Poetry Friday - Polar Bear, Arctic Hare: Poems of the Frozen North

One of my favorite children's book writers is Eileen Spinelli. Not only does she write charming picture books, but she is also a gifted poet. For today's poetry title I have a review of one of her books of poetry for young readers.

Polar Bear, Arctic Hare: Poems of the Frozen North

Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator:  Eugenie Fernandes
Poetry Picture Book
For ages 4 to 8
Boyds Mills Press, 2007, 978-1590783443
When polar bear cubs come out their den in the spring,there are so many things to look at and so many places to explore. There are Arctic bumblebees to sniff at and hopefully not get stung by. There are Arctic terns to watch as they wheel "wings unfurled" and "chasing summer" in the blue skies above. As the summer advances, the sun "plays the part of the moon" refusing to go to bed at night and shining gently on the blooming yellow arctic poppies.

   Though this is clearly a place of extremes, all kinds of animals call the arctic their home. There are herds of "thrumming and drumming" caribou racing across the tundra. Tiny lemmings hide in the snow as large smiling beluga whales slide beneath the ice.

   Using a variety of poetic forms Eileen Spinelli beautifully captures in words the splendor and variety of life that can be found in the "frozen north." Readers will find themselves smiling at some of the poems with their lively and colorful rhymes. Some of the  more thought-provoking poems will capture the imagination, and readers may begin to wonder what it would be like to see a summer Arctic sun, or what it would be like to listen to a choir of wolves howling at an Arctic moon.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and twenty-three

Stella Blackstone's Bear books are one of my favorite series for young readers. Debbie Harter's wonderfully colorful and detailed illustrations are delightful, and the main character, Bear, is a charming fellow. In today's picture book, Stella Blackstone combines a birthday story with exercises in counting backwards.

Bear’s Birthday

Stella Blackstone

Illustrated by Debbie Harter

Picture Book

For ages 3 to 5

Barefoot Books, 2011, 978-1846865152

   It is Bear’s birthday today and he is busy preparing for his party. He blows up ten balloons and soon his nine guests arrive. Bear is holding nine balloons as he greets his guests, but one of the balloons gets loose and floats up into the sky.

   In the house, Bear and his friends play hide-and-seek. Can you find each of the nine bear guests? Oh and look, one of the balloons has escaped out of the window. There are only eight balloons left.

   After playing musical chairs and hunting for treasure outside, two more balloons are gone and the ten bears have only five balloons left. Will there be any balloons left when the party is over?

   In this clever and beautifully illustrated Bear book, children not only get to read about a wonderful birthday celebration, but they also get to count the disappearing balloons, the bear guests and more. In addition they get to follow the antics of Bear’s black and white striped cat who always, somehow, finds a way to be in on the action.

   At the back of the book, children will find a counting exercise to try. Can you find out why the balloons are disappearing, and can you help bear to count down from ten to one?

   This is one in a series of beautiful board and picture books about Bear, his friends and his family.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and twenty-two

Children who want a pet in their lives will go to extremes to get one. They will turn everyday objects into a pet with varying degrees of success. They will bring home other people's pets and say "can we keep him?" Today's picture book tells the story of one little girl's campaign to have a pet of her own. The tale is amusing, sweet, and a joy to read. 

Prudence wants a pet

Cathleen Daly

Illustrated by Stephen Michael King

Picture book

For ages 5 to 7

Macmillan, 2011, 978-1-59643-468-4

   Prudence is a little girl who really really really wants a pet, but her parents refuse to allow her to get one because pets “cost too much” and they “make noise.” Desperate to have a pet, any pet, Prudence gets a pet of her own, and it is a branch. She calls her pet Branch and she takes him all over the place. Then Dad trips up on Branch (who has to stay on the front porch) and after doing so eight times, he breaks Branch “into little bits.”

   Prudence’s next pet is called Twig, which is what he is. He is small enough to fit in her pocket, which is very convenient. Unfortunately, Twig gets washed with Prudence’s dress and he is never seen again, even though Prudence puts up a lost pet sign in the laundry room.

   Again and again Prudence tries to have a pet, and again and again her plan falls through until she finally gives up and takes refuge in the closet. No one seems to understand how she feels.

   Most children, at some point or another, wish that they could have a pet of their own. This delightful picture book pairs a sympathetic story with wonderful illustrations to give children a tale that perfectly captures one little girl’s efforts to find a pet for herself. The story is funny, poignant, and just right.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and twenty-one

Being the new kid in school can be hard. Actually, it can be excruciating if you are a shy. In today's picture book, you will meet a child who is "the new girl," and another little girl who is trying to figure out what the new girl is like. Both children need a friend, and neither one of them knows how to get around the "new girl" barrier.I think this book could really help a child who is trying to adjust to a new school environment.

The new girl…and me

Jacqui Robbins

Illustrations by Matt Phelan

Picture Book

For ages 6 to 8

Simon and Schuster, 2006, 978-0-689-86468-1

    There is a new girl in Mia’s class and her name is Shakeeta. Shakeeta is very shy but she does manage to tell everyone that she has a pet iguana. Ms. Becky, the teacher, tells everyone that they should do what they can to make Shakeeta “feel at home.” All the girls want to show Shakeeta around and then D.J. makes fun of her. Shakeeta tells him that she will punch him in the head. 

   Not wanting to get punched in the head herself, Mia keeps her distance, but she cannot help feeling that Shakeeta cannot possibly be feeling at home. Surely she must be feeling really uncomfortable.

   On the second day at school, things are even worse. D.J tells Shakeeta that she cannot play soccer.  Then he tells her that she looks like an iguana and the whole class laughs. Soon Mia and Shakeeta are alone. What should Mia do now?

   When you are shy and prone to worrying about things, it is not easy to makes friends, and when you are the new kid in a class it is not easy to make friends either. This picture book explores the relationship that develops between two little girls who are lonely and who seemingly have nothing in common.

   With language that will resonate with children, and illustrations that are expressive, this is a picture book that will charm young readers.   

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

Children are often bombarded with demands that they sit up straight, that they don't play with their food, that they work hard at school, and so on. These demands can get very tiring sometimes, and not surprisingly most children wish they lived in a world where they didn't have to be good all the time. After all, what is the point?

In today's picture book, readers will meet a young raccoon who is expected to be bad all the time. What a perfect world you might think. Or could it be that being bad all the time is not as much fun as it sounds. Could it be that being good actually has its perks after all?

School for Bandits

Hannah Shaw

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 7

Random House UK, 2011, 978-1-780-08000-0

   Mr. and Mrs. Raccoon are very upset because their son Ralph is not behaving the way a raccoon should. Instead of being badly behaved, a slob, and a thief, their son is polite, considerate, and kind. At their wits end, Ralph’s parents decide to send him to the School for Bandits. Surely the teacher there will be able to straighten Ralph out and show him how to behave properly.

   Alas for Ralph! He makes a terrible student. He cannot seem to make himself behave badly in any of his classes or exercises. He is so hopeless that at the end of the term his teacher has no choice but to send Ralph home with a bad report card. Before her students leave, the teacher gives each of them a sack telling them that the raccoon who fills the sack “with the most loot will win the BEST BANDIT IN THE SCHOOL competition.” Poor Ralph goes home knowing perfectly well that he has no hope of filling his bag because he refuses to steal things.

   In this funny picture book, Hannah Shaw finds a way to show children that being good actually can be rewarding. Children will love the kooky illustrations, and they will be delighted when the underdog…er… underraccoon prevails in the end. 

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

When you are little it is very tiresome to discover that you really are too little to do some of the things that you want to do. What a bore! The main character in today's picture book is in just such a situation and he is thoroughly fed up with it. Thankfully he discovers that there are some things that even a very little person (or a very little pig) can do, and do well. 

Little Pig Joins the Band

David Hyde Costello

Picture book

For ages 4 to 6

Charlesbridge, 2011, 978-1-58089-264-3

   Little Pig does not like being little, nor does he like being called Little Pig. He has a perfectly good name that no one uses. Why doesn’t anyone call him Jacob?

   When Little Pig goes to Grandpa’s house Grandpa gets out his old marching-band instruments. Little pig tries to play the drums, but he is too short to manage it. He is also too little to play the trombone, the trumpet, or the tuba. His siblings Margie, Peter, Sally, and Tiny have no trouble playing the instruments, and poor Little Pig feels very left out. Though the older pig children can play the instruments, they do have one big problem. They cannot successfully play together like a proper band. Perhaps Little Pig has a role he can play after all.

   Being the littlest child (or piglet) can be a trial. You so often get left out of all the fun because you are “too little,” and no one considers that you too can be a part of whatever is going on. Little children will therefore appreciate the fact that in this book, at least, the littlest child (piglet) finally gets his due.

   With clever illustrations, tongue in cheek word puns, and a charming main character, this is a picture book that is sure to become a firm favorite with young children. 

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

When my daughter was little we got her a pair of yellow boots. To say that she loved these boots would be an understatement. She adored them. In fact she loved them so much that she wore them to bed! Today's picture book tells the story of a little boy and his yellow boots, boots that he too thinks are the bees knees!

Alfie’s Feet

Shirley Hughes

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Random House UK, 2009, 978-1-862-30784-1

   Alfie has a pair of brown shoes with laces that he wears when he goes outside. The shoes work very well in most situations, but when Alfie goes “stamping about in mud and walking through puddles,” his shoes, his socks, and his feet get rather wet.

   One day Alfie and his mum go to the shops on the High Street and they buy Alfie a pair of wonderful yellow boots. Now Alfie will be able to play in the mud and puddles without getting his feet wet.

   Alfie put on his new boots and they look splendid, though they do feel a little funny. Soon Alfie and Dad are in the park and Alfie is having a grand time splashing in the puddles. The only problem is that his feet in their new yellow boots still feel a little odd.

   Shirley Hughes has a gift for turning a simple story into a delightful reading experience. With her charming illustrations and her loveable characters, Shirley Hughes takes us into Alfie’s world, a place where buying a new pair of yellow boots is a memorable event. 

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

Breaking something that you treasure can be devastating. Watching someone else breaking something that you treasure is even worse. Today's picture book is about a dog whose favorite ball is destroyed. Luckily something good comes out of the experience. 

Children who cannot read by themselves yet will love the fact that this is a no-reading-required title. Wordless books are wonderful!

A ball for Daisy

Chris Raschka

Wordless Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Random House, 2011, 978-0-375-85861-1

   Daisy the dog has a red ball that she loves very very much. She plays with it, and even snuggles it when she is napping on the sofa. One day Daisy and her owner go for a walk. Daisy’s owner carries Daisy’s beloved ball and then she gives it to Daisy to play with. All goes well until a brown dog decides to play with the ball too. To Daisy’s consternation the brown dog runs off with the ball and then, horror of horrors, the ball bursts. To say that Daisy is devastated is an understatement. Daisy cannot understand why her ball is not ball-like anymore. What has happened?

   In this delightful wordless book, Chris Raschka perfectly captures the love a little dog has for her ball. Readers will be able to easily understand all of the little dog’s moods, and appreciate how lost she is when her treasure is ruined. The wonderfully expressive illustrations in this title will charm readers of all ages. 

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.