Poetry

The Great Frog Race and Other Poems
Written by Kristine O’Connell George
Illustrated by Kate Kiesler
Clarion Books, 1997
Poetry, Picture book K-5

Spring Wind

Smelling of lavender,
softly fluttering the curtains,
she looked inside,
then floated in
for tea.

She sat in the wing chair,
Long elegant fingers
tracing linen lilacs.

After tea
she whispered her thanks,
lifted her silk skirts,
and rustled away.

This poem gives the simple character of wind a new description for wind is given the quality of a human which is personification. The image created by this poem is very vivid! I can just imagine sitting by the window, feeling the wind and smelling the smell of lavender while drinking tea. The wind is given person qualities, for the poem says that the wind looks, sat, has elegant fingers, whispers, and lifts her skirts. While younger children may not like this poem because it does not contain humor and contains visual imagery, older students would be able to appreciate the imagery and unique description of the wind.

Little Dog Poems
By Kristine O’Connell George
Illustrated by June Otani
Clarion Books, 1999
Poetry, K-3

Cold Nose

Little Dog’s cold nose
is better than any
alarm clock.

Warrior

Little Dog barks
to call me
to witness
the triumph-
one cornered beetle.

Cozy

Little Dog tugs
an enormous pillow
all the way across the room
to sit beside the fire
with me.

Bedtime

No one will ever guess
that the lump under my blanket is
Little Dog.

These poems are very precious and are great for younger children because they contain humor and familiar experiences with pets. The fact that these poems are told from a narrative point-of-view makes them appeal to younger children. The images created with the narrative poems are easy for students to create. They can just imagine Little Dog as he is waking the little girl up in the morning, as he is barking at a beetle, and pulling the pillow across the room to sit beside his friend.

Poetry

Hopscotch Love: A Family Treasury of Love Poems
Written by Nikki Grimes
Lothrop, Lee, & Shepard Books, 1999
Poetry, K-2

Christmas Valentine

I asked Mama
What she wanted
For Christmas
“Honey,” she said
“All I want is you.”
But I’m way too big
To fit under the tree
So, when she
Wasn’t looking
I snuck into
Her sewing room
For scraps of velvet,
Gold ribbon, and lace.
And got my tracing paper
From out of my desk
And grabbed the glue.
Then two days later
I gave Mama
Her very first
Christmas valentine.
I’d pasted my picture
Smack in the middle.
And I could swear a little tear
Ran down her cheek
When I said,
“Merry Christmas, Mama.”

This poem is so sweet and I believe that students could relate to this poem because all children enjoying creating masterpieces for their loved ones.
Nikki Grime’s collection of poems are truly unique and as she says, “Most of my material derives from a lifelong discipline of observing people around me, both young and old.”
The image that this poem creates is one of love and determination. Readers can just imagine the young child creating the Christmas Valentine with a determined look on his/her face. Readers can also imagine the tear that falls down the Mother’s face. The form of the poem affects the look of the poem, the readers’ progress through them, and the emphasis given to some of the words. The form of this poem is similar to that of a list, which leads students to have to read one line at a time, making it easier for students who may be beginner readers. I also believe that this poem offers insight, leading students to say, “Yes! That’s it!” Readers can see how special and meaningful it is to make a card or note for someone who they deeply care about.