this short compilation to children and ask them what aspects they heard that collaborate with history, such as blacks sitting at diner counters to only be denied service.
• Follow up with the movie Selma and The Butler which depict social injustices during the Civil Rights Movement that include depictions of counter sit ins.
• Dissect each poem and provide students with the historical content as it relates to the content of each line and poem. 
• Bring to the attention of children of the imagery and the dialogue used to describe the circumstances that are being recounted.