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.