Soft Hay will Catch You ~ Poems by Young People

Soft Hay will Catch You
 Poems by Young People

Compiled by: Sanford Lyne
Illustrated by: Julie Monks





Lyne, Sandford, and Julie Monks. Soft hay will catch you: poems by young people. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2004. 

ISBN: 0689834608

Summary
     Soft Hay will Catch You is a thoughtful book of poetry that any person can relate to. Compiled by Stadford Lyne each poem will touch adults or young adults minds. This entire book of poetry was written by young people and every piece is written with perspective and insight into their life. Lovely and poignant the reader will get lost in the thoughts of the individual who wrote it and just might say “I remember feeling like that, once.” Poems of loneliness being forgotten and indifference fill the pages of this honest and truthful collection. Beautifully written, the reader will be able to tell that much revising was done by young people to make each piece perfect.
     The illustrator Julie Monks has managed to draw pictures that encompass many of the moods of this collection of poetry. She used many earth tone colors in the illustrations to convey much of the melancholy mood through out the book. The pictures are beautiful, just like the poetry.

REJECTED

My friend crossed the creek
without me this morning.
Oh how much I wanted to be a rainbow
full of bright colors
So I would be noticed
but instead I was a girl
just a girl.

--Elizabeth Thompson
                        Grade 5

Poem Introduction
Some of the poetry in this book will be great for Bullying Week in the schools! This poem will have all of the 4^th and 5^th graders talking about being accepted and how much it stinks to feel like this young girl in the poem.
As a teacher I would read the poem and have the students think about what the girl means.  Would it be better to be a rainbow? and why? Is it better to be brighter colored than a friend?
A teacher could easily change the word to boy for those students who are having problems connecting with this poem.
This poem could open the door for an open dialogue on acceptance and sometimes without knowing we could make friends feel ostracized.

A KICK IN THE HEAD : An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms

A KICK IN THE HEAD : An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms

Selected by:  Paul Janeczko
Illustrated by: Chris Raschka



Janeczko, Paul B., and Christopher Raschka. A kick in the head . Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press, 2005.

ISBN:0763606626

Summary
            This book of poetry selected by Paul Janeczko gives the reader a taste of many different forms of poetry they may encounter. From the most well known such as a couplet to the unknown like pantoum poetry this book covers many forms. The reader will be surprised by just how many types of poetry are recognized. Mr. Janeczko has given the reader an opportunity to read and visually see how poems are manipulated into form. At the end of the book they will find an explanation of each form and better understand why that selection was made. This is a book of poetry that is clever, but it is also a book of explanation.
            The illustrator Chris Reschka has provided vibrant pictures to flatter each individual poem. The colors are exciting and bright with inviting tones; blue, red yellow etc...  Mr. Reschka has done a great job with bringing the poems to life!

Acoustic
Can’t
Avoid
Trouble
By: Paul Janeczko

Does
Only
Good
By: Anonymous

Poetry Introduction
Acoustic poetry is one of the most well known in the teaching circle. It is smart and clever with truth in the writing. These two poems I would share when introducing truth using description in writing to my 3^rd-5^th students. I would first show them a picture of a dog and then a cat. We would write adjectives that would describe a dog and cat on chart paper. Then I would share the acoustic poems. I would explain what an acoustic poem is and how this poetry is formulated. After sharing the poem and looking at our written adjectives I would ask the students do they see truth in what was written about the dog and cat? (Hopefully they will say yes). Then I would ask them to start a list of adjectives that describe themselves; now is their opportunity to write an acoustic poem using their name and that shows truth.

Zoo Doings

Zoo Doings
Animal Poems  by Jack Prelutsky
illustrated by  Paul O. Zelinsky
This poetry book by Jacl Prelutsky has a natural connection to this year's Caldecott Winner
"A Sick Day for Amos McGee" written by Philip C. Stead.

Prelutsky, Jack, and Paul O. Zelinsky. Zoo doings: animal poems. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1983.

ISBN: 0688017843

Summary~
     Jack Prelutsky found his natural rhythm when incorporating the mannerisms of zoo animals in his poetry. The reader will feel that they were part of the observation of each of the 45 zoo animals spoken about in Zoo Doings. From gophers to oysters to hippopotamus' Mr. Prelutsky has written a fun takes on well loved animals kids and adults see at the zoo. A lazy lion or the confusion of a zebra's stripes have been penned with clever thought and description of what one might see at the zoo. Each poem is crafted with an insightfulness an observer could miss when visiting zoo.

     The pictures created by Paul O. Zelinsky are hilarious and will have the reader laughing out loud. They are a perfect compliment to the poetry that they accompany. Hand drawn yet give off a feeling off a natural feeling of whimsy; the reader can literally envision the drawings on the wall of a child's playroom.

  The
Zebra
The zebra is undoubtedly
a source of some confusion,
his alternating stripes present
an optical illusion.

Observing them is difficult,
one quickly loses track
of whether they are black on white
or rather white on black.

Poem/ Book Introduction
Zebra is a great poem to share with students of all ages. For younger students I would grab a stuffed zebra and read the poem. As I read I would ask students to keep their eye on the stuffed animal and then have them tell me what they saw. So what is a zebra? think about this line, "whether they are black on white
or rather white on black". We would then pass the zebra around while each student had a turn to say what they think.

For the older elementary student this would be a great introduction for studying animals. Still with the stuffed zebra we can talk about what we would like to find out about the zebra. The class to do a quick KWL chart and head for information sources. This could be an introductory to researching techniques that can be used in the library.



JAZZ

JAZZ
by Walter Dean Myers
Illustrated by Christopher Myers



Myers, Walter Dean, and Christopher Myers. Jazz . New York: Holiday House, 2006.
ISBN: 0823415457
Summary
Jazz by Walter Dean Myers has the reader bogeying their way through the colors and rhyme of the music we know as jazz. Jazz is a well written poetry book that takes you on a journey of the music that was often ignored but was relentless is finding its different genres in its sound. Each poem is written with a beat in the mind of the person who reads it aloud. This poetry book would be an excellent reference for any person who had a desire to learn more about the different types of jazz music. Observing jazz the sound in a poetry book is a wonderful tribute to all the wonderful sometimes unknown founders of the music. A surprising ending to the well crafted poems is the glossary and time line found at the end (they are just as interesting as the poems).

Christopher Myers (the son of the author) lends his artistic touch to each poem by capturing a moment with each stroke of his brush. The reader can feel the music being written about with one glance. These portraits are contemporary and be-bop to the rhythm of the poems.

Piano
Sweet and gentle, so surprising
Music fills us, hear it rising
Like a charming angel choir
Reading, preaching, souls on fire

Poem/ Book Introduction
As a librarian I would want to collaborate with the school’s music teacher and possibly a fifth grade teacher who would like to educate their students on how jazz began. This book could be the center of many fact finding designs. We could present information found in the book by having the music teacher play a tune on the piano as the teacher or I read. We can ask open-ended questions such as why does the author, Walter Dean Myers; say that the piano is sweet and surprising? How does an instrument read?

The poetry in this book was made to be discussed with the tidbits of racism presented and the description of blues and war time themes such as America. I think that many teachers could use this book when talking about origins; the poems are filled with possible connections.

This Is Just to Say ~ Poems of Apology and Forgiveness

This Is
     Just
          to
            Say
 ~ Poems of Apology and Forgiveness

by: Joyce Sidman
Illustrated by: Pamela Zagarenski



Sidman, Joyce, and Pamela Zagarenski. This is just to say: poems of apology and forgiveness. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2007.

ISBN:0618616802

This is
    Just
        to
           Say
Poems of Apology and Forgiveness

By: Joyce Sidman
Illustrated by:  Pamela Zagarenski

Summary:
            “This is Just to Say” by Joyce Sidman is a clever take on apologies and the responses that many times accompany them. The reader can relate to many of the circumstances in the poetry that are witty and realistic. The interesting twist of the poetry book is that it shows what the other person thinks about said apology. Ms. Sidman made a conscience effort not to place the circumstance and response side by side, but place them apart in the book. This forms a natural poetry break and gives the reader pause to think. That touch will have the reader re-reading each poem so a clear connection can be formed.
            The illustrations created by Pamela Zagarenski are sketched beautifully. In many of the pictures there are newspapers that have been clipped that carry the definitions for apologies and forgiveness.  This simple addition makes each picture original and one of a kind.

To: Mrs. Merz
Fashion Sense ~Apology
I am sorry for my rude words.

The classroom was so dead.
No one had anything more to say about Old Yeller.
And we were all crazy to get outside.
The silence seemed like a hundred crushing elephants.
So I raised my hand and made a comment
about your dress,
and everyone burst out laughing.
You smiled,
But your smile looked like a frozen pond.
…….
By: Carmen

To Carmen
Haiku for Carmen
            Just a few warm words,
And spring sunlight fills the room;
            My dress turns to sky.
By Mrs. Ruth Merz


 Excerpt/Poem Introduction
This poem is a great example to what an apology can mean to another person. I think most students grade 3 and up will relate to the possibility of hurting another person with words that they did not mean to say. This poem would be an excellent introduction to what an apology is, why we apologize and repercussions of actions made.

This excerpt could be used as a writing prompt for grades 3^rd – 5^th .  Write a story about what were the words that were said? Students could use their schema in inference to think of a connected reply. Younger students could write a sentence about how mean words make them feel. The teacher can then place responses, stories and sentences
on a board for all to read. This activity will help with conversations on bullying and how using kind words is always a good choice.

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You
Very Short Stories to
Read Together
by                                                                 Illustrated by
MARY ANN HOBERMAN                   MICHAEL EMBERLEY



Hoberman, Mary Ann, and Michael Emberley. You read to me, I'll read to you: very short stories to read together. Boston: Little, Brown, 2001.

ISBN: 031636502

Summary
            Mary Ann Hoberman has successfully put a poetry book together meant for two readers to take turns, read simultaneously and in the end have a good laugh. These poems constantly remind you of taking turns with the poetic words “You read to me, I’ll read to you” at the end of every poem. The poems are quick and fun with rhyme placed thoughtfully with every turn taken. The readers know it is their turn when the color of the text changes. This attribute is very important for the poem to keep its natural pace.
            Michael Emberly has drawn colorful playful characters (animals and people) and brought them to life. In every picture you see that there are two characters that are pictured with a book. He once again has helped infuse the thought of sharing in order to complete the poem.

Hop and Skip

I like to hop!
            I like to skip!
But sometimes
When I hop,
I trip.
            And sometimes
            When I skip,
            I slip.
                        And sometimes then
                        Our clothes might rip.

Excerpt/Poem Introduction
As a teacher or librarian, I would try to get a few copies of each of Ms. Hoberman’s books. Pair reading is a great way for students to share and help one another. As a librarian I would pair up with a second grade class to do a poetry read of the book. The librarian and teacher could even keep a box of props handy for students to integrate them into their poem re-telling. We could invite lower grades to a special production of
“You Read to me, I’ll Read to You”. As the librarian I would hope to grab the interest of fellow teachers by doing this presentation.

THE POET SLAVE OF CUBA ~ Biography

THE POET SLAVE OF CUBA
A BIOGRAPHY OF
Juan Francisco Manzano
Art By: Sean Qualls

Engle, Margarita, and Sean Qualls. The poet slave of Cuba: a biography of Juan Francisco Manzano. New York: Henry Holt, 2006.

ISBN: 0805077065

Summary:

The Poet Slave of Cuba is about Juan Francisco Manzano written in verse by Margarita Engle. Ms. Engle has purposefully captured a biography by using specific detailed situations and then implementing the thoughts of the slave by calling those versus “Juan”. This technique of writing takes the reader through the beginning of often cruel situations but then allows the reader to hear internal thoughts that are made in those circumstances. The writings of the verses are done with great conviction you can feel the pain of Juan, he’s scared of the whip but is delighted when he meets his freedom and muse.

The illustrations by Sean Qualls are haunting. They depict sadness and a life I do not think any free person would want to live. Not one sketch had a person smiling, but still the art compliments the biography beautifully.

An excerpt from “The Poet Slave of Cuba”
La Marquesade Prado Ameno

I let the sad poet-boy imagine
that soon he will be free.
that way he learns many crafts
preparing himself
for the future
as a tailor
like his father
or a pastry chef
working with sugar or chocolate instead of ink.

Juan
I let her imagine
that I do not have
 an inkwell
made of eggshell
given to me
by her own son
along with a quill
for writing secrets

 Excerpt/Poem Introduction
This entire book is a fabulous depiction of ones journey of slavery!This excerpt would be powerful to use  5^th grade students (end of the school year) they can easily imagine what slavery was like or even the feeling of being owned. It is a great reminder of how we live in a different time where slavery no longer exists (at least not in the U.S.). In elementary school the community constantly tells students that no one owns them, they make decisions with free will and while adults guide them right now they will serve as their own censor in life. This excerpt or book would be an excellent read aloud for older students to internalize and share thoughts about freedom with the guidance of a librarian or teacher.

iNSECTLOPEDiA ~ Science

iNSECTLOPEDiA
POEMS AND PAiNTiNGS BY
Douglas Florian

Florian, Douglas. Insectlopedia: poems and paintings. San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1998.

ISBN: 0152013067

Summary:

“iNSECTLOPEDiA”  written and illustrated by Douglas Florian  is a must read for anyone who is interested in insects. From caterpillars, spiders to everyone’s favorite mosquitoes there is a poem. There is also an abundance of rhythm and rhyme for every poetic description of each insect. This is a pleasurable easy read for all.

            The paintings created by Douglas Florian for this book are magical and capture the spirit of each insect. There are muted colors with a pop of an enriched vibrant color for your eye to focus on. Each illustration compliments the poem perfectly.

The Army Ants

Left

            Right

Left

            Right

We’re army ants.

We swarm.

            We fight.

We have no home.

We roam.

We race.

You’re lucky if

We miss your place.

Poem Introduction

I know as a teacher the many ways a book like “iNSECTLOPEDiA” can be used, it is wonderful for introducing insects in science. This poem about army ants I picture doing with my kindergarten and 1^st grade students. I can imagine us chanting and physically putting our right leg down as we say “right” and our left leg when we chant “left”.

With other grades (2^nd-3^rd) I would ask after reading the poem “What do army ants do? I would then write Army Ants on butcher paper and create a list of responses to place on the wall. Then I would read another poem from the book and do the same activity.

You could have these students compare and contrast insects merely by reading Mr. Florian’s poetry. However, you may decide to use this book of poetry as a spring board for more in depth discovery of insects.

America is... ~ Social Studies

America is...
Written by : Louise Borden
Illustrated by: Stacey Schuett



Borden, Louise, and Stacey Schuett. America is-- . New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2002.

ISBN: 0689839006

 Summary:
America is… a look at everything we love as Americans. Ms. Borden uses the open ended idea to explore all that we find fascinating about America. Schools are in every state and so are horizons and freedom. There are different ways to live in America, large buildings or rural land, but all of these places are still America. The author takes time to point out what “America is” in every location making natural commections for the reader.  The reader will enjoy hearing about all the attributes America gives us and why we should take time to remember that we are free.

The illustrations created by Stacey Schuett are quite beautiful and help depict the message of the words written by Ms. Borden. The story begins with a landscape of the New York harbor with the Statue of Liberty looming in the back and ends with a picture of two children placing a U.S. map on the wall.

An excerpt from “America is…”
America is…A flag of stars and stripes.
Fifty stars for the fifty states we have now.
Thirteen stripes for the thirteen states
That begins with our nation.

 Excerpt/Poem Introduction
This book and especially this poem is a great representation of citizenship for our primary and intermediate students. As a lesson the librarian or teacher can grab a large piece of chart paper and write the words “America is…”. This sentiment should grab the students’ attention as they ponder what that means , what is America to you? or what is America? Then as the facilitator you can ask for an answer and jot down ideas. My guess would be you will get different responses from each grade level. This activity can become an instant bulletin board or word cloud. Students love to see their work in the hallway!

CANTABA LA RANA - THE FROG WAS SINGING

CANTABA LA RANA - THE FROG WAS SINGING
selleccion y arreglos/
selection and arrangements by
Rita Rosa Ruesga

ilustraciones/illustrated by

Soledad Sebatiastián

Ruesga, Rita Rosa, and Soledad Sebastián. Cantaba la rana The frog was singing / selected and arranged by Rita Rosa Ruesga ; illustrated by Soledad Sebastián.. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2011.

ISBN: 9780545273572


Summary:

CANTABA LA RANA, THE FROG WAS SINGING is a tribute to the poetry that most Hispanic children have heard at least once in their life. Even English speakers will enjoy these loved Spanish nursery rhymes from Latin America as Rita Rosa Ruesga has mainstreamed the poetry by translating each poem. A surprising quality to each poem is that a musical tune accompanies it. The reader can feel the beat embedded in each poem as they read it in Spanish or English.

The illustrations by Soledad Sebastián are in step with art typical of Latin America. Each piece of art for enhances every poem with vivid tones of red, green, purple and blue. The pictures are significant enough to hang as art in a classroom, library or home.

 Señora Santana ~ Mrs. Santana

Señora Santana,por que llora el niño
¿por una manzana?
que se ha perdido.
yo le daré una,
yo daré dos,
una para el niño
y otro para vos.

Dear Mrs. Santana,
Why is the child crying?
Because of an apple,
I think he just lost it.
I will give him one,
I will give him two,
One is for the boy,
The other one’s for you.

 Excerpt/Poem Introduction
This poem starts off with crying and ends with a smile. Any student will feel the natural connection and fall into a rhythm as they clap, chant, or sing this tune. So, ¡Grab your maracas! Or collaborate with the music teacher; she can help you get the tune to this well loved lullaby from Spain. Your K-2 students will appreciate the poem even more if you act it out with them and all share an apple treat in the end. Students in grades 3-5 will identify with the idea of being kind and why that is important in daily life. (they get some apple too as a reminder to be helpful and kind.)

Tap Dancing on The Roof

Tap Dancing on The Roof
SIJO (Poems)
By Linda Sue Park

Park, Linda Sue, and Istvan Banyai. Tap dancing on the roof: sijo (poems). New York: Clarion Books, 2007.

ISBN:9780618234837

Summary

Sijo is a Korean form of poetry much like Japanese haiku it to uses syllabic structure. Tap Dancing On The Roof authored by Linda Sue Park is a great example of how a Sijo poem is written in English. The poems in the book vary greatly first discussing school, months, nightfall and souvenirs to name a few. As you read the poetry you begin to notice how a stress on certain syllables becomes obvious of the poems structure. The first line in a Sijo poem introduces subject, the second line elaborates and the third contains a interesting twist on the subject. Fun and clever Ms. Park does a wonderful job at representing this kind of poetry.

The illustrations done by Istvan Banyaiare obtuse, but still convey the excitement of each poem. Sijo is an intelligent well thought out poem of syllables and the pictures that accompany them follow the same line.

Word Watch

Jittery seems a nervous word:

snuggle curls up around itself..

Some words fir their meaning so well:

Abrupt. Airy. And my favorite---

Sesquipedalian,

Which means: having lots of syllables.

Poem Introduction

A great introduction about how words make you feel. A librarian could center a lesson on adjectives around this poem. Imagine when read with vigor and animated voice intonation. This would be quite meaningful to various age groups. You can ask the question how does jittery make you feel? Students will enjoy becoming part of the poem if asked to explain or act it out. The librarian or teacher can also decide to count syllables by clapping to integrate math into the equation of poetry.

HATE THAT CAT a novel

HATE THAT CAT a novel
Author: Sharon Creech

 

Creech, Sharon. Hate that cat . New York: Joanna Cotler Books, 2008.

ISBN:9780061430923

Summary:
“Hate that Cat” is a continuation of “Love that Dog” both penned by the creative author Sharon Creech.. In this verse novel we find Jack in a new room with the same teacher Miss Stretchberry. Although, Jack is a year older he is happy to have a teacher that understands how his mind works.  For any reader discovering this book as a stand alone is an enjoyable find. Sharon Creech has rhythmic vocabulary while putting a special flare on Jack’s reality.  Jack in through Ms. Creech’s writing refers to metaphors, onomatopoeia and alliteration with ease. By the end of the novel you understand the love for a mother, the enjoyment of school and a disdain for a cat..

ONOMATOPOEIA
Made my ears frizzle
 Today.
All the buzz, buzz, buzz
and
pop! pop! pop!
and
drip and tinkle and trickle---
the sounds are still buzzing and popping
in my head (p19)

Excerpt/Poem Introduction

You can just hear and see the sounds in this excerpt of the novel. What a great way to introduce how poetry can literally be music to the ears. POP! DRIP! BUZZZZZZZZZZZ! This excerpt would be a great start for a class to think about the importance of sound words make. After reading the excerpt the librarian/ teacher can discuss what onomatopoeia is and then start a list of words that have the characteristics of onomatopoeia. After the discussion she can challenge the class to create their own poetry using the words listed or new ones not shared. Since the books talks about metaphors and alliteration could be used as a start to all of those topics.

I HEARD A BLUEBIRD SING

I HEARD A BLUEBIRD SING

CHILDREN SELECT THEIR FAVORITE POEMS BY

AILEEN FISHER
ILLUSTRATIONS:  JENNIFER EMERY
EDITOR: BERNICE E. CULLINAN



Fisher, Aileen, Bernice E. Cullinan, and Jennifer Emery. I heard a bluebird sing: children select their favorite poems. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyd Press, 2002.
ISBN: 9781563971914

Summary
I HEARD A BLUEBIRD SING is a journey through a poets writing and in turn her life. Poems about family, pets, and wonders that life has for us to question. This book of poetry is a true timeline of a poet you can actually think about what she was thinking at the time of writing the poetry. When she writes of birthdays,climbing,fairy tales, growing the reader naturally thinks of their own childhood and doing some of those exact things with their family. Each poem has a touch of realism that every reader will identify with.

The hand drawn illustrations done by Ms. Emery are perfect! Each smile and frown compliment the poet's intention. My personal favorite was the little girl carrying a platter full of treats and the poem is titled "IF I WERE MY MOTHER", I could picture myself doing that!

NCTE-Award Winning Poet

Butterfly Wings
How would it be
on a day in June
to open your eyes
in a dark cocoon,

And soften one end
and crawl outside,
and find that you had wings
to open wide,

And find you could fly
to a bush or tree
or float on the air
like a boat at sea....

How would it BE?

Poem Introduction
This poem would be a great way to introduce the life cycle of a butterfly for K-2nd, but I think for the older grades it is a wonderful writing on change. The emotion of being hesitant while still knowing that change is inevitable and what does one do when that happens? I just can see this poem being used in so many ways, it seems deeper each time I read it.

COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, and MARS

COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, and MARS
SPACE POEMS AND PAINTINGS
BY: Douglas Florian





Florian, Douglas. Comets, stars, the Moon, and Mars: space poems and paintings. Orlando: Harcourt, 2007.
ISBN: 9780152053727

Summary
Douglas Florian is a word smith as well as an artist. COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, and MARS is an excellent representation of writing about a subject that interests you. Mr. Florian captures the essence of every planet by giving the reader an insight that surrounds the mystique of the universe and its insides. He often finds a rhythm with each poem that is guided with subtle rhyming through out the book.

The illustrations created are simple and divine. The color palette is an interesting blend of muted colors with space words written on each landscape.

* This book was also a bluebonnet nominee in 2008-09

The Solar System

Each planet orbits around the sun
(A somewhat circular path).
To calculate the time it takes
Requires lots of math.

Astronomers know the plan well,
Each mountain, ring, and moon.
But none has ever gone to one,
Nor will go to one soon.

Poem / Book Introduction
When reading this book all I could think of was how each poem would be a wonderful introduction to studying the Solar System. Start with the poem I chose then move on to which ever planet catches your fancy when teaching. I know that planets are a huge part of curriculum in the schools and this book is a must have in the classroom. A librarian could just read the poem and then ask, "Which planet is it about?" This lesson would be thought provoking, great practice for taking notes (For instance, planet 7 , gaseous like Neptune but on its side?, I can just see the wheels turning in heads, Uranus of coarse.)

YUM! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué Rico! America's Sproutings

Haiku By: Pat Mora
Pictures By: Rafael Lopez





Citation
Mora, Pat, and Rafael López. Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué rico!: Americas' sproutings. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc., 2007.

ISBN: 97814302711
Summary
If you have ever wondered where some of the most well known fruits,vegetables or food find their origin you need to read Pat Mora's delicious haiku's on America's Sproutings. This book not only gives you fantastic poetry, but it lends itself to factual information about the fruit in question. For instance every one's favorite, chocolate claims its origin in Central and South America, I love that although a book of poetry it has interesting facts. Pat Mora playfully brings each subject to memory by following the rules of haiku. Love the fact that you can enjoy pineapple, but next time someone asks you where it came from you can answer Paraguay!

Rafael López takes each poem any further with his lively illustrations that depict family members or fruit having a great time. My personal favorite is the illustration that accompanies the papaya; a little girl taking a bite , a boy swinging from a tree to grab a fresh papaya and colorful animals all around.

PINEAPPLE
A stiff, spiky hat
on thick prickly skin, inside
hide syrupy rings.

Poem/Book Introduction
This book and it's poetry would be a fun way to introduce geography. Read the poem while students have their eyes closed and then have them guess what the fruit is and where it originates from. Place a map at the front of the library and place a mark on all guesses. Discuss with the students further why they think it is a certain food and also why they think that the food originated there? End the lesson passing out a piece of pineapple and marking correct places they might have missed.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SCHOOL Classroom Poems

Selected by: Jack Prelutsky
Illustration by: Jane Manning

Prelutsky, Jack, and Jane Manning. There's no place like school: classroom poems. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2010.

ISBN: 970060823382

Summary:

Jack Prelutsky has once again collected poems that all school age children and adults who remember school can relate to. This collection of poetry is a look into the inter workings of a true day of school.  The poems are clever and witty and will only make you smile and nod your head in agreement. The poets featured are definite up and comers or names you already recognize in the world of poetry so take notice of some of the names (Lee Bennet Hopkins, Kay Winters,Carol Diggory Shields and many more including Jack Prelutsky).

The illustrations by Jane Manning take a life of their own with scenes from school that once again will have you laughing.I especially loved the picture of "When the Teacher Isn't Looking"  by: Kenn Nesbitt. (timeless).

It's Today?

By: Sara Holbrook

Frantic,

panic,

sinking,

sorrow,

The science test

is not

tomorrow.

Poem/Book Introduction

This book could be used in so many ways through out the year in the library. You can practically post up one of the poems every week, so children can enjoy,laugh and smile. It's Today? would be a great starter in a collaboration with a science teacher. I know as a librarian I have helped with many investigations in the science lab unearthing answers and asking new questions. The poem will have students smiling and thinking about those feelings of just finding out about a test will happen as you walk in; this is a great ice-breaker!

The Sun Is So Quiet

By: Nikki Giovanni
Illustrations By: Ashley Bryan

Giovanni, Nikki, and Ashley Bryan. The sun is so quiet . New York: Henry Holt, 1996.
ISBN: 0805041193

Summary:
The Sun is So Quiet is a beautiful collection that helps the reader be reminded that the sun is always there bringing them warmth and giving life and energy to all it touches. The sun is an entity that is always around even though not written in every poem, it is a silent theme. Seasons such as winter and spring are written about and characterized in the colorful illustrations by Ashly Brown (he brings each poem to life). This collection of poetry includes thoughtful memories of life.

Winter

Frogs burrow in the mud
snails bury themselves
and I air my quilts
preparing for the cold

Dogs grow more hair
mothers make oatmeal
and little boys and girls
take Father John's medicine

Bears store fat
chipmunks gather nuts
and I collect books
for the coming winter

Poem Introduction
This poem would be great introduction to the season of winter in all the grades I teach. In K-2 to talk about the season of winter and hibernation  and in 3rd-5th have an open discussion about change in a general sense and what is the author talking about in different part of the poem. I can think of all the ideas that my students have about what Winter and change means to them; this will be a great poem and book to share.

CITY I LOVE

POEMS BY LEE BENNETT HOPKINS
ILLUSTRATED BY MARCELLUS HALL

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. City I Love. Ill by Marcellus Hall. New York: Abrams for Young Readers in Association with the Field Museum, 2009. Print.

 ISBN: 9780810983274

Summary:

City I Love takes the reader of poetry on an exciting journey through cities around the world. Even though not one city is mentioned by name you get an immediate sense that travel has been this author's companion. The landscapes or should I say sky-scape's give you an immediate feeling of city life in different parts of the world. The author of the poems uses his words to help you visualize the picture of the city whether in America or India just close your eyes and listen to the words you are reading. Lee Bennet Hopkins has written poems that take you on an adventure even if you are never able to visit these bustling cities.

Taxi

You stand

 on a corner

yelling

   "Taxi!"

      "Taxi!"

knowing

deep

inside

taxi cabs

never

stop

on

rainy

days.

(what city could you picture?)

Poem Introduction

 This poem will be a great way to show students they can visualize word meaning. That words are written often to depict scenery, emotion and sounds. Wonderful for 4th grade when exploring elaboration in writing, this book will really make students stop and think if they let the words lead.