Lunch Money And Other Poems About School

Lunch Money And Other Poems About School

By Carol Diggory Shields

Illustrated by Paul Meisei

Puffin Books

Copyright 1995

pp.40

Lunch Money And Other Poems About School

Themed Poem Collection by a Single Author

     This collection of poems by Carol Diggory Shields is sure to become a favorite among the elementary set. The twenty-four humorous poems about all aspects of dealing with school are certain to tickle the funny bones of many students. Students will be able to easily grasp the meaning of each poem because the poems are about many familiar events and because they can draw on their personal experiences. When the poems are read aloud, the rhythm and tempo help to create vivid images in the listeners’ minds. I believe these poems would make a great lesson about how to read a poem. These poems would help students experiment with varying their reading by using rhythm, pitch, tempo, and expression. The illustrations are enchanting and colorful. Students will find them visually appealing because they are representative of their own lives and classrooms.

     Two of my favorites are Clock-watching and Code. When one begins reading Clock-watching, he or she assumes it is about a student waiting for the end of the day.  However, there is a twist at the end; it is really the teacher. I think students will truly get a laugh out of this poem when they figure it out. I also enjoyed Code, which is about a student who has to stay home from school because he has a code (cold). The play on words is sure to amuse when read aloud.

Morning Noon and Nighttime, Too

Morning Noon and Nighttime, Too

By Lee Bennett Hopkins

Illustrated by Nancy Hannans

Harper & Row

Copyright 1980

pp.50

Morning Noon and Nighttime, Too

Poem Anthology

     The poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins in this delightful book follow a typical day in the life of a child. The book begins with several poems about morning activities. The humorous Making Beds by Steven Kroll and See, I Can Do It by Dorothy Aldis are two rhymed poems with which students are sure to be able to make connections in their lives. The book then moves through many familiar daily experiences such going to school, eating lunch, playing, eating dinner, and getting ready for bedtime. Most of the poems are rhymed verse, although there are a few free verse poems mixed in through out the book. Several poetic devices such as alliteration, metaphors, and onomatopoeias are used in numerous interesting and creative ways by the assorted authors. Nancy Hannans’s simple pencil drawings help readers to understand these devices and the meaning of many of the poems.

      I believe an anthology book is a great way to introduce students to the many different ways of creating a poem. Each student is sure to find a favorite among the various styles featured in the book. One of my favorites was Speak Clearly by Martin Gardner. In this poem, a father is trying to explain to his son the importance of not speaking with his mouth full of food, which is a daily occurrence at my house. The poem ends with the father answering the son’s question with his own mouth full. I enjoyed the rhythm of the poem and think it would be very interesting to see if the students could decipher what is being said.

Hello Ocean

Hello Ocean

By Pam Munoz Ryan

Illustrated by Mark Astrella

Charlesbridge Publishing

Copyright 2001

pp.30

Hello Ocean

Single Poem Picture Book

     This beautifully illustrated picture book takes the reader on trip to the ocean using his or her five senses. I vacation at the beach every summer, and this book brought to life the smells, tastes, noises, sensations, and beauty of the ocean. At times, I felt I could actually smell the salt in the air and hear the roar of the waves as they crashed onto the beach. This would be a great book to use in the classroom for a lesson on imagery or connecting with students. There are many sensory images, metaphors, and exciting verbs and adjectives to delight even the youngest readers. The stunning illustrations remind me of photographs that have been painted over and allow the reader to believe he or she is actually at the ocean. I would definitely add this dazzling picture book to my elementary classroom library.      

David Gets in Trouble

David Gets in Trouble

By David Shannon

The Blue Sky Press

Copyright 2002

pp.32

     The picture book David gets in Trouble by David Shannon sends a powerful message about making choices, taking responsibility, and saying, “I’m sorry” , to both children and adults. The cover of the book shows David sitting in “time out”, a common occurrence for many children. Next, the book opens to a beautifully illustrated title page from David’s point of view, a towering upset adult, which makes me wonder what he has been up to now.

     As the book continues, David is seen getting into trouble in various ways. Many of the situations are of his own making such as pulling the cat’s tail and skate boarding in the house. I believe these situations help the reader to stop and think about the choices people make. While viewing the pictures, I asked myself if David could have made a better choice and what would my response have been if my children had done that. David does get into some situations that can be considered accidents such as hitting the baseball through the window.  This helps the reader understand the importance of taking responsibility for his or her actions. This situation makes me think of the title page with the towering, upset adult and how hard it is for children or even adults to admit mistakes to an imposing authority figure.

     At the end of the book, David finally realizes the importance of owning his actions and admits he is sorry. His mother then comforts him as he goes to sleep. I feel this sends an important message about the power of forgiveness. I know, as a parent, I often get angry when my children do not make good choices, but I need to remember how comforting it is to them to hear that I will always love them no matter what they have done.

     In my opinion, David Gets in Trouble is a beautifully illustrated book that needs to be shared between adults and children, so they can both understand the effect their actions and words can have on other people.

Round Trip

Round Trip

By Ann Jonas

Mulberry Books

Copyright 1983

pp. 32

     The book Round Trip by Ann Jonas is a feast for the eyes that features black and white illustrations taken from different perspectives. The story begins with a family’s trip to the city during the day, and instead of ending on the last page, the reader flips the book upside down to reveal the family’s journey back home to the country during the evening. I found the book to be an intriguing, clever one that kept me wondering how the next picture would follow the storyline. There were several illustrations on which I had to really focus and use my imagination to see the illustrator’s idea. I actually read the book three times and found something different each time. I believe the author’s/illustrator’s use of positive and negative space was an imaginative and intelligent way to grasp the reader’s attention. While I was reading, I began to wonder how many views of places or things I take for granted each day.  Perhaps, on closer inspection they would reveal themselves to be more than just what meets the eye.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

By Mo Willems

Hyperion Books for Children

Copyright 2003

pp. 36

     Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems is a simply and beautifully illustrated book that draws the reader into the book as an active participant. The title page draws the reader in by having the bus driver ask the reader to do him a favor. The bus driver and the pigeon talk to reader as if they can see him or her through the pages of the book. I found myself talking back to the characters in my head. I was reminded of my children, who constantly keep asking me to do something even though I have told them no several times. They, like the pigeon, keep hoping I will change my mind. The illustration, in which the pigeon has the black mark over his head and seems exasperated with reader, made me think of the way my children look after I have told them no for the umpteenth time.  I also enjoyed the illustration and text that is divided into four parts on each page. The pigeon just keeps coming up with reasons to wear the reader down, not unlike my children. The reader is left wondering at the end of the book as to what will happen next. I believe this is a great way to end the book because the ending is formulated by the reader’s imagination. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is a wonderful, interactive read aloud that I believe many children will enjoy because it puts them in the driver’s seat.

Ben's Dream

Ben’s Dream

By Chris Van Allsburg

Houghton Mifflin Company

Copyright 1982

pp.32

     In the picture book Ben’s Dream written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, the reader is taken along on a wonderful dream about historic landmarks.  Or, is it really not a dream? This is the question the book leaves the reader wondering. I enjoy this type of ending because it provides a multitude of possibilities for discussion. Dreaming and the state of semi-consciousness have always been favorite topics of mine because there are no definite answers, only possibilities. This book made me wonder if people can enter each other’s dreams and if people share dreams. I also loved the detailed illustrations on each page of the book. Allsburg’s use of line and perspective is wonderful; it makes the reader feel as if he or she is actually on the journey with Ben. The reader must pay close attention to the details in illustrations to help with the ending. When I first picked up the book, I thought it would be an easy read.  Howevr, I realized that it is actually a much more thought provoking and entertaining book for readers of all ages than I realized.