Poetry Book Review: Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape by J. Patrick Lewis, Ill by Lisa Desimini 


1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY


Lewis, Patrick J. 2002. Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape. Ill. by Lisa Desimini. New York: Aladdin. ISBN 9780689810756

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Patrick Lewis and Lisa Desimini have created a wonderful collection of fun and witty poetry which is sure to engage children of all ages.  Each poem is different and enhances the picture to text pre reading development of young readers.  Realistic and digitally created images are meshed together creating an eclectic gallery for this colorful picture book.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book contains playful myriad of poetry and pictures where the texts become the shapes and the graphics have words imbedded in them.  Young children will love the creative collection of free verse and rhyming poetry.  The most striking element of the book is the illustrations.  The designs are varied and interesting as they capture the meaning and importance of connection to the words.  A ball may become the letter ‘O”. Whole phrases are mirrored as if they are a reflection.  I especially like the Big Cat poem and spread as there are so many visually stimulating ideas that can be drawn from the light and dark opposing pages. The Big Cat poem starts out with, “day delights in jungle cries”.  Another interesting work is titled Synchronized Swim Team.  Here Lewis uses similes in “waves is like a quilt of blue” as well as a figurative pun about the “precision needles poking through” relating to the swimmers legs.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publisher’s Weekly:  "The interplay between words and pictures effectively conjures images from seasons, to sports, to the jungle. From endpaper to doodled endpaper, this mix of clever language and visual delights makes a dandy treat for all ages."

School Library Journal: “Doodle Dandies captures the joy that wordplay can bring. It deserves a place on every library shelf.”

Booklist: “A dandy way indeed to begin a journey to poetry”

Kirkus Review: “Lewis’s book of poems is a pleasure and also a challenge, for readers must decipher the oddly skewed type”
5. CONNECTIONS

*Use poems in the book to introduce lessons for science or new vocabulary.
*Conduct a fun art lesson using the book as a model for creative word poetry pictures.

Poetry Book Review: We Are America a Tribute from the Heart by Walter Dean Myer


1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY
Myers, Walter Dean. 2011. We Are America: A Tribute From the Heart. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 978006053091

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The Myers father and son duo create a captivating collection of art, free verse poetry and quotes from America’s past, present and future.  Cleverly chronicled, the pieces flow together a timeline of the historical challenges, triumphs, and evaporated dreams of a diverse and patriotic America.  From the Native American Indians, Amelia Earhart, the Boston Tea Party, the Vietnam War, Mark Twain, and other famous people and events that shaped the America of yesterday and tomorrow.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSISThe rhythmic poetry, emotion filled quotations and exquisite artwork in this book capture the true essence of what it is to be an American.  Christopher Myers’ illustrations stand out in their almost impressionistic style as they beautifully depict the characters and events which capture the true meaning of what is America.  Each page contains a panoramic display of American landscapes or portraits of American Icons.  One page shows the Statue of Liberty adjacent to several scenes depicting American flags.  The scenes containing the flags represent events such as the Civil War, Civil rights protesters, Jimmy Hendricks at Woodstock, The Moon Landing, and a homeless person draped in the flag.  The brilliant colors and shapes vividly create a gallery of works which inspire and teach. The text and illustrations are well balanced throughout this intriguing book, making it one which will undoubtedly set the imaginations of young people on fire. 
The texts are varied and arranged so the reader is not overwhelmed with words and can concentrate on the content of the graphics.  Each layout is composed of a collage of scenery with famous individuals embedded into the artwork.  The poem and quotation pieces are well blended containing either one poetry piece or a variation of poetry coupled with quotations. The book contains an index of artwork and quotation notes aiding in cross curriculum connections. This book would be a better selection for older aged elementary students because of the social, historical and political themes related to upper grade studies.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Guide “Father and son team up for this reflection on United States history. The promise and potential of America are explored with a quotation, poem, and mural-like painting on each spread.”

Library Media Connection “This title could be used to teach free verse poetry, history, art, or all three. It is a patriotic look at our religion, our history, our athletes, our military, our literary contributions, our cultural traditions, and the geographic areas that comprise our great nation. It will be a valuable addition to school and public libraries.”

School Library Journal “A thought-provoking and largely accomplished work for students of American history”

Publisher’s Weekly “It's best appreciated by readers with some knowledge of American history, but few will be unmoved by this stirring and provocative collaboration”
5. CONNECTIONS

*This book can be used to teach lessons on Patriotism, Art, Geography, American History or free verse poetry.
*Use this book as an introduction to American Biographies.
*Combine with other poetry books by Walter Dean Myers as an author study.

            Looking Like Me ISBN 9781606840412
            Jazz ISBN 9780823415458
            Wings ISBN 9780590033770

Poetry Book Review: The Surrender Tree by Margarita Engle

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Engle, Margarita. 2008. The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom. New York: Henry Hold and Company. ISBN 9780805086744

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The story is based on the lives of Margarita Engle’s grandparents who cared for people of Cuba during the Wars for independence.  The book is set in 1868 where Cuban plantation owners freed their slaves.  These slaves were later ordered in 1896 to be exiled to “reconcentration camps”.  If anyone attempted an escape, they would be killed.  Rosa (Engle’s Grandmother),  begins the first part of story with “The Names of the Flowers”, a poem about how she became known to her people as “La Bruja” The Witch as well as “La Madre” The Mother who remains uncaptured for thirty-seven years.

Parts two, three and four, consist of varying narratives by Rosa’s husband Jose, Silvia (Rosa’s healing helper) and the protagonist Lieutenant Death (the slave hunter who seeks to kill Rosa).  These are set in three wars.  “The Ten Year’s War, The Little War, and The War of Independence”

The final part “The Surrender Tree” tells the events of the 1898 U.S Battleship Maine which explodes in the Havana Harbor.  Later the U.S. military intervenes and the Spanish troops surrender.  Guantanamo becomes a U.S. Navy base at this time.  As the series of events transpire, the story is told from the perspective of our three main protagonist characters.  Jose speaks of the tree revered by Cubans and the inspiration for the title of the book:

“They choose a majestic tree,
a ceiba, the kapok tree
revered by Cubans,
a sturdy tree with powerful roots…
as the Spanish flag is lowered
and the American flag glides upward.
Our Cuban flag
is still forbidden.”

Rosa speaks of the hope for her Cuban people:
“Peace will not be paradise,
but at least we can hope
that children like Silvia
and the other orphans
will have their chance
to dream
of new ways
to feel free…”

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Margarita Engle’s words speak out for the people of Cuba as a voice of their struggles and sufferings during their fight for independence.  The novel in verse is based on actual events and people.  I am amazed how vividly Margarita captures the feelings and characterizations in the book.  The characters include: Rosa, Jose, Silvia and Lieutenant Death.

Rosa speaks of her emotions as she is pursued by the Lieutenant of Death:

Rosa:

“The horse I ride sings to me by twitching his ears, telling me how much he hates the flames of war. I stroke his mane to let him know that I will keep him safe, I hope it is true…”

The book also contains historical notes and a chronology of the early independence movements. These are especially helpful in sharing the history of Cuba with students

 If you have every known anyone who has lived in a country where independence is only a dream, you would understand this book.  Americans take their freedom for granted and this book serves to shed a little ray of light on how it might have felt to be enslaved. I would recommend this book for middle school students for language arts, history, or biographical studies.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal: “An absolutely lovely book.. .that should be read by young and old, black and white, Anglo and Latino.”

Booklist: “Readers will hear the stories-and never forget them.”

Horn Book: “A work of literary imagination.  Engle’s skillful portrait will spark readers’ interest in Manzano’s own poetry.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This book would make a great book comparison study about people overcoming sufferings and captive circumstances such as:
Number the Stars ISBN 9780606234320
The Diary of Anne Frank ISBN 0395473788

*Other novels in verse by Margarita Engle:
Engle, Margarita. The Poet Slave of Cuba. ISBN 0312659288
Engle, Margarita. Tropical Secrets. ISBN 0805089365
Engle, Margarita. The Firefly Letters. ISBN 0805090827