Playful Poetic Forms: Wordscapes
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By Susan Scheps
February 1, 2012
Through countless generations, in cultures across the globe, poetry has provided parents and
caregivers with a natural means to calm fussing babies and tots and (perhaps unintentionally) to
interest them in language. Singing lullabies and chanting nursery rhymes, we tune their ears to
rhythm and meaning, drawing children to the sheer pleasure of listening and reading. Poetic
wordplay nurtures the enjoyment of language in the growing child.
In the years since Shel Silverstein published “Deaf Donald met Talkie Sue” in A Light in the
Attic (HarperCollins, 1981), other creative composers of poetry for young people have found a
variety of ways to hook their audience through the use of clever language, contagious beat, and
eye-catching graphics. Inventive poetry often incorporates unique spacing of words on a page
(encouraging readers to search for a connection), variations in font and type size, and purposeful
misspellings or alternative spellings of words in order to change meaning. In concrete poems, the
words, and their arrangement on the page, become an integral part of the illustration. Wordplay
offers silliness, puns, the creation of unique sounds through blending voices, and tonguetwisting. Innovative poetic forms include acrostic and rebus; list poem; and renga, a poem
written by a number of poets, each creating one segment.
In inventive forms of poetry, readers often become a participant in the experience. It’s no wonder
that teachers at all grade levels use poetry to attract students to both reading and writing, and to
other subjects in the curriculum as well. Here, then, is an offering of exceedingly clever poetry
collections designed to stretch the imagination and the vocabulary, provide fun and
entertainment, and kick-start the creative juices, along with some helpful websites created by the
poets themselves to inspire young writers and their teachers.
Acrostic and Rebus
HARLEY, Avis. African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways. photos by Deborah Noyes.
Candlewick. 2009. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3621-0; pap. ISBN 978-0-7636-5818-2.
Gr 4-8–Each of these 18 poems features a different animal and a stunning companion photo.
Acrostics spell out a word relating to the animal. Unusual patterns, including a quintuple acrostic
and a double acrostic concrete poem, show off the poet’s innovative skills. Harley includes a
lesson on basic acrostic form and variations, and encourages readers to write their own.
LEWIS, J. Patrick. The Fantastic 5 & 10¢ Store: A Rebus Adventure. illus. by Valorie Fisher.
Random/Schwartz & Wade. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-85878-9; PLB $20.99. ISBN
978-0-375-95878-6.
K-Gr 3–When a general store magically appears at the end of town, young Benny Penny
investigates, and then helps the owners spiff it up. This is an engaging nonsensical tale written as
a rebus poem in rhyming couplets. Mixed-media collage illustrations feature vintage ads and
store items appropriate to a bygone era.
SCHNUR, Steven. Summer: An Alphabet Acrostic. illus. by Leslie Evans. Clarion. 2001. RTE
$16. ISBN 978-0-618-02372-1; ebook $16. ISBN 978-0-547-77219-6.
PreS–Gr 3–Twenty-six striking linoleum prints each hold a box of non-rhyming text. The first
letter of each line, read vertically, spells a word relating to summer and the poem’s topic, e.g.,
“awning,” “beach,” “mosquito,” “hike.” Like Schnur’s Autumn (1997), Spring (1999), and
Winter (2002, all Clarion), this volume provides both visual and aural delight.
Concrete Poetry
GRAHAM, Joan Bransfield. Flicker Flash. illus. by Nancy Davis. Houghton Harcourt. 1999. Tr
$16. ISBN 978-0-395-90501-2; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-618-31102-6.
Gr 2-5–Concrete poems celebrating various forms of light are presented in brightly colored
stylized graphic art and text in an eye-catching picture-book format. For example, a flat graphic
of a girl’s head with an O-shaped mouth (blowing) is paired with fingers pinching a “match”
made from these stacked words: “quick/flick/stick/spark/dark/glow/too-low/blow!” Other topics
include lightning, the moon, a campfire, and fireworks.
GRAHAM, Joan Bransfield. Splish Splash. illus. by Steven M. Scott. Houghton Harcourt. 2001.
(original ed. 1994). pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-618-11123-7; ebook $6.95 ISBN 978-0-547-772110.
K-Gr 3–Concrete and shape poems about water in all its forms are accompanied by bold stylized
graphics that are part of the poem. “Ocean” crosses the page in waves, a young snorkeler’s head
just visible; “Ice cubes” (squares of white words) float in a tall glass. A fun-filled way to teach
rhyme.
GRANDITS, John. Technically, It’s Not My Fault: Concrete Poems. illus. by author. Clarion.
2004. Tr $15. ISBN 978-0-618-42833-5; pap. $5.95. ISBN 978-0-618-50361-2.
Gr 4-8–Using 31 fonts printed in black, white, and red, Grandits presents episodes in the life of
11-year-old Robert, who can’t find an acceptable place to ride his skateboard and who uses
reverse speech when his teacher calls him “backward.” Eye-catching and entertaining, these
unrhymed concrete poems, shaped with words and graphics, provide perfect fare for boys.
JANECZKO, Paul B., comp. A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems. illus. by Chris
Raschka. Candlewick. 2005. (original ed. 2001). pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-763-62376-0.
Gr 4-7–Janeczko’s fun-filled compilation of visual verse is a fine example of the crafting of
words and graphics into poetry, thanks to Raschka’s clever artistic presentation, which often
makes readers a spectator as well. Ingenious watercolor, ink, and torn paper collages call for
closer inspection and invite gleeful participation.
SIDMAN, Joyce. Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry. illus. by Michelle Berg. Houghton
Harcourt. 2006. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-618-44894-4.
Gr 2-4–Two natural enemies, a dog and a cat, become buddies when they’re forced to wait out a
thunderstorm together under a park picnic table. Adjective-filled descriptive phrases, printed in
capitals, create elements of the illustration, making pictures and text inseparable. An appealing
introduction to the poetic form.
STEVENSON, James. Corn Chowder. illus. by author. Greenwillow. 2003. o.p.
Gr 1-5–In his seventh “corn poetry” book, Stevenson again demonstrates his extraordinary knack
for describing ordinary things in a few words tied to a watercolor and pen-and-ink drawing.
(“When you think/everything is/falling apart/look how many ways/there are/to hold
things/together” paired with rubber band, glue, paper clip, and string.) Concrete, shape, and
picture poems offer a natural lead-in to student writing.
Shape Poetry
LEWIS, J. Patrick. Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape. illus. by Lisa Desimini. S & S.
1998. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-439-55210-0; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-689-84889-6.
Gr 3-6–Mixed-media illustrations–photos, paper cutouts, 3-D collage, computer graphics, and
paint–incorporate the words of each concrete verse. Topics in these 19 visually playful and
cleverly composed poems include spring flowers, a synchronized swim team, an oyster family,
and a skyscraper. Creative and entertaining.
ROEMER, Heidi B. Come to My Party and Other Shape Poems. illus. by Hideko Takahashi.
Holt. 2004. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-0-805-06620-3.
PreS-Gr 2–Organized by season, these simple shape poems are an enjoyable introduction to
poetry. Child-friendly topics include dancing leaves, a birthday party, an umbrella, a jump rope,
a ladybug, plus many more. Brightly painted, cheery acrylic illustrations feature a cast of diverse
children and familiar objects.
Inventive Forms
FRANCO, Betsy. Mathematickles! illus. by Steven Salerno. Aladdin. 2006. pap.$7.99. ISBN
978-1-416-91861-5.
Gr 2-5–Visual poetry about the seasons in the form of mathematical equations (“lightning bugs x
jar = summer lantern”) are printed across colorful watercolor and gouache illustrations of leaves,
trees, woodland animals, snowy scenes, spring puddles, and a girl and her cat. Mathematical
wordplay can serve as a springboard to a fun-filled writing assignment.
LEWIS, J. Patrick. Spot the Plot: A Riddle Book of Book Riddles. illus. by Lynn Munsinger.
Chronicle. 2009. Tr $15.99.
K-Gr 2–Readers are encouraged to guess the character from children’s literature described in
each of these greatly abbreviated plot poems, for example, “Her hair’s the stairs.” Inviting
watercolor cartoon characters, children and animals in detective garb, supply visual clues and
gear the book toward the picture-book set.
LEWIS, J. Patrick & Paul B. Janeczko. Birds on a Wire: A Renga ’round Town. illus. by Gary
Lippincott. Boyds Mills/Wordsong. 2008. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-383-2.
Gr 3-6–A renga, or linked verse, is a poem written by two or more poets. One writes a three-line
stanza; the second links a two-line stanza to it, and so on. This one presents a portrait of a day in
an American village. Detail-filled two-page paintings showing the same scenes from various
angles follow the movements of people and pets.
LEWIS, J. Patrick. Spot the Plot: A Riddle Book of Book Riddles. illus. by Lynn Munsinger.
Chronicle. 2009. Tr $15.99.
K-Gr 2–Readers are encouraged to guess the character from children’s literature described in
each of these greatly abbreviated plot poems, for example, “Her hair’s the stairs.” Inviting
watercolor cartoon characters, children and animals in detective garb, supply visual clues and
gear the book toward the picture-book set.
RACZKA, Bob. Lemonade: And Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word. illus. by Nancy
Doniger. Roaring Brook. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-59643-541-4.
Gr 3-8–Raczka has rearranged letters from a single word to spell out new words, creating
engaging verses that are both poems and puzzlers. The odd spacing of letters and words makes
deciphering somewhat difficult, but each poem is printed on the verso with words in correct
order. Quiet watercolor and ink drawings complement this catchy and innovative collection.
SINGER, Marilyn. Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse. illus. by Josée Masse. Dutton.
2010. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47901-7.
Gr 3-6–Each of these 12 unrhymed poems about a classic fairy tale is paired with the same
poem, written backward, which provides another point of view. The richly painted facing
artwork is split into two interrelated pictures. Singer calls her new form “reverso” and notes that
it is especially useful for telling two characters’ sides of a story. Audio version available from
Live Oak Media.
Wordplay
AGEE, John. Orangutan Tongs: Poems to Tangle Your Tongue. illus. by author.
Disney/Hyperion. 2009. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0315-8.
Gr 1-5–With a nod to Alvin Schwartz’s A Twister of Twists, A Tangler of Tongues (Lippincott,
1972), Agee, a master at wordplay, presents an array of tongue-twisting rhymes that range from
mouth-challenging (“When it’s written really rotten,/writing’s really rotten reading.”) to laughout-loud silly, each one accompanied by an equally comical deadpan cartoon.
CLEARY, Brian P. Rhyme & PUNishment: Adventures in Wordplay. illus. by J. P. Sandy.
Millbrook. 2006. PLB $26.60. ISBN 978-1-575-05849-8.
Gr 2-5–Rhyming four-liners arranged by topic spotlight puns, which Cleary fully explains in the
introduction. The poems incorporate homonyms and words that sound alike (e.g., Beirut = Babe
Ruth). Pun words are printed in color amid the black text, and unusual words are defined on the
page. Madcap cartoon illustrations echo the verbal acrobatics.
FLEISCHMAN, Paul. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices. illus. by Eric Beddows.
HarperCollins. 1988. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-021852-2; PLB $16.89. ISBN 978-0-06021853-9; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-446093-4.
Gr 3 Up–Inventive poetic duets written in side-by-side parts to be read aloud feature the habits
and characteristics of 14 insects, including book lice, water striders, and mayflies. When read
aloud with practice, human voices morph into insect sounds. Witty pencil drawings add a touch
of humor. Audio version available from Recorded Books.
FLORIAN, Douglas. Autumnblings: Poems and Paintings. illus. by author. Greenwillow. 2003.
Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-009278-8; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-009279-5.
Gr 2-5–Florian displays his skill at wordplay in this companion to his other volumes of seasonal
poetry. Using simple rhyme schemes, invented words (“autumnatically,” “owlphabet”), and
descriptive spellings (“hi-bear-nation,” “industree”), he demonstrates that reading and writing
can be lots of fun. Selections include 10 list poems and several shape poems, all illustrated with
the author’s signature watercolor paintings.
HIRSCH, Robin. FEG: Stupid (Ridiculous) Poems for Intelligent Children. illus. by Ha.
Little/Brown. 2002. o.p.
Gr 5-8–Hirsch specializes in wordplay with “Eye Rhyme,” words that look the same but take a
different sound—bough, cough, dough, and “Ear Rhyme,” just the opposite—word, heard,
purred. He delves into palindrome, onomatopoeia, spoonerism, acrostic, and misleading word
combos—all with explanatory notes. A stylishly illustrated graphic delight for students and
teachers.
JANECZKO, Paul B., sel. A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms. illus. by
Chris Raschka. Candlewick. 2005. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-763-60662-6; pap. $9.99. ISBN 9780-763-64132-0.
Gr 3-9–Twenty-nine poems, each representing a different poetic form, some classic (sonnet,
limerick, couplet), many inventive (acrostic, concrete, riddle poem, list, and found poems), are
included in this primer. Details on each format are provided. There’s lots of humor here and
poignancy as well. A memorable introduction illustrated with fancifully stylized paint, ink, and
torn paper collages.
JANECZKO, Paul B. & J. Patrick Lewis. Wing Nuts: Screwy Haiku. illus. by Tricia Tusa. Little,
Brown. 2006. o.p.
Gr 2-6–Senryu, a poetic relative of the haiku, features riddles, wordplay, puns, and silliness,
offered here on more than one level of sophistication. Humorous ink-and-watercolor cartoon
illustrations contain clues to the poetic puns. Lots of fun!
LEWIS, J. Patrick. The Underwear Salesman: And Other Jobs for Better or Verse. illus. by Serge
Bloch. S & S. 2009. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-689-85325-8.
Gr 4-8–Lewis’s genius is on display in this finely crafted, entertaining collection of 49 poems
that describe occupations. Conversational poems in two voices, list poems, shape poems, puns,
and more, paired with zany digital collage and black line doodle illustrations, show youngsters
that poetry can take many forms.
SILVERSTEIN, Shel. Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook. illus. by author. HarperCollins. 2005. Tr
$18.99. ISBN 978-0-06-025653-1; PLB $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-028404-6.
Gr 2-8–The format is similar to Silverstein’s earlier collections, but these poems, focusing on a
young rabbit, are written in spoonerisms, phonemic wordplay in which the first sounds in one or
more pair of words are swapped. Runny’s interactions with friends and family and his
mischievous escapades are detailed in contagious nonsensical verse that begs to be mimicked.
Audio version available from HarperAudio.
SMITH, Charles R., Jr. Rimshots: Basketball Pix, Rolls, and Rhythms. photos by author. Puffin.
2000. (original ed. 1999). pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-140-56678-9.
Gr 5 Up–Smith’s variety of poetic form, rhythm, type style, and color is as dazzling as his
players’ footwork, fakes, and high-jump maneuvers. The game action is in the hip-hop and jazzdriven beat. Descriptive details of player moves, sepia photos, and layouts that allow the page to
become the court will excite young sports enthusiasts.
ON THE WEB
For Educators
PoetryTeachers.com. poetryteachers.com. Meadowbrook Press. Minnetonka, Minn. (Accessed
12/14/11).
Created by poet Bruce Lansky, this site offers lessons on writing poems in many innovative
formats—most of them funny. Articles on making poetry fun for students and performing poetry
theater provide teachers with great ideas for creative uses of poetry in the classroom.
For Students
Giggle Poetry. gigglepoetry.com. Meadowbrook Press. Minnetonka, Minn. (Accessed 12/14/11).
Gr 3-6–Poet Bruce Lansky’s award-winning site for children offers myriad activities that make
poetry fun to read and write. Sections include “Poetry Class,” simple lessons on a wide range of
poetry topics addressed to children, and “Poetry Fun,” with fill-in-the-blank poems, riddles, and
tongue twisters.
Kristine O’Connell George. kristinegeorge.com. Kristine O’Connell George. (Accessed
12/14//11).
Gr 5-9–In the “For Students” section of this award-winning site, George offers “Tips for Poets”
on how to write poetry and the importance of observation. “Poetry Thinks” includes inspiring
quotes about poetry, and podcasts of the author’s poetry are available in “Poetry Aloud.”
Author Information
Susan Scheps recently retired as Youth Services Manager for the Shaker Heights Public Library,
OH.
MEDIA PICKS
Back to the Garden. CD. 33 min. House at the Corner Music. 2011. $14.99.
PreS-Gr 1–Musician/composer Ted Jacobs presents 12 songs based on poems from Robert Louis
Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses. The poems—“The Swing,” “My Ship and I,” “Farewell
to the Farm,” “Picture Books in Winter,” and others—are sung exactly as the poet wrote them.
These lovely folk ballad, folk rock, sea shanty, waltz-time melody, and Celtic tunes are
accompanied by excellent performances on a variety of instruments, and the vocalists perform
the poems with lovely harmonies.
Bees, Snails & Peacock Tails and Birdsongs. DVD. 26 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media.
2010. ISBN 1-933938-75-7. $49.95.
PreS-Gr 2–Two books (S & S/Margaret McElderry Books, 2008, 2007) with complementary
themes written by poet Betsy Franco and illustrated by Steve Jenkins celebrate the world of
nature. Poetry and vivid textured collage illustrations introduce patterns and shapes in nature and
on animals (peacock feathers, moth wings, and more) and bird songs (while counting from ten
down to one). Franco’s well-paced narration of the short poems allows time for the movement of
the camera to focus on the illustrations.
Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. cassette or CD. 15 min. Recorded Books. 2011.
cassette: ISBN 978-1-4618-0322-5, CD: ISBN 978-1-4618-0167-2. $15.75
Gr 3-6–Myra Lucretia Taylor expressively reads Joyce Sidman’s lush verse (Houghton Mifflin,
2010) in a soothing voice that adds to the poems’ nocturnal mood. Listeners are drawn in by the
lyrical “Welcome to the Night,” which is followed by an introduction to the nocturnal world and
to the raccoon’s adaptations that make it a successful night hunter. In each of the following 10
poems, an animal or plant is introduced and its night habits are explored in a variety of poetic
forms. Then, in a brief prose paragraph, additional information about the night dweller is
presented.
Here in Harlem: Poems in Many Voices (unabr.). 2 CDs. 1:30 hrs. Live Oak Media. 2010. ISBN
978-1-43010-930-3. $22.95; with paperback book, ISBN 978-1-43010-840-5: $28.95.
Gr 6 Up–Inspired by Edgar Lee Masters’s Spoon River Anthology, Walter Dean Myers presents
another distinctive community in a series of evocative poems (Holiday House, 2004) that bring
Harlem to life. Multiple voices present a diverse community that embraces its music, history,
daily challenges, and joys. Music and sound effects enhance the mood.
If You Were a Penguin. CD. 9:04 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media. 2010. ISBN 9781-43010-864-1. $28.95.
PreS-Gr 3–How do you improve Florence Minor’s terrific book (Katherine Tegen Bks., 2008)
about the creatures that fascinate children? Add delightful music, playful penguin sounds, and a
narrator with a subtle British accent. Each spread, featuring Wendell Minor’s beautiful, detailed
art, is introduced by fun, sparse, and informative rhymes detailing the traits, habits, and talents of
penguins. Listeners are invited to imagine all the things they could do if they were penguins.
It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles (unabr.). CD. 1 hr. Harper Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-0-06-1451355. $14.95.
K-Gr 5–Jack Prelutsky has set to music and performs 28 of his poems from the book of the same
title (Greenwillow, 2000). Humorous throughout, there’s a rich variety of poetry and music.
Some of the pieces are nonsensical, such as the title poem , which lists many ridiculous items it
could rain. There are funny story poems such as “I Chased a Dragon Through the Woods,” and
thoughtful ones, such as “Plooters.”
-By Phyllis Levy Mandell