Module 3 - 2011 Poetry Book

Bibliographic Citation

Gibson, Amy. 2011. Around the world on eighty legs. Ill. by Daniel Salmieri. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439587556

Review

In Amy Gibson’s first book of poetry, she takes us skipping across the continents to explore five regions as we learn of the animal inhabitants, when added together, have a total of eighty legs. Gibson’s witty use of wordplay is impressive as she weaves bits of information about each animal throughout the short verses. The watercolor, gouache and colored-pencil illustrations by Daniel Salmieri continue the humor found throughout the brightly colored pages. In addition to the sixty poems featuring popular and lesser known animals, there is a fantastic “Menagerie of Facts” located in the back. Here readers will find a list of animals in alphabetical order, a small picture of each animal along with one or two interesting facts. This would be a fun and entertaining book for young elementary age children.

Poem Title

Macaque
(muh-KAK)

Most monkeys
like it hot, but not
the Japanese
macaque.

He lives in snow
where cold winds blow,
for fur runs
down his back.

But coats of fluff
are not enough
when winter is
a doozy.

And so he hurries
when it flurries
into the
Jacuzzi.

Introduction or Follow-up Activity

This 2011 poetry book is a great one for cross-curricular connections. I would use this book as an introduction for a science lesson on animals. Prior to beginning the research process on specific animals, this would allow students to see where many animals live as it cleverly categorizes the animals in their native habitats within geographic regions shown on the maps of the end pages. Sharing poems from the book might entice students to research animals that are lesser known. What a fun and fabulous way to broaden students’ learning. After students complete their research, have them write a poem about the animal they studied and display their poems in the library.