GIFT TAG by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong (Kindle Edition)

Vardell, Sylvia and Janet Wong.  GIFT TAG.  Amazon Digital Services,  2011.  Web.  23 April 2015.  ASIN:  B0069RU7CE.

SUMMARY AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Gift Tag is a digital book of holiday poems for young readers.  A select group of poets were chosen to create original poems that were inspired by a photo.  A collection of photos, each depicting a holiday image, were provided to the poets. They each selected one photo and wrote an original poem.  The poems were limited to 10 lines and no more than 25 characters per line.  Each poet wrote a brief introduction to his/her poem.

This collection features 28-award winning and acclaimed poets.  The 28 original poems will delight young and old readers alike.  The poems are clever, witty, funny and poignant.  Jane Yolen tells the truth in “Thanks Giving.”  Laura Purdie Salas compares the loops of a homemade potholder to close connections with loved ones in “We Are Woven.”  She writes, “They hold on tight. / Like you and me / They fit just right!  Amy Ludwig VanDerwater’s “Snow Gifts” reminds the reader of the simple gift of a flake of snow.

Robert Weinstock's "Xylophone" uses repetition and rhyme to give a humorous view of the never-ending plinking of a xylophone, other poems use rhyming couplets and interlocking rhyme schemes. An acrostic poem and abecedarian add interest to the collection.  Jeannine Atkins uses alliteration in "Surprise."  These are just a few examples of the wonderful variety of poetry found in this digital book.

The digital format is easy to use, very affordable and visually pleasing.  The photos are sharp and vibrant and each picture is followed by the author's poetry connection and then the poem.  A list of the featured poets is found at the beginning of the book along with information about the genesis of this book.   Information and background for each poet is provided at the back of the book along with a link to each poet's website.  Other information about the project and the photos are also provided in the last section.  The digital format makes this book especially easily to navigate.  In the table of contents any poet can be selected and the reader will go directly to that spot in the book.

Sylvia Vardell has titled this style of poetry written for a digital device as "kindleku" poems.  Gift Tag is an excellent title because this collection is a gift to every reader who opens his or her screen to these poems.  The collection is engaging and delightful and should not be missed!

SPOTLIGHT ON A POEM

Choosing just one poem is a challenge because there are so many in this collection for children to enjoy.  One format that may be new to many students is the abecedarian where the words in the poem are in alphabetical order.  Carole Boston Weatherford's "If You Stuff a Stocking" reminds us that there is such a thing as too much.  Bring a stocking stuffed with as many items from the poem or appropriate substitutes as possible.  Provide printed copies of the poem on half-sheets of paper for each student.  Encourage students to share some of their family stocking traditions.  (Some children may be unfamiliar with this custom and using a visual and talking about the Christmas stocking will help develop some background knowledge.)

Read the poem aloud to the children as they follow along and ask them if they can identify a pattern with the words in the poem.  Allow time for discussion and reread the poem again.  If children need help prompt them to look for the alphabetical pattern.  Encourage choral reading of the poem.  Some children may want to color the first letter of each word to reveal the alphabetical pattern.  As a follow-up consider a shared writing experience with the class, allowing students to contribute words to create a class abecedarian poem about the holidays.

"If You Stuff a Stocking"

"w/apple ball candy cane
duck Etch-a-Sketch flag
gum harmonica iPod jacks
kazoo LEGOs magnet nuts
orange pick up sticks
quarters raisins Slinky
top Uno Viewmaster
whistle extraterrestrial
yo-yo & zills.  A stocking
just might POP!"

SALTING THE OCEAN, Selected by Naomi Shihab Nye, Illustrations by Ashley Bryan

Nye, Naomi Shihab.  Salting the Ocean; 100 Poems by Young Poets.  Illus. by Ashley Bryan.  Greenwillow, 2000.  ISBN  978-0688161934.

SUMMARY AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Naomi Shihab Nye served as writer-in-the-schools throughout the state of Texas and visited several other states to teach about writing over the course of 25 years.  While working with students, she collected original poetry that was written by children in grades 1 - 12.  This book is a compilation of 100 of those original poems.  The authors are not famous or well known and are now adults working in a variety of fields.  The book is divided into four sections with different poetry topics.  The topics are section headings and listed as; "The Self and the Inner World," Where We Live,: "Anybody's Family," and "The Wide Imagination."  Nye partnered with the talented Ashley Bryan to provide the colorful section illustrations and other artwork interspersed throughout the collection.  

The poetry represents a range of life experiences mostly written in free verse.  Some of the poems are readily understandable while others take a little more contemplation to capture the author's message.  The poetry is personal and genuine, ranging in length from two lines to filling two full pages.  There are many heartfelt and emotional scenes as in the poetry of Jennifer Caraway as she remembers the life of her cat.  Other poems reflect humor as in Amy Gonzales' "Where We Live" or  "Rules for Trees" by Dana Dagues.  Figurative language is found in many poems, consider the work of Rebecca Martinez in "Monday Night at the Kwik-Wash."  She describes the scene with "Mr. Clock swinging his arms swiftly / Mrs. Dryer warm and soothing." 

The book includes an introduction that addresses three specific types of readers.  There is an "anyone" category, a message to teachers and a message to poets.  Nye's wisdom and advice is best summed up in her words, "Read it! Share it with one another!"  A table of contents and index of poems will help readers navigate the pages.  Nye includes insightful afterward notes and some extra notes in the index.  Teachers will find these poems useful as examples for students and a positive way to encourage writing in all grades.  

The colorful illustrations add vibrancy to the text.  Bryan used colorful tempera paint for his illustrations.  The paintings include cultural markers in the skin tones, colorful designs and patterns.  They are interesting to view and are well placed throughout the book. 

SPOTLIGHT ON A POEM

Everyday objects make interesting subjects for a poem.  Robert Kimmel's "Clock" is a good example of an object that students can relate too (although some may be more familiar with the digital clock and will need to see pictures of a traditional clock). Every child can relate to time and wanting it to speed up or slow down.  If possible, provide a large clock with a second hand, challenge the children to just watch the clock for one minute (it will seem like an eternity).  Ask children to respond to watching the clock for that length of time and to talk about times where time seemed to stand still or move very quickly.  Read the poem aloud while the words are projected for the students to see.  Invite five students to each take a line beginning with the word clock and read it aloud, ending with all calling out in unison CLOCK!  Allow them a few minutes to practice together before presenting it to the class. 

"Clock"

"Clock, who has looked at you

and seen the time?

Who has looked at you and said they were late?

Clock, you must be tired,

after all, you stay up all night.

Clock, who has looked at you and said they only had five minutes?

Clock, how many times have you been wound?

Clock, you have all the time 

in the world locked up inside."

FIREFLY JULY, A YEAR OF VERY SHORT POEMS, Selected by Paul B. Janeczko, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Janeczko, Paul.  Firefly July, A Year of Very Short Poems.  Illus. by Melissa Sweet.  Candlewick.  2014.  ISBN  978-0763648428.

SUMMARY AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This collection of very short poems reflects Paul Janeczko’s ability to select compelling poetry.   He has compiled 36 poems from acclaimed and celebrated artists, some familiar and others less known. He has partnered with Melissa Sweet, Caldecott Honor artist, to pair engaging morsels of poetry with beautiful images and scenes for a delightful reading experience.  The poetry is divided by season, with eight to ten poems highlighting a scene or experience for each part of the year.  

The collection begins with colorful spring things and moves effortlessly through the other seasons.  Each poem captures a small moment in time, allowing the reader to pause and take notice.  Using just a few short lines, each poet packs in powerful images and small vignettes that delight the senses.  In "Fog," Carl Sandburg's descriptive words compare fog to a creeping cat, meanwhile, Eve Merriam in "Uses for Fog," envisions the fog as a "magic cloak," "thistledown" or "to conquer skyscrapers." Richard Wright vividly describes the wind "tearing itself to shreds / on barbed-wire fences."   Langston Hughes in "Subway Rush Hour" captures the crowded experience with "Mingled / breathe and smell / so close."  Page by page, each poem convey a unique experience. 

The poems flow together easily and the illustrations invite the reader to linger over each page.  Sweet uses watercolor, gouache and mixed-media to celebrate this collection of poetry.  Most pages feature a double-page spread and all pages feature colorful and engaging art.  Some of the scenes take a bird's eye view as in "Dust of Snow" while other scenes feature a prominent figure that begs for a up-close inspection as in "Little Orange Cat."  Sweet's images for "A Happy Meeting" have the reader looking between two muddy boots to the street scene beyond.  She uses color, pattern, and texture to create a compelling image. The artwork brings the poetry to life and extends the sensory experience on every page. 

Janeczko has included poetry dating back from 1915 to present day from a range of beloved poets.    Readers will delight in reading poetry by Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, J. Patrick Lewis, Eve Merriam, Joyce Sidman and so many more.  From the recent to the revered, this collection of poetry is as timeless as it is fresh and relevant for readers of all ages. 

SPOTLIGHT ON A POEM

Many children love animals and have pets of their own.  Charlotte Zolotow's "Little Orange Cat" will resonate with cat lovers of every age.  Gather children around in a story circle on the floor so everyone can see the double-page illustrations of the "little orange cat" on the pages.  Read the poem aloud twice while children listen.  Encourage children to share their own experiences with their pet cats or seeing cats in the neighborhood.  Allow the children to talk about how cats and small tigers both prowl and stalk.  Invite small groups of children to demonstrate how to prowl around like a cat, moving around the room.  Allow all children a turn to be a cat or small tiger prowling and stalking the room.  Project the poem so all children can read the poem together.  Provide paper for children to draw their own prowling cat in whatever kind of scene they would like.  Provide small copies of the poem for children to take home and encourage them to share the poem and their original artwork with someone at home.  

"Little Orange Cat"

"Little orange cat,

you prowl

like a small tiger

(stalking what?)

in the field

of white daisies

and shining buttercups."

EXTENSIONS

Charlotte Zolotow is an award winner author and writer of more than 70 delightful books for children.  To follow-up the spotlight on a poem, introduce the children to some of Zolotow's other poetry.  Try these three titles; Seasons, A Book of Poems, Some Things Go Together and Sleepy Book.  To learn more about her, check out the official website at http://www.charlottezolotow.com.

JAZZ by Walter Dean Myers and Illustrated by Christopher Myers

Meyers, Walter Dean.  Jazz.  Ill. Christopher Meyers.  New York:  Holiday House.  2009.  ISBN 978-0823421732.

SUMMARY AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Walter Dean Myers’ poetry collection is a celebration of jazz music and the musicians that have spread jazz music around the world.  Myers lyrical verses feel like music, moving fast and slow across the pages.  Myers’ son, Christopher, provided the illustrations and these two talented men have created an exciting jazz experience through poetry and art.  

The poetry is soulful and full of deep emotion.  In "Be-Bop" the music sounds like pure joy with "Oh bippety-bop bop, oh whee! / OH WHEE! / A Bippety-bop square / can't mess with me!"  The sad notes of lost love are heard in “Session II.”  It begins with “Mercy, mercy, mercy / Please have mercy Mr. Slide Trombone/My baby’s gone and left me."  You can feel the rhythm in “Twenty-Finger Jack” and by the end of the poem the reader might feel like tapping toes or singing along.  Myers uses rhyme to create a strong beat with “My knees don’t like it / but feet just got to dance / My heels can’t follow / but my toes will take a chance.”

The instruments take on human qualities when Myers uses figurative language in "America's Music" with "Strings crying like a midnight widow … A clarinet sassing its way through a Sunday-night sermon."  He highlights the many types of jazz, showing an appreciation for each type.  A variety of text types are used throughout the collection.  Handwritten refrains are merged with typed text.  The placement of text varies from horizontal, vertical and on a slant.  The variety adds energy to the book and creates interest.  

Walter Dean Myers opens the book with a short introduction to jazz music, beginning in the early 1800's.  He honors the musicians that laid the foundation for all of the varieties of jazz that we now know today.  He also included a glossary of jazz terms in the back of the book and a jazz time line.  Readers will enjoy the poetry and art work and will also learn about the history and origins of jazz music.   

The artistic work of Christopher Myers is stunning.  His choice of rich colors add vibrancy to the book.  Most poems feature a single individual, painted in deep hues upon contrasting backgrounds.  The tribute to Louis Armstrong is big and bold.  The reader will need to turn the book sideways to view the full length Louis standing tall, blowing his horn.  It is a dramatic scene.  Myers use of color, light and shading create dramatic effects and give depth to each scene.  Each image is filled with movement and emotion.  Musicians are swaying, bending and dancing.  They are also lost in the music with eyes close, out-stretched hands or heads thrown back.  The illustrations support and extend the poetry and provide the reader with a satisfying experience for the eyes and the ears.  This title has been recognized as a Corretta Scott King Honor Award book.  This high quality title will be enjoyed by poetry and jazz lovers alike. 

SPOTLIGHT ON A POEM

"It's Jazz" highlights the "hot" jazz of New Orleans.  Introduce the students to a sample of New Orleans jazz by playing a portion of the video titled, "Marchin' to New Orleans" found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8Jlz4d3F7s.  Allow students time to respond to the music.  Project the image and poem from the book onto a screen so the students can see the poem with the accompanying art work.  Read the poem aloud twice, with music playing softly in the background.  Invite students to follow along and finally read it again with the class.  Explain any unfamiliar words and allow students time to respond to the music and the poetry.   

“It’s Jazz”

“I hear the call of the coronet

I hear a swinging clarinet

They’re playing HOT jazz in the heat

Of old New Orleans

The rattling banjo pays its dues

They’re playing HOT jazz in the heat

Of old New Orleans

There’s a crazy syncopation

And it’s tearing through the nation

And it’s bringing sweet elation

To every single tune

It’s jazz

There a drummer rat-a-tatting

There a patent shoe that’s patting

While a laid-back cat is scatting

About flying to the moon

It’s jazz

In the Heat of New Orleans

EXTENSIONS

Many types of jazz can be found on YouTube, including many of the names listed in the Jazz Time Line from the back of Myers' book.  Students may choose to listen to many types of jazz and learn more about specific artists.  Learn more about Walter Dean Myers at http://walterdeanmyers.net.  Look for the video interview with the author.  Get to know Christopher Myers while listening to his interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLLxDwKxHx1yJahnGRpP8KklETmQqXS58s&v=a0rJ93QYxnE.