by Michelle Hand for TWU Course Literature for Children and Young Adults Florian,Douglas. 1994. BEAST
FEAST. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace & Company. ISBN 0152951784.
This is a book of twenty-one original poems about different animals and the weird, funny, sometimes perplexing things they do. It is written and illustrated by Douglas Florian.
Critical Analysis
First of all, I was not impressed with Florian’s paintings that accompany the poems. My first impression of the book was not positive. I don’t really care for the “Walrus”
poem or the “Barracuda” poem. The “Anteater” poem invoked the most emotion and
movement with the way the author emulates the anteater’s tongue with the words
of the poem. The actual words of the poem are clever , funny and
educational.
I don’t know if the style of Florian’s paintings in this book are indicative of
all his work or if he drew the animals in such a way that looks like children
drew them to attract young readers. I personally do not care for they style
but on the other hand, young readers probably can relate to his style of
artwork.
I do, however, I appreciate the fact that Florian introduces some species that
most young readers are not familiar with such as the Kiwi, Sloth and/or
Armadillo. I also like how in the “Lobster “ poem he describes how it uses the
different parts of the body to capture and kill prey.
Overall, BEAST FEAST is fun, entertaining and equally educational. It would be a great
source or introduction for a biology science unit in lower grades.
Review Excerpt(s)
“An ideal read-aloud, this volume will leave young listeners as lighthearted as its
own contents.” -Publishers Weekly
“It's easy to imagine readers becoming inspired to write and illustrate their own
poems after spending time with Florian. Clearly a wonderful book.” -
Lee Bock, Brown County Public Libraries, Green Bay, WI, School Library Journal
An ALA Notable Children’s Book
Connections
1. Write a group animal poem. Explain to kids that some poems (called concrete poems) are
shaped like the object they describe. You can show kids the Anteater poem from
Beast Feast. Choose an animal with a shape that is easy to recognize (such as a snake). Create a group poem by having each child contribute a line (verse) about the animal you’re describing. Write the lines in the shape or outline of the animal.
2. Write an “I am . . .”, “I remember . . .”, or “I like . . .” poem. Have kids write a
poem, with each line or verse starting with the words “I am.” Tell kids their poems can rhyme or not rhyme, be short or long, funny or serious. Remind your young poets to sign their poems. Have them illustrate their poems. (If you have an instant camera, display each poem with a photo of the child.)
Get Involved
Many animals in your local community need a good home. Have the kids launch
an adopt-a-pet campaign. Invite staff or a volunteer from the local animal shelter to talk with the kids about the shelter and about animals that need homes. Create flyers (with
kids’ art) to encourage people to adopt pets. Kids can post the flyers at the library, in
their schools and school newsletters, and at other locations throughout the
community.
Connections taken from:
Http://www-tc.pbs.org/parents/bookfinder/bookclub/PKGO_bc05_beastfeast.pdf.
N.p.: PBS, 2004. PDF.
Other similar poem books about animals for children.
Hollander, John, Ed. and Simona Mulazzani, Ill. POETRY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE-ANIMAL POEMS.
ISBN: 9781402709265
Lewis, J. Patrick (Compiler). NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOK OF ANIMAL POETRY: 200 POEMS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS THAT SQUEAK, SOAR AND ROAR! ISBN: 9781426310096
Sidman, Joyce and Beth Krommes (Illustrator). SWIRL BY SWIRL: SPIRALS IN NATURE. ISBN:
9780547315836.
by Michelle Hand for TWU Course Literature for Children and Young Adults Salas, Laura Purdie. Illustrated by Josee Bisaillon. 2011. BOOK SPEAK!: POEMS ABOUT BOOKS. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780547223001.
This is a book of poems about books. Every aspect of reading a book is covered by Salas, from a book sitting on shelf not being read to the parts of a book carrying on dialogue between each other. Relevant and colorful illustrations by Josee Bisaillon accompany each poem.
Critical Analysis
Salas has created the most witty and clever poems about books, parts of books and reading books. Each poem takes a unique perspective regarding books being read, not being read books talking and writing themselves and characters in books crying out for sequels.
Salas writes these unique poems with simple yet eye and ear catching words and cadences that any child or adult can understand and appreciate. This poem “On the Shelf and Under the Bed” should definitely encourage a child to pick up a book even if it’s just to not feel sorry for it collecting dust bunnies under a bed or sitting perfectly straight, untouched on a bookshelf.
Bisaillon as the illustrator was a great choice for this book. Each poem has illustrations that complement or add to the words of the poem. The illustrations use different mediums from one to the next and keeps the reader turning the pages. Books sitting on shelves with the words of the poem between each stack is a superb way to lead the eye through the poem.
I absolutely loved reading this little poem book and I think it would be a great one to use as springboard for encouraging students to read and to learn the different parts of books.
Review Excerpt(s)
"Well crafted and clever, covering a variety of aspects of books and reading...An appealing offering that will be especially popular with librarians."--School Library Journal
"There's definite readaloud and performance potential here."--Bulletin
Connections
1. For each poem, read the title out loud and then ask kids to predict what the
poem might be about. Sometimes it’s obvious, but sometimes it isn’t.
Language Arts: Think of the last story or book you read that you loved. Now imagine
that you ARE one of the characters in that book. Write a poem using “I” in the voice of
that character.
Art: Look at how the illustrator, Josée Bisaillon, uses lots of words in her art. Take
some old newspapers and magazines and cut out shapes. Use them to create a
picture.
Science: Make a Möbius strip like the one in “The End.” Take a long strip of paper.
Hold both ends. Make a half twist in the strip. Tape the two ends together so that B and C overlap and A and D overlap. Congratulations! You’ve made a creation with one continuous side and one continuous edge.
Now make another one, but before you build it, write a poem about something that
never ends on the strip of paper. Continue it on both sides of the strip. For an extra
challenge, make the first word and the last word of the poem the same. Then tape it
together for your infinite poem!
Connections taken from:
"Laura Purdie Salas." Laura Purdie Salas. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2013
Other similar books or poem books for children.
Smith,Lane. IT’S A BOOK. ISBN: 9781596436060
Singer, Marilyn and Josee Massee. MIRROR MIRROR. ISBN: 978-0525479017
Ferris, Helen and Leonard Weisgard (Selected by). FAVORITE POEMS OLD AND NEW. ISBN: 9780385062497
by Michelle Hand for TWU Course Literature for Children and Young Adults Frost, Helen. 2006. THE BRAID. New York, NY: Frances Foster Books. ISBN 9780374309626.
This is a novel in verse about two Scottish sisters living on the western island of Barra in the 1850s. It is written in narrative poems and two points of view portraying life experiences of a family who has been evicted from their land and separated from each other.
Critical AnalysisTHE BRAID by Helen Frost is a novel in verse that reads as easy as silk. It is only 96 pages and can be read in one to two sittings. The description of the surroundings, people and turn of
events are intriguing and heart breaking. Even though it is set in the 1850s, it shows how human struggles were the same then as they are now. Sarah staying behind, falling in love and then getting pregnant is so relatable to young women now.
The way Frost weaves the praise poems in between the narratives is splendid yet methodical. Frost took painstaking time and effort counting the number of lines and number of syllables for each chapter and poem to construct such a novel that glides into the brain and rolls off the
tongue.
I believe young readers, especially girls, will enjoy the experiences both Sarah and Jeannie go through and the challenges they overcome. Many young people today know what it's like to have families split apart and having to make decisions that result in unexpected
circumstances.
My favorite part of the book is the praise poems. Frost so eloquently uses words and phrases taken from the narratives to paint a more vivid picture of the story. For example, the poem title "Midwife" portrays a woman who is so in tune with pregnancy and the birthing process she knows exactly the right time for delivery.
This is an amazing story about life, death, hope and new beginnings. I would highly recommend this book to 8th grade students and to adults alike.
Review Excerpt(s)
"This gem of a book ultimately tackles age-old issues of teen pregnancy, death, poverty, and first love in a timeless manner. Accomplished and impressive." --Starred, School Library Journal
"Poetry, adventure, romance, historical fiction--this book has something for every reader."
—VOYA
“Compellingly poignant as well as authentic.” —Horn Book
The Braid is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year Connections
1. Have students invent their own poetic form and write a poem using that form. Then,
have them share the poem with a classmate (or classmates). Can the classmate figure out what form the poem has been given?
2. Use THE BRAID to supplement a history curriculum about Scotland, the 1800s, the Highland Clearances or the agricultural revolution.
3. Continue where Helen Frost left off. What happens next? Use Frost’s poetic form to create
two more narrative poems and two more “praise poems”.
4. Read the book KEESHA’S HOUSE (2004. ISBN 0374400121), also by Helen Frost. What
similarities do you notice? How are the two books similar? Do you like this kind
of writing style?
Connections taken from: Price,Eva. “The Braid by Helen Frost. www.learningcurving.wordpress.com.Learning Curving: Adventures in Learning, Libraries and Life. June 28, 2012. February 21, 2013 (http://learningcurving.wordpress.com/).
Other historical fiction novels or novels in verse for young adults.
Bradley, Alan. THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE: A Flavia de Luce Mystery
(Flavia de Luce Mysteries). ISBN: 9780385343497
Cooper, Susan. VICTORY. ISBN: 9781416914785
Curtis, Christopher Paul. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. ISBN: 0439023440
Herrick, Steven. BY THE RIVER. ISBN: 9781932425727
by Michelle Hand for TWU Course Literature for Children and Young Adults Rueda, Claudia. 2012. HUFF & PUFF: CAN YOU BLOW DOWN THE HOUSES OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS? New York, NY: Abrams Appleseed. ISBN 978-1419701702
This is book written as a variant story of the traditional tale of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. It has
muted, soft illustrations and a very surprising ending.
Critical Analysis
Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda is sweetened version of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. From the text the illustrations everything about it seems watered down. It is well constructed with the exception of a couple of cutouts toward the end of the story. These cutouts could have been better placed for less distraction.
However, I do like the way she brings the reader into the story with the cutouts and allows role play of the wolf. The language is very clear and natural. The story is not predictable at all so this may be a good surprise to some but disappointing to others who know the original folktale. If I were to read this to students or my children, I would also read the original and let
them decide which one they like better.
Review Excerpt(s)
"Like her repetitive text, Rueda’s illustrations are gently funny and elegantly simple."
–Horn Book
"Simple but wonderfully expressive, the illustrations are ink drawings with pale washes of tan, pink, yellow, and blue. A beautifully designed and wholly engaging picture book for young children." –Booklist
Connections
A picture book based on a traditional folktale about making friends out of enemies.
Other books for children about making friends and resolving issues:
Brown,Peter. YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND! ISBN 9780316070300
Another variant of THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
Golden Books. DISNEY'S THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. ISBN 9780736423120
by Michelle Hand for TWU Course Literature for Children and Young Adults Simms, Taback. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. New York, NY: Viking Juvenile. ISBN
9780670878550
This is a traditional book based on a song with pictures about a man who starts with an overcoat and then makes multiple items of clothing from the coat as it wears out.
Critical Analysis
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Taback Simms is a funny and innovative story. Simms does an outstanding job illustrating how Joseph reinvents his coat with sneak peeks on subsequent pages. I enjoyed the fact that Simms shows how clothing should not be thrown away just because it might have some wear and tear. He demonstrates problem solving skills through Joseph. Joseph's problem solving skills are a great a springboard for young readers to think of how clothing or other items can be recycled.
I asked a co-worker to read Joseph Had a Little Overcoat to her 2 1/2 year old. She stated that she and her son did not relate to a familiar life experience. She thought the illustrations and backgrounds were sommewhat distracting. She also thought the story was not predictable, did not hold her son's attention, and did not provide much humor. On the contrary, she thought the book was well constructed and the language used was clear.
Review Excerpt(s)"Every inch of space is crammed with fanciful, funny details, such as the headline on a discarded newspaper: "Fiddler on Roof Falls off Roof." Taback, esteemed creator of the Caldecott Honor-winning There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly and the classic Too Much Noise, has produced a picture book that is as well turned out as its dapper hero." --Emilie Coulter
"With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud." - Publisher's Weekly
"Pre-Grade 3-A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit." - School Library Journal
Caldecott Medal Award Winner
Connections
A picture book based on a song that encourages students to recycle resources and be innovative.
Design a vest from a brown paper bag.
Collect random items from home and make something out of them.
As a class make a quilt.
http://faculty.salisbury.edu/~elbond/overcoat.htm Other books for children about problem solving and recycling:
Glennon, Michelle Y. MY BIG GREEN TEACHER: RECYLCING (IT'S EASY BEING GREEN). ISBN 978-0979662560
Child, Lauren. CHARLIE AND LOLA: WE ARE EXTREMELY VERY GOOD RECYCLERS. ISBN 978-080373335
by Michelle Hand for TWU Course Literature for Children and Young Adults Kimmel, Eric. 2001. ANANSI AND THE MAGIC STICK. Ill. by Janet Stevens. New York, NY: Holiday House. ISBN 0823414434.
This book is loosely based on a Liberian story about magic that gets out of control. It presents similarities to the story of The Sorcerer's Apprentice.
Critical Analysis
goes as far as stealing a magic stick from the hyena. The magic
stick waters the garden for him but does not stop watering until there is a
flood and all the vegetables and animals are swept up by a river.
Anansi comes out floating down the river without any harm or consequence.
ANANSI AND THE MAGIC STICK is somewhat relatable to real life
experience. Some people do manage to come out of a bad situation without
immediate consequence but not likely. I think the ending should relate a moral or lesson and not portray Anansi in such a positive light. The illustrations are colorful and lend to the story very well. The book and pages are sturdy and durable. The language is clear and does provide some humor.
I do not think the story is predictable since Anansi does not experience any
consequences to his actions. It will probably hold a child's attention due to
the funny characters and their expressions
Review Excerpt(s)
" ...the whole adds up to an enjoyable offering that is clever, funny, surprising, and traditional all at once. " - Susan L. Rogers, School Library Journal
"Bright, compelling illustrations make this story come alive." - St. Charles Public Library
"Stevens's comic creatures with their surprised expressions add kid appeal." - Publishers Weekly
Connections
*Model how to look up Africa and Liberia on a world map
Create a New Recipe
If you ended up with tons of enormous vegetables, how would you
use them? Brainstorm a list of favorite vegetable dishes and create some recipes for using giant tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, corn, carrots, etc. - http://ericakimmel.com/guides/Anansi_Stickupd.pdf. Accessed February 5. 2013.
Other books for children about magic and smart decision making.
Seeger, Pete. ABIYOYO. ISBN: 9780689878251.
Johnson, Charles R. THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE: TALES AND CONJURATIONS. ISBN: 9780452272378.
Lewis, C.S. THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. ISBN: 9780060764890.
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