Reginna Lewis
Section 1979
Poetry
Sandburg, Carl.
Poetry
Rainbows Are Made.
New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982.
Summary: This book opens with poems about people. The poems are written about all
different kinds of people from everyday folks to historical figures. The next section has
poems about things. The poems are written about animals and different kinds of objects.
Then the book closes with some nighttime poetry.
Evaluation: I chose this book because I remembered the author from when I was a
child. There is nothing he can’t write about. He uses every word in each poem for a
purpose. The poet uses strong descriptive words to help make the poem come alive. He
uses metaphors, alliterations and personification in a lot of his poems. He chooses words
that are both powerful and easy for children to read and understand.
Personal Reaction: I first recognized the author and opened the book. I read the first
poem and loved it. I am a Christian and the poem was about God. That caught my
attention and I really enjoyed reading most of the poems in the book. All of them had
their own distinct story. He wrote about all kinds of people and things. He brought
meaning to each poem that he wrote. I would enjoy reading some of his poems in class
and get the class to discuss different meaning the poems may have. Child love books and
love to talk about them.
Worth, Valerie.
Poetry
All The Small Poems and Fourteen More.
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1994.
Summary: This book is full of small little poems written about a variety of things. The
author writes poems with lots of words describing an object, animal or thing.
Evaluation: This book is full of poems. The poems are simple, short, and easy to read.
Each poem has its own illustration. The words are descriptive and children of all ages
will be able to understand the poems. She uses metaphors, alliterations and
personification in her poems. She can take a simple object like a door and shed a
different light on it.
Personal Reaction: I like reading simple words that are easily understood. Her poems
flow and bring the subject to life. I think reading this book can help children start to
write poems. I would use her poems to help children learn about poetry. I am always on
the go and never get a chance to soak in the world and its beauty. I really enjoyed
reading her poems it reminds me to slow down and enjoy the little, small things in life.
People take for granite a lot and she sees it all. I found myself reading page after page
just relaxing and thinking of the little things in life.
Silverstein, Shel.
Poetry
Where The Sidewalk Ends.
New York: Harper Collins, 1974.
Summary: This book is full of poems that are far-fetched and hilarious. The author
writes wild poems about off the wall funny stuff. He also did his own illustrations
throughout the book.
Evaluation: This book is full of funny imaginative poems. Most of the poems have
illustrations to help tell the story. Each poem takes you to new dimensions. Boa
constrictors eating a boy, magical erasers, and don’t forget Chester who grew another
head are some of the few poems in the book. Most of the poems in this book rhyme.
Personal Reaction: This book is one I remember in school. I really liked all the funny
poems that are written in it. Each poem is creative and imaginative. Children think
everything is funny even when adults don’t. Children will think this book is hilarious. I
liked this book the best because I love humor more than just about anything. I gave it to
my nine year old to read through.
Assignment 2
Sandburg, Carl.
Rainbows Are Made.
New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982.
From
“Timesweep”
There is only one horse on the earth
and his name is All Horses.
There is only one bird in the air
and his name is All Wings.
There is only one fish in the sea
and his name is All Fins.
There is only one man in the world
and his name is All Men.
There is only one woman in the world
and his name is All Woman.
There is only on child in the world
and the child’s name is All Children.
There is only one Maker in the world
and His children cover the earth
and they are named All God’s Children.
Sample Guiding Questions:
1. What did you like about this poem?
2. Why did you like that part?
3. Would you have added any other lines?
4. What would you have added?
5. What was the meaning of this poem?
Worth, Valerie.
All The Small Poems and Fourteen More.
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1994.
“Tiger”
The tiger
Has swallowed
A black sun,
In his cold
Cage he
Carries it still:
Black flames
Flicker through
His fur,
Black rays roar
From the centers
Of his eyes.
Sample Guiding Questions:
1. What did you like about this poem?
2. Why did you like that?
3. Did the poem paint a picture?
4. Is the poem realistic? Why or why not?
5. How did the poem make you feel?
Silverstein, Shel.
Where The Sidewalk Ends.
New York: Harper Collins, 1974.
“Spaghetti”
Spaghetti, spaghetti, all over the place,
Up to my elbows—up to my face,
Over the carpet and under the chair,
Into the hammock and wound round the chairs,
Filling the bathtub and covering the desk,
Making the sofa a mad mushy mess.
The party is ruined, I’m terrible worried,
The guests have all left (unless they’re all buried).
I told then, “Bring presents.” I said, “Throw confetti.”
I guess they heard wrong
‘Cause they all threw spaghetti!
Sample Guiding Questions:
1. What did you like about this poem?
2. Did the poet make you laugh?
3. What was funny about this poem?
4. Why do you think the poet wrote this poem?
5. What was your favorite part?