Poetry Friday - A review of Hip Hop Speaks to children: A Celebration of Poetry with a beat

I must confess that I know very little about hip hop music and I don't listen to much of it. I was therefore very surprised when I read this book and found out that for some people hip hop is basically poetry with a beat. I found this book very interesting and loved the way some truly lovely poetry was given a new dimension by having bright rhythms added to it. 

Hip Hop Speaks to children: A Celebration of Poetry with a beat

Edited by Nikki Giovanni
Poetry
For ages 9 to 12
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 1997, 978-1402210488
   For many young people poetry is a form of the written word that they find a little intimidating. There is one format in which poetry is familiar and comfortable – the nursery rhyme, especially when it is set to music. Three Blind Mice, and other similar rhymes are now staples in many nurseries. But what about older children? Is there a musical poetry format for them too? There is. Many musical genres have lyrics that rhyme but there is one that is particularly attractive to the young – hip hop.

   In this unique book the editor has collected many kinds of poems which could all, quite easily, be set to music. Just add a drum or a tambourine to provide a beat, and you are off creating a unique rhyming song of your own. Or you can listen to the CD that comes with the book to see how some famous performers have taken a rhyme and turned it into hip hop.

   The poems included in the book were written by a very diverse group of people including Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Eloise Greenfield, Gary Soto, and Walter Dean Meyers. Then there are the musicians who have written poems, including Queen Latifah, Aesop Rock, and Young MC.

   The poems are about a variety of subjects, many of which have a powerful and meaningful message. Tupac Shakur writes about a rose "that grew from the concrete." Nikki Giovanni'sThe Rosa Parks encourages children to "do the rosa parks" and "shame the bad / comfort the good." The words a simple, punchy, and to the point, and they remind children that they are the ones who can make the world a better place.

   On the CD some of the poems are read by the poet, while others are read/sung by someone else. For example, in the book there is an extract from Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech. You can hear Martin himself read the speech and then you can hear a version of it that is set to a rap beat. For some of the poems there is an introduction to help readers better understand the poems and their origins.

   At the back of the book readers can find out more about the poets and musicians who contributed to the book.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and sixteen

Not many people go for rides in the country anymore, which is rather a shame In today's picture book you can take a little drive with Mr. Gumpy and his friends, and enjoy a simple adventure that is amusing and very satisfying as well. 

Mr. Gumpy’s Motor Car

John Burningham

Picture book and CD

For ages 4 to 6

Random House UK, 2011, 978-1-849-41285-8

   Mr. Gumpy is going for a drive in his motor car. It is a lovely day and when they see him drive by, the children, the rabbit, the cat, the dog, the pig, the sheep, the chickens, the calf and the goat all ask if they too can go for a drive too. Even though it is going to be “a squash,” Mr. Gumpy agrees to take everyone with him.

   For a while, the trip is perfect. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and Mr. Gumpy decides to drive down a cart-track. Unfortunately, the weather suddenly changes. It begins to rain and Mr. Gumpy has to hop out of the car to put up the hood. The road gets more and more muddy and the car starts to slip and slide as the wheels spin. Somebody is going to have to get out of the car to push it. The thing is that no one wants to get out in the rain and mud. What are they going to do?

   In this entertaining and amusing picture book, John Burningham shows to great effect that there are times when everyone has to pitch in to help, even if they don’t want to.

   For children who like to listen to stories, this title includes a CD. Sylvester McCoy narrates the story, and his narrative is accompanied by music and sound effects. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and fifteen

There are times when most of wish we could have a little peace and quiet. We don't want to share our space with anyone else, or we only want to share our space with certain people. In today's picture book you will meet some cows who have a great deal of difficulty keeping all the other farm animals out of the barn that they feel should be theirs and theirs alone.

Only Cows Allowed

Lynn Plourde

Illustrated by Rebecca Harrison Reed

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Down East, 2011, 978-089272790-2

   A young man has bought a farm, and though he does not know much about farming or farm animals, he gets some cows to live in his barn. The cows love their new accommodation so much that they decide that they and they alone will live in the barn. Quickly they make a sign that reads “ONLY COWS ALLOWED!”

   When the chickens arrive, they are very annoyed to see the sign. They have every right to live in the barn if they want to. In an effort to produce milk - so that the cows will accept them - the chickens lay a prodigious number of eggs. The farmer is delighted and the chickens know that the cows will have to accept them now. The chickens make themselves at home and all is well until some more animals arrive. The cows are determined to keep them out of the barn, but will they be able to?

   Young readers are sure to be amused by this clever picture book. They will meet some very strong-minded cows who are determined to have their own way. The deliciously funny ending is sure to delight children who have a fondness for surprises.  

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and fourteen

We grownups sometimes convince ourselves that we know all the answers because we know the rules. Not surprisingly it often turns out that we don't know all that much after all. Not even close. When we start learning how to listen and how to observe (rather than spouting silly rules) we get along a lot better with everyone, especially children.

In today's book you will meet an exceptionally silly adult who does not know how to listen at all. What a mess she makes of things. 

The hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher goes to school

Laurie Halse Anderson

Illustrated by Ard Hoyt

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Simon and Schuster, 2009, 978-0-689-85809-3

   Zoe Fleefenbacker has extraordinary hair. It is bright red in color and there is so much of it that when she was little, Zoe’s parents have to buy two strollers. One for Zoe and one for her hair. Zoe’s hair is “wild and beautiful.” It has a mind of its own, and when Zoe is in kindergarten, her teacher, Mrs. Broghag is quite happy to let Zoe’s hair help out in the classroom.

   Then Zoe goes to first grade, the first grade teacher, Ms. Trisk, strongly believes in rules. She will not allow “wild hair” to run rampant in her class. Ms. Trisk puts Zoe in time out, and then she tries to control Zoe’s hair, which is not at all a good idea because Zoe’s hair does not like to be controlled.

   Ms. Trisk insists on a meeting between herself, the principal, Zoe’s parents, and Zoe. The adults decide that Zoe’s hair has to be “tamed. The problem is that no one bothers to ask Zoe her opinion.

   All too often adults don’t listen to their children. They are far too busy inflicting rules on them to even consider that children might have something to say that is worth hearing. This book shows to great effect that the best scenario is when adults and children work together. With humor and glorious illustrations that are full of “wild and beautiful” red hair, the author and illustrator give young readers a tale that is both amusing and memorable. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and thirteen

Today I have a book for you that is quite unique. You will meet a cat who wants to dine on a mouse, and a mouse who does not want to become someone's dinner. Readers of all ages will be able to appreciate the situation the cat and the mouse find themselves in, and they will be able to laugh at the clever way in which the problem is resolved.

Mr. Maxwell’s Mouse

Frank Asch

Illustrations by Devin Asch

Picture Book

Ages 6 and up

Kids Can Press, 2004, 1-55337-486-X

   Mr. Maxwell is feeling in a celebratory mood. He has just been promoted, and when he arrives at his usual restaurant for lunch he decides to treat himself to a delicacy that he has not had in a long time – raw mouse. Mr. Maxwell soon finds himself face to face with his lunch, a very polite and very verbose mouse who has impeccable manners and who seems to know a great deal about the finer things in life.

   Mr. Maxwell is at first irritated by this mouse who keeps interrupting his meal. If only the creature would just be quiet and allow Mr. Maxwell to eat it. Instead the mouse has to say a prayer, he congratulates Mr. Maxwell on his promotion, and he even advises him as to what kind of wine he should have to drink.

   It isn’t before Mr. Maxwell finds himself quite unable to cut into this highly talented mouse. The two have become far too well acquainted to make the dining part of the arrangement easy

   This wonderful tongue in cheek tale has us rooting for the mouse with all our hearts and souls. Surely the clever little creature is not going to get eaten after all that he has been through. Dark and subdued computer created artwork beautifully captures the mood in the author’s cat-eat-mouse world.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book two hundred and twelve

Many of us go through life wanting more. We want a bigger house, a better car, a boat, a pool, a new ipod. We hanker for these things, but we really don't need them. In today's picture book you will meet a family who keep adding to their home not because they want more for the sake of wanting more. Instead, they need more space because they want to provide for others. They want to give a home to people who really need it.

Making Room

Joanne Taylor

Illustrated by Peter Rankin

Picture Book

Ages 5 to 7

Tundra Books, 2004, 0-88776-651-X

   It all begins very simply when John William Smith builds himself a home on the top of a hill overlooking a lovely valley. It is just a one room affair, and it is all John needs until he starts to feel lonely. It isn’t long before John has brought a young wife, Annie, to his home on the hill. Annie is a wonderful wife who takes very good care of John. Over time the couple need more room, and John gets out his tool box and begins to build; first there is a pantry, then a nursery, then some bedrooms for John’s parents who are coming to live with them. More and more people are added to this family, people down on their luck, people in need of a home and companionship, and people whom John and Annie kindly take into their hearts.

   The house gets larger and larger until John’s wife says “I think we need…another house added on to this one.”  And so the family continues to grow.

   The goodness and generosity of John and Annie is heart-warming and reassuring, for we cannot help noticing that all the relatives and friends who move in are people who are in need of help and a home. As we read this picture book, we watch the family grow and expand, we see more and rooms being added so that there is place for the new arrivals. Based on the true story of a Cape Breton family, “Making Room” is a very special book indeed.

  

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and eleven

Every so often I find a picture book that has a universal message that I think everyone, including adults, can appreciate. Today's picture book is just such a title. The book is full of gorgeous art, and it has a story that conveys an idea that should be important to all of us.

The Three Questions

Jon J. Muth

Picture Book

Ages  and up

Scholastic, 2003, 0-439-19996-4

   Nikolai wants very much to be a good person, but sometimes he is not always sure how to go about being such a person. He has three questions for which he wishes he had the answers. He is sure that if he had the answers he would be able to “always know what to do.” Nikolai then tells his three friends what his three questions are: “When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?” They listen carefully to the boy, and then they tell him what they think the answers are. Each of Nikolai’s friends (a heron called Sonya, a monkey called Gogol, and a dog called Pushkin) have different answers, and though he appreciates hearing their words, Nikolai cannot help feeling that “their answers didn’t seem quite right.”

   So Nikolai goes to see Leo the turtle who is very old and wise and who may know the answers to the three questions. Nikolai experiences many adventures and dangers. He finds himself helping others who need his aid, and doing so gives him great pleasure. Helping others also helps him to understand the nature of his questions, and the answers to them.

   This wonderful version of a story told by Leo Tolstoy is powerful and heart-warming. We are reminded that the important things in life are often the things that are right in front of us. All we have to do is look into our hearts and the answers will come.

   With glorious watercolour paintings that have a definite Asian influence to them, “The Three Questions” is a book which can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. The author provides a note at the back of the book to explain the book and how he came to create it.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book two hundred and ten

One of the joys, and trials, of being a parent or a teacher is that your child is constantly bombarding you with questions. Every day you need to find answers to queries, and often you have no clue what the answers are. Thank goodness for encyclopedias, search engines, and Wikipedia.Without them we adults would be up a creek without a canoe or a paddle.

Today's picture book uses humor and word play to celebrate a child's curiosity and his never ending search to find out why or how, who or what. 

Boy Wonders

Calef Brown

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 8

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-1-4169-7877-0

   I’d like to introduce you to a boy who has lots of “questions,” “queries,” and “odd theories.” His mind is forever wandering because there are so many things to know. For example “Do onions cry?” and “Do taffy pullers ever push and make a glob of sticky mush?” and “Are crabs befuddled when plans get scuttled?”

   What is a person to do when his head is so full of unknowns, so many puzzling queries that seem to have no answer? Should such a person become “frazzled” because he is so baffled by so many things?

   In this unique and quite addictive book, Calef Brown takes a look at boy whose head is quite literally stuffed with unanswered questions. Many are downright ridiculous and they are deliciously funny. Others are thought provoking and involve a clever play on words. Using gorgeous language that rhymes in interesting ways, Calef Brown shows his readers how you can play with words to get interesting effects.

   Throughout the book, Calef Brown’s colorful and unusual paintings provide a perfect backdrop to the narrative.

Poetry Friday - A review of Red sings from the treetops: A year in colors

Every so often I come across a book of poetry that is so wonderful that I find myself picking the book up and dipping into it on a regular basis. Today's title is just such a book, and if you are the kind of person who loves beautiful language that is rich in imagery, then this is the book for you.

Red sings from the treetops: A year in colors

Joyce Sidman

Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

Poetry Picture book

For ages 6 and up

Houghton Mifflin, 2009, 978-0-547-01494-4

   Nature is full of colors, and if you take the time to look around, you will come to appreciate the bright reds, yellows, blues, and purples around you. In this gorgeous image-filled picture book, Joyce Sidman explores the changing seasons in terms of the colors that we can explore with all of our senses.

   She begins with spring, when red birds sing as they perch in the treetops “each note dropping / like a cherry / into my ear.” This is the time when pansies “beam at each other / with bright velvet faces” that are yellow and purple.

   In summer, the heat of yellow radiates off everything. Tiny hummingbirds with red throats “darts, jags, / hovers” in the garden. In the evenings, the shadows creep across the land so slowly that one barely notices they are there until everything is tinged with purple.

   In this fabulous book, Joyce Sidman’s incredibly powerful poems are perfectly paired with Pamela Zagarenski’s lovely multimedia artwork. Joyce shows us how colors can be smelled, touched, and heard as well as seen. She gives us a sensory journey that we will be happy to come back to again and again as the seasons unfold around us.

   Readers of all ages will love this award-winning book. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and nine

When we read most picture books we are an audience, and we are outside the tale looking in. We don't really interact with the characters. In today's picture book the situation is somewhat different. The story evolves before our eyes, and one of the characters very definitely does not want us to observe what he is doing. This makes reading Don't read this book! a rather unique experience. 

Don’t read this book!

Jill Lewis

Illustrated by Deborah Allwright

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Tiger Tales, 2010, 978-1-58925-094-9

   The King has commissioned his story writer to write a new story for him, and he is not at all pleased because the story is not ready. When the story writer arrives at the palace, the poor fellow explains that he has lost the notes that he wrote about the story. The title is in place though. No, actually only half the title is legible because the paper on which it was written somehow got torn. The story writer and the King know that the title begins with “The Princess and the…” What is the rest of the title?

   Eager to find the missing piece of paper with the other half of the title on it, the King and his story writer travel to Beanstalk Crossroads, which is where the story writer was just a short time ago. They don’t find the title, but they do find some of the story writer’s notes, and the King finds out that his story “begins with a storm” and there is a princess and a king. This is certainly a good start, but where is the rest of the story? Oh, and who is the stranger who is spying on the King and the story writer?

   Readers of all ages are sure to enjoy this incredibly funny and very unique book. Readers will find themselves being pulled (almost literally) into the story. They will have to deal with a very angry king who does not want them to read the story. In fact, he becomes quite belligerent about it and he even threatens to throw us into prison. Thankfully the king is trapped on the pages and he cannot do anything to stop the reader from doing exactly what he or she wants to do. So, if you want to turn the page, go right ahead!