NCTE Award Poetry

Bibliographic Citation

Esbensen, Barbara J. 2003. Swing around the sun: poems. Ill. by Cheng-Khee, Chee, et al. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books. ISBN 0876141432

Review

NCTE’s 1994 Award Winning Poet, the late Barbara Esbensen’s previously published book (1965) which celebrates the seasons is brought to new life with a new crew of illustrators for each of the four seasons. “Swing Around the Sun: Poems”, features five rhyming poems filled with metaphors for each season. The mossy green watercolors of Cheng-Khee Chee take readers through the spring season as “Umbrellas” make their appearance in the rain … “/Under my umbrella-top,/Splashing through the town,/I wonder why the tulips/ Hold umbrellas/ Up-side-down!”. Moving to the summer season, Janice Lee Porter uses acrylic paintings and curving lines to convey visual meaning for “Fireworks”, and “Yellow” which speaks of the sun, dandelions, and pears. Artist Mary Grand Pré ushers in the fall with muted colors of the spooky season of “Halloween” and “Prediction” which leads readers to think about what changes winter will bring. Caldecott winning artist Stephen Gammell creates the winter landscape with a mix of icy white and hues of blue that seem to bring the chill that come with “First Snow” “/Snow stars fall/On faces and hats;/ They twinkle the ears/And the fur of our cats. / They fall and they spin/In the cold, black night-/Pointed and sparkling, /White! White! White!”

Poem Title

"Discovery"

Within its polished universe
The apple holds a star,
A secret constellation
To scatter near and far.

Let a knife discover
Where the five points hide;
Split the shining ruby
And find the star inside!

Introduction or Follow-up Activity

Each fall, our first grade students visit the library to complete a unit study on the seasons. In the past, I have used a book by Gail Gibbons titled, “The Season’s of Arnold’s Apple Tree” which highlights how the apple trees at Arnold’s family farm change throughout each of the four seasons. The book also features a section on how apple cider is made and this is usually our culminating activity. Sharing poems from each season from Esbensen’s book would add another level to our unit study. When cutting the apples to make the cider, it would be especially appropriate to share the poem, “Discovery” to point out the secret star hidden inside each apple.

Multicultural Poetry

Bibliographic Citation

Wong, Janet S. 1999. Behind the wheel: poems about driving. New York: M.K. McElderry Books. ISBN 9780689825316

Review

Wong uses driving as a metaphor for life in her collection of 35 free verse poems that teenage drivers and those soon to be drivers will find themselves relating to. Wong shows her humorous side in “Short Sighted” which discusses the plight of a height challenged driver’s education student. “They’ve never had someone so short/ in driver’s ed,/ so they didn’t know what to do/when my foot didn’t touch/ the pedals./ Stuck a thin block/on the brake/so my legs could reach./ If only they could stretch me enough/ so I can see/ where I’m going-/” Wong’s more serious side is shown in such selections as “Send Me a Signal” and “Stuff” where subtle messages of care and concern are sent to young drivers from parents or anyone with an interest in their life.

Poem Title

“Need to Read”

need to read
to pass the test

scratch
those signs unto my brain

merge
yield
steep grade

read the handbook
read it again
read it again

sleep on it

dream those signs
dream

the license is mine

Introduction or Follow-up Activity

To introduce Wong’s book, “Behind the Wheel; Poems about Driving”, a discussion with students about their thoughts on their pending driving test would reveal their feelings. Are they confident? How did they prepare? Are they scared and filled with anxiety? After discussing their feelings, have a student read “Need to Read”. Ask if any of them feel the same way. Next, have another student read the selection “Insurance” to see if they are hearing these same words from their parents, “You need insurance/You need insurance/You need insurance…/” Find out what other things they have on their minds are they prepare for this milestone in their lives. Is there a poem that matches those feelings? If so, have a student share it with the group.

Florian Poetry

Bibliographic Citation

Florian, Douglas. 2003. Bow wow meow meow: it's rhyming cats and dogs. Orlando, FL.: Harcourt Children. ISBN 0152163956

Review

Douglas Florian uses his innate ability to capture the essence of man’s best friend along with some furry felines in his brightly illustrated collection of twenty-one short poems sure to appeal to young elementary age students. The mix of concrete poems and rhymed couplets are each featured on a two-page spread with an accompanying watercolor illustration. Florian’s use of whimsy and humor make this book one that students will want to read over and over again. With each reading, something new may be discovered. In “The Dachshund”, Florian reveals that this canine is more than just a dog, he is a mode of transportation…”Short up front/and short behind/ but so long in-between/ the fleas all ride/ upon my side/ in my s t r e t c h limousine.


Poem Title

"Dog Log"

Rolled out of bed.
Scratched my head.
Brought the mail.
Wagged my tail.
Fetched a stick.
Learned a trick.
Chased a hare.
Sat in a chair.
Chewed a shoe-
Table, too.
Got in a spat
With a cat.
Buried a bone.
Answered the phone.
Heard a thief.
Gave him grief.
Time to creep
Off to sleep.

Introduction or Follow-up Activity

Florian’s poetry book would be a great pairing with the 2010 Bluebonnet Award Winning book, “Help Me Mr. Mutt!: Expert answers for Dogs with People Problems” by Janet Stevens, illustrated by Susan Stevens Crummel. In this book, Mr. Mutt, the doggie counselor, or canine version of Dear Abbey, provides advice for his fellow canine friends as they encounter problems with their humans or the dreaded feline of the house. Florian’s poem, “Dog Log” focuses on what goes through a dog’s mind in the course of a day, much like the letters sent to Mr. Mutt asking for advice. As an introduction to this piece, I would ask students if they own a dog, and if so, if they have they ever wondered what their dog is thinking. This could spark a creative poetry writing activity as students develop a poem about their pets. Our campus has a “bring your dog to work day” for all teachers and staff. This would be a great day to share Florian’s book of poetry along with the Bluebonnet award winning book.