Poetry Friday: I’ve got the Cybil Bug
November 10th, 2006 by eisha
*{Note: Visit Journey Woman for this week’s Poetry Friday round-up} . . .
Howdy, strangers. I know, it’s been a while. As Julie mentioned, I’ve been kinda busy with school lately, and haven’t been posting nearly as often as I’d like to. But thanks to Mistress Cybil, I’ve definitely been reading a LOT of excellent poetry for children. I thought I’d use my share of the Poetry Fridays to highlight some of the nominees that I’ve been especially tickled about. For example:
Hey There, Stink Bug! by Leslie Bulion, illustrated by Leslie Evans. This book is a complete package – excellent linoleum block-and-watercolor illustrations (love them, LOVE THEM!!!); clever, fun, and largely read-out-loud-able poetry; and fascinating facts about insects sure to please the budding entomologist, or anyone who likes trivia of the gross-out variety. For example, did you know that aphids reproduce asexually, and already have new live aphids developing inside them when they’re born?!? And that skipper caterpillars can “force-fire” their own poop over three feet away?!? Dude… that’s just nasty.
Here’s a swallowtail butterfly’s “Advice to a Caterpillar,” a limerick (with a sly Alice reference for a title?) that also explains the swallowtail caterpillar’s, um… unusual appearance:
Said the swallowtail, “Kid, here’s the scoop:
That ravenous robin’s a snoop.
Once you pupate you’ll be
quite as dazzling as me,
but for now just pretend you’re bird poop.”
Each poem highlights a different bug, and is followed by notes describing the insect and whatever trait the poem highlights. Also included are a glossary (no pronunciation guide, though), a guide to the various poetic forms used (a wide range – sonnet, cinquain, haiku, tanka, free verse…), and a list of web and print resources, for the curious and inspired.
The compact size (about the same as a beginning reader) and occasionally complex vocabulary (glossary notwithstanding) make this best suited for the middle-grader, although it could certainly go younger for readalouds. Not to mention adults – every grown-up I’ve shown it to got a kick out of it, and learned something to boot. As did I.
So thanks, Leslie Bulion and Leslie Evans, for an excellent collaboration; thanks to Charlesbridge for the review copy, and thanks to Debbie for nominating it for a Cybils Poetry award. And if you haven’t nominated your favorite book of children’s or young adult poetry for 2006, there’s still time! Go now!
I’m on round-up this week. Got ya!
Thanks, E! Sounds excellent.
Speaking of poetry and one of our recent Poetry Friday choices, my new ‘Horn Book’ arrived in the mail yesterday (always a good mail day when that happens), and there’s a new bio of E.E. Cummings, aimed at middle and high schoolers, by Catherine Reef. Was well-reviewed. I’ll have to add it to my list.
And, go Nancy, who is so on top of things!
I suspected we might like Stinkbug, and once you said ‘dude that’s just nasty,’ I knew this one would be perfect for my 7-yr.-old son. I requested it from the library. Thanks, Eisha!
Thanks for catching us, Nancy. And Susan, I don’t think your son (or you) will be disappointed. And thanks, J, for the rec – I’ll look for that too.
I’m so glad to see that you have reviewed this, Eisha! It really is a wonderful combination of poetry and information, in a nicely illustrated & designed package. I also love that it might attract some children who might not otherwise read poetry.
I agree, Debbie – it’s got a lot of appeal on a lot of fronts, and could be just the thing for the resistant-to-poetry reader.