ANOTHER JAR OF TINY STARS, By Bernice Cullinan and Deborah Wooten

Cullinan, B. E., and Deborah Wooten. "Another Jar of Tiny Stars: Poems by more NCTE award winning poets." Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/National Council of Teachers of English (2010).  ISBN 978-1590787267

OVERVIEW AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Another Jar of Tiny Stars is a collection of favorite poems as selected by children from 15 NCTE award-winning authors.  This delightful and engaging collection includes a wide range of poetry styles.  Poems range from humorous to serious, playful to thought provoking.   The various poems, each reflecting the poet's style, create a mosaic of rhythms, sounds and sensory experiences.  Poetry lovers will find their favorite style of poem, whether it is free verse, strong rhyme or narrative verse. Not-yet-poetry-lovers will be enticed by this collection and might be persuaded to choose one of the poems as a new favorite. Emotional impact will come in the form of laughter, giggles and serious reflection across the span of authors. 

A brief sample of what can be found between the covers of this book is highlighted with some perennial favorites. Listen to David Mc Cord's strong beat and repetition in The Pickety Fence.” 

     “…the pickety fence/The pickety fence/Give it a lick it’s/

      the pickety fence/Give it a lick it’s/A Clickety fence…”

Nikki Grimes captures the beauty of a winter day in “Snow.”

  

     “… Magic! Evening snow

       drifts turn each streetlight into

       a star on a stick.”

Myra Cohn Livingston and X. J. Kennedy both write about Martin Luther King, Jr.  Each bringing a different perspective. Livingston gives a gentle tribute while Kennedy creates a steady rhythm and beat that will carry you along to the final syllable.  Arnold Adoff uses delicious figurative language to describe his family in “Flavors.”  He also scatters his words across the page, causing the reader to stretch out the words and slow down the reading.  Karla Kuskin changes font size in “I Woke Up This Morning” to add emphasis and volume to her poem.  It seems the final words are practically shouting from the page.  

Readers will connect with the range of experiences they will find in the poetry.  Children who love the beach will enjoy “The Summer Song” by John Ciardi.  Dinosaur lovers will not be able to resist Valerie Worth’s “Dinosaurs.”  Many children are animal lovers and there are several poems to satisfy like “Puppy” by Lee Bennett Hopkins.  Poems with universal appeal abound in this collection.  

These award-winning poets deliver quality on every page.  Covering a range of topics makes the collection fresh and unpredictable.  Black and white drawings of each poet, along with a personal quote separate each section.  The “About the Poets” section in the back of the book adds personal perspectives from each poet and interesting facts about their personal and professional lives.  Other poets included in this collection are, Aileen Fisher, Eve Merriam, Lillian Moore, Arnold Adoff, Barbara Juster Esbensen, Eloise Greenfield, Mary Ann Hoberman and Nikki Grimes.  A star-studded cast of poets make this collection a must for every classroom. 

SPOTLIGHT ON A POEM

Engaging, rhythmic and rich in sensory images, "My Cat" by Barbara Juster Esbensen paints a peaceful picture. 

     "My cat is asleep — white paws
     folded under
     his chin     He is a soft gray
     smudge on the round rug

     Dozing in the sun
     He is a warm round stone
     with a fur collar

     My cat is taking
     a nap     Not a whisker
     trembles     Not a hair
     moves     His breath goes
     softly in and out

     Stay in your holes
     mice!     My cat sees you
     in his dreams
     and he has left his motor running!"

IN THE CLASSROOM

Many children love animals and have pets of their own.  This poem will remind them of animals they know.  Project multiple pictures of sleeping cats for the class to view and enjoy before reading this poem.  Read it aloud two or three times so the children can enjoy the rhythm and try to imagine this peaceful, sleepy cat.  Project the words for all to see and let the class read the poem chorally, alternating sections with groups of children.  Allow the children to discuss the figurative language found in the the poem.  Talk about how the author uses the rug, a round stone, a fur collar and a running motor to help the reader to "see" the cat sleeping on the rug.  Provide pictures of sleeping cats and active cats for children to view.  Working individually or with partners, encourage children to create their own poems about cats, using the pictures to stimulate ideas.  As time permits, allow students to share their work with the class.

EXTENSIONS

If you want to read more about Barbara Juster Esbensen you will find an interview with her located here http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/About/Awards/Esbensen.pdf.  She was a prolific writer and you can find her books on www.amazon.com.  Additional animals poems are included in Another Jar of Tiny Stars.