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.
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