mclaurin1508poetryassignment
101/105 Much better!!!
Moss, Jeff.
The Butterfly Jar.
New York: Bantam Dell, 1989.
Poetry
Summary: This is a funny and sometimes serious collection of poems for children written
by Jeff Moss. This anthology includes just about every imaginable childhood topic; from
loose teeth to clothes shopping, to having to sing for your parents' friends, tales of sibling
rivalry, ways to trick monsters, descriptions of quirky friends, learning disabilities or even
the death of a parent.
Selected poems:
Poem
Type
What Ralph said after he asked his parents
for a dog and they explained how he would
couplet
have to feed it and clean up after it and walk
it
This and That
free verse
Cow in the City
couplet
The Locked Closet
limerick
Amy and the Captain
couplet
Evaluation: The poems in this anthology are funny and sometimes there are messages
behind the silliness and sometimes Moss is just silly for the sake of being silly. Occasionally,
there is a poem with a serious theme slipped in. Poems about learning disabilities or the
death of a parent but are still reflected thru a child’s perspective. Fragment The language
in these poems is not too complex and is easy to interpret for children. Moss uses subject
matter children can relate to draw them in and keep tham captured. In many of these
poems children are able to see things thru different viewpoints, such as monsters being
scared of teddy bears and kittens.
Personal reaction: I really liked how Moss wrote about subject matter that children can
relate to. One poem talks about eating crackers in bed when he gets sick and how he hates
crumbs in his bed and decides next time he will just eat soup. As a child myself I can
remember being sick and my parents bringing me crackers in bed and the same thing
happening. This collection of poems was very enjoyable to read and is a great way to
introduce poetry to children at a young age.
Moss, Jeff.
The Butterfly Jar.
New York: Bantam Dell, 1989.
Poetry
“Sara Messenger’s Mother”
When Sara Messenger’s mother died,
Sara went into her room and cried.
She locked herself in and she wouldn’t eat
But when she came out her room was all neat
With her bed all made and no books on the floor
And her dolls on the shelf and her socks in the drawer.
Her mom had always complained of the mess.
That’s why she straightened it up, I guess.
And all that night when people came,
You could tell that Sara wasn’t the same.
A couple of weeks have passed since then,
And I wait for Sara to come back again
‘Cause she’s almost not Sara now, not the same one
Who’s all laughing and goofy and jumpy and fun.
My parents say time will pass and then
She’ll be the same old Sara again.
They say things happen and no one knows why
Like babies are born and old people die
But her mom wasn’t old and Sara’s so sad
And it isn’t fair and it makes me mad.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What are some things Sara did that let you know she was sad?
Why did Sara decide to clean her room?
What do you think Sara was doing to show she wasn’t the same?
What does it mean that “she’s almost not Sara”?
Why do you think the author said it wasn’t fair?
How did this poem make you feel?
Where are the reviews of the other two anthologies and a poem from each? -70
Please be sure to read instructions carefully.
Stevenson, James.
Candy Corn.
New York: Greenwillow Books, 1999.
Poetry
Summary: This is a collection of odes to regular things like bare feet, dumpsters, and auto
parts. This is a funny, moving, and sometimes sad collection written by James Stevenson.
Selected poems:
Poem
Type
Night
free verse
Bare Feet
free verse
Two Weeks Later
shaped
What We’re Going to Have
list
Early Morning Conversation
free verse
Evaluation: The poems in this anthology are funny and sometimes sad. The language in
these poems is not to complex for children to read and comprehend. The poems are short
but very descriptive. This collection is written uses humor children appreciate like animals
talking and dumpsters dancing. This is a great book of poetry to use to introduce children to
poetry because of the different forms of poetry. The poems were very simple but described
perfectly the topic of the poem. The words along with the illustrations would capture any
child’s attention. The poems are imaginative and are not too lengthy so children stay
captured.
Personal reaction: I liked how Stevenson wrote about ordinary things such as bare feet
and auto parts. Stevenson took items in our daily life and brought them to life. The poems
were very simple but described perfectly the topic of the poem. The words along with the
illustrations would capture any child’s attention. The poems are simple and would be easy
for children to learn and recite. I would recommend this anthology to children of any age.
Stevenson, James.
Candy Corn.
New York: Greenwillow Books, 1999.
“Dawn”
When the moment comes
When you can tell
The shy is blue, not black,
You’ll see torn bits of it
Scattered through the trees,
Fallen like confetti,
As if to say
Night is not forever—
In fact, within one hour,
A grand parade is coming
With white clouds marching.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
When does dawn come?
What do you think the grand parade is?
What make you think that?
What do you think makes the confetti?
How would you describe dawn?
Poetry
Lee, Dennis.
Dinosaur Dinner (With a Slice of Alligator Pie).
New York: Knopf: Distributed by Random House, 1997.
Poetry
Summary: This is a hilarious collection of poems by Dennis Lee, from Dinosaurs to
Alligators, to skyscrapers, to windshield wipers! Quirky illustrations add another humorous
touch to this outstanding collection that is easy to enjoy. Super silly ingredients will have
kids of all ages wanting another helping of Dinosaur Dinner!
Selected poems:
Poem
Type
Mrs. Mitchell’s Underwear
couplet
Catching
free verse
Doctor, Doctor
couplet
Tony Baloney
clerihews
Willoughby Wallaby Woo
couplet
Evaluation: This is a collection of 40 of Lee's best poems in one hilarious book with
watercolor illustrations that complement each poem. This book will have children sitting on
the edge of their seats wanting more. The illustrations reach out and grab the child into the
book. The vocabulary has a few larger words but is easy for children to comprehend. Each
poem is written thru a child’s point of view making it easy to comprehend. Some of the
poems in this collection are a little longer, but will not loose the child. These poems really
tap into a child’s imagination and bring it to life. Lee does a great job at writing poems that
bounce to rhythm and unfailingly accurate meter.
Personal reaction: The poems in this anthology are funny and enjoyable. I caught myself
laughing out loud on a few of the poems. The pictures go along with the poems and are
funny, as well. These silly, nonsense poems are great for children of all ages. I enjoyed
reading this book myself! Lee did an excellent job at capturing a child’s spirit and putting it
into words.
Lee, Dennis.
Dinosaur Dinner (With a Slice of Alligator Pie).
New York: Knopf: Distributed by Random House, 1997.
“Windshield Wipers”
Windshield wipers
Wipe away the rain,
Please bring the sunshine
Back again.
Windshield wipers
Clean our car,
The fields are green
And we’re traveling far.
My father’s coat is warm.
My mother’s lap is deep.
Windshield wipers
Carry me to sleep.
And when I wake,
The sun will be
A golden home
Surrounding me;
But if that rain
Gets worse instead,
I want to sleep
Till I’m in my bed.
Windshield wipers
Wipe away the rain,
Please bring the sunshine
Back again
1. What did the child want to do while it was raining in this poem?
2. How did this poem make you feel?
3. What made you feel that way?
4. How do you think the child felt in the poem?
5. Do you think the child liked the rain? Yes/no -1
Poetry