A POCKETFUL OF POEMS by Nikki Grimes

A POCKETFUL OF POEMS by Nikki Grimes

Book Review: Poetry
A POCKETFUL OF POEMS by Nikki Grimes

Bibliography
Grimes, Nikki. 2001. A POCKETFUL OF POEMS. Ill. By Javaka Steptoe. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395938686

Plot Summary
Tiana pulls words from her pocket which are the inspiration for Nikki Grimes’ paired poems, which are lyrical free verse and haiku. Words such as Shower, Caterpillar, and Snow come of out Tiana’s pocket and then are transformed into sweet selections of poems that depict the urban outlook of life in the inner city. The highly visual collage illustrations complement Grimes’ poems. Every reader will be mesmerized by the wide range of materials used in each collage.

Critical Analysis
Grimes provides two poems per page, one in free verse, the other in haiku. Reading the haiku’s engages the reader by interesting text that is often slanted, curved, squiggly, and wavy. The poem titled “Hot” provides sensory imagery, as do many of Grimes’ poems. “Hot is a thirsty word that wakes me from a deep sleep. I leave my dreams and stumble to the kitchen. I place the word in the sink, then turn the cold water on full-blast”. The illustrations are a direct collaboration with the text. Steptoe creates Tiana from continual outlines made from construction paper. Her collages are mixed-media that are created with vivid colors. Steptoe uses ribbon, toothpicks, tin pie pans, lace, and string among many other items in her illustrations. This book hums with energy and is a fabulous book to sit and share!

Review Excerpts
“A playful and thoroughly successful pairing of words and pictures”. School Library Journal

"There's so much vibrant energy and freshness in this collaboration, the book will dance into the hearts of children right away." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review

Connections
Invite children to write their own haiku and illustrate them with mixed media supplies.

*Other haiku books:
Berry, Eileen. HAIKU ON YOUR SHOE. ISBN 1591663741
Chaikin, Miriam. DON’T STEP ON THE SKY: A HANDFUL OF HAIKU. ISBN 0805064745

Davis, Daniel. CAUGHT CREATURES. ISBN 0977417301

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IN AUNT GIRAFFE'S GREEN GARDEN by Jack Prelutsky

IN AUNT GIRAFFE’S GREEN GARDEN by Jack Prelutsky

Book Review: Poetry
IN AUNT GIRAFFE’S GREEN GARDEN by Jack Prelutsky

Bibliography
Pretlutsky, Jack. 2007. IN AUNT GIRAFFE’S GREEN GARDEN. Ill. By Petra Mathers. China: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0066238684

Plot Summary
With over 40 books of poetry, author Jack Prelutsky continues to delight readers both young and old with this collection of twenty-eight silly poems! Travelers will enjoy “Ten Mice Went To Denver” and “There Was A Man In Mexico” along with the numerous other geographical themes featuring animals and children. Be ready to sit and smile as you journey through this peppy book of prose!

Critical Analysis
This book is best read aloud to hear the rhyming couplets and silly lines! The poem titled “Peter Ate A Pound Of Pudding” shows a child who has no desire to eat spinach. “Peter ate a pound of pudding and a pumpkin pie, Peter ate a layer cake eleven inches high. Peter ate a cookie that was bigger than his cat. He never ate his spinach- Peter had no room for that”. Any mother with children will relate to this charming poem. The illustrations on each double page spread are bright watercolor paintings which fit perfectly with the lighthearted collection of poems. Sharing Prelutsky’s whimsical poems with children will be a delightfully, silly way to pass an afternoon!

Review Excerpts
“A lighthearted, high-spirited collection for sharing any time, in groups or one-on-one”. From Booklist

“This truly wonderful collection is a must-have for libraries. Librarians, teachers, and parents will turn to it again and again”. School Library Journal

Connections
Using a US map, pinpoint the areas mentioned in the book.
Students may copy and illustrate their favorite poem from this collection.

*Other poetry books by Jack Prelutsky:
Prelutsky, Jack. FOR LAUGHING OUTLOUD: POEMS TO TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE. ISBN 0394821440
Prelutsky, Jack. THE FROGS WORE RED SUSPENDERS. ISBN 0688167195

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OUT OF THE DUST by Karen Hesse

OUT OF THE DUST by Karen Hesse

Book Review: Poetry
OUT OF THE DUST by Karen Hesse

Bibliography
Hesse, Karen. 1997. OUT OF THE DUST. Scholastic Publishing. New York. ISBN 0590360809

Plot Summary
Fourteen-year-old Billie Jo narrates this story through her personal journal written in free-verse. Billie Jo writes of the depressing realities of living during the early 1900’s when constant dust storms blow hopes, like a fine dusting of red soil, completely over the plains. Billie Jo finds that all things she holds dear can suddenly be taken away with the wind. Billie Jo’s turmoil and grief include the loss of a parent, sibling, and the gift of music, in addition to the grit that continually buries her soul. Billie Jo finds hope when there appears to be none. She forges forward with a new connection with her father and together they find ways to forgive and move forward into a life that brought hardships and senseless losses.

Critical Analysis
The authors use of free-verse poems in this John Newbery award winning novel, allows the reader to share in the heroine’s thoughts and feelings. Reading the journal entries, a bond is created between the reader and the fictional narrator. Billie Jo’s losses feel real and painful. The triumphs over hardships become joyful celebrations to the reader. Hesse’s choice of book title, OUT OF THE DUST not only depicts the Oklahoma Dust Bowl during the Depression, but can be understood as honoring of hope and inner strength. Hesse’s novel is by no means a lighthearted book of prose poetry but a tribute to a young girl who faces unbelievable tragedies and prevails over years of discontentment.

Review Excerpts
“This intimate novel, written in stanza from, poetically conveys the heat, dust, and wind of Oklahoma. With each meticulously arranged entry Hesse paints a vivid picture of her heroine’s emotions". From Publishers Weekly

“After facing loss after loss during the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, Billie Jo begins to reconstruct her life. A triumphant story, eloquently told through prose-poetry”. From Library School Journal

Connections
Teachers may use OUT OF THE DUST to teach US history regarding the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, one of the major events during the Depression Era.

Compare and contrast the hardships in Billie Jo’s life with the types of hardships students face today. It will be interesting to find similarities between the two eras.

Discuss what life lessons can be learned from OUT OF THE DUST.

Other books depicting hardships during the Depression Era:

Egan, Timothy. THE WORST HARD TIME: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THOSE WHO SURVIVED THE GREAT AMERICAN DUST BOWL. ISBN 0618773479

Henderson, Caroline. LETTERS FROM THE DUST BOWL. ISBN 0806135409

Stanley, Jerry. CHILDREN OF THE DUST BOWL: THE TRUE STORY OF THE SCHOOL AT WEEDPATCH CAMP. ISBN 0517880946

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