POETRY : Book Reviews

 

Book Review: POETREES

1. Bibliographic Data

Florian, Douglas. 2011. POETREES. Ill. by Douglas Florian. Beach Lane Books. ISBN: B00702M6US

2. Plot Summary

This is a very first poetry book by Douglas Florian, and it is a collection of poems about trees. Florian uses witty, rhythmic and visually appealing poems to explain different types of trees, their history, and their role in the environment to young readers. He has illustrated all the poems and has incorporated the text into his illustrations in a very creative way. The poems are humorous and know how to deliver information in a smart way, using, for example, the term “his-tree” for history and at the same time making the readers appreciate the role of trees in the world. The last part of the book has the appearance of a glossary where more factual information about the trees presented in the poems can be found.

3. Critical Analysis

The pace of this collection is well controlled by Florian’s great control of rhythm and rhyme. The flow of words is natural as to mimic the motion of trees, thus making the poetry rather organic. This use of final consonant timing throughout the poems gives the text a strongly poetic and often amusing delivery.

The organization of the text in visual form also plays a crucial role in the interpretation of poetic works. For instance, in a poem about tree rings, the words are circled around a tree stump to emphasize the concepts of growth and time. In one more, the word ‘spreading’ is written across the page, which gives the visual representation of how the tree roots expand underground. Such an approach to the text layout enriches the reader’s experience and makes it more engaging and playful for children.

As for the wordplay, the author of the book is quite inventive and, at the same time, pedagogical. The title POETREES is self-explanatory, the author has used the term POETREES, a combination of POETRY and TREES to create the title of the book and, indeed the whole collection. Scientific information is introduced in a way that is both enjoyable and easy to remember. One of the funniest quatrains describes a monkey climbing up a tree and ending with the question of how he gets down being left as a ‘mystery.’  This encourages children’s interest in the questions they have and their imagination.

The pictures help to implement the concept of the poetic works and make the trees come to life. Florian’s mixed media paintings are textual and realistic, in harmony with the humorous but educational tone of the verses. The color scheme is very natural and tends to earth colors which go well with the subject of the book. The end has a glossary of trees, Glossatree, with factual information about each tree separate from the poetry, and a note from the author about why he wrote the book and his love of trees.

In general, POETREES is a perfect measure of what a children’s nature poetry book should be: it educates through entertainment, while entertaining through education, and does all this with the help of poetry.

4. Review Excerpts

• Kirkus Reviews: "Trees receive a witty and informative rhyming appreciation... The poems live up to his usual high standard... Readers and listeners will learn and laugh."
• Booklist: "Starting with the book’s title and ending with a final 'glossatree,' the wordplay in Florian’s latest poetry collection provides plenty of fun... The final fascinating notes on each tree, and on leaves, stems, and roots, spell out the call for conservation that is part of the poetry and pictures."

5. Connections

• Poetry Activity: Have students create their own shape poems about nature, using word placement to mimic elements like waves, mountains, or leaves.
• Science Connection: Use the book as an introduction to a unit on trees and their importance to the environment. Discuss how trees grow, their different parts, and how they help our planet.
• Other Books by Douglas Florian:
• INSECTLOPEDIA (ISBN: 978-0152163357)
• LIZARDS, FROGS, AND POLLIWOGS (ISBN: 978-0152052484)
• COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS (ISBN: 978-0152053726)

 

Book Review: ORCHARDS

1. Bibliographic Data

Thompson, Holly. 2012. ORCHARDS. Random House Children’s Books. ISBN: 978-0385739788

2. Plot Summary

ORCHARDS is a novel in verse that explores the themes of grief, guilt, and healing following the suicide of a classmate. The story follows Kana, a half-Japanese, half-Jewish eighth grader, who is sent to stay with her extended family in rural Japan after her classmate Ruth takes her own life. Kana struggles with anger, confusion, and self-reflection, blaming Ruth for her decision while also questioning her own role in the bullying that may have contributed to it. Through her time in Japan, she begins to reflect on her culture, family, and the weight of her choices, ultimately realizing the importance of empathy and choosing to live with purpose. The novel’s lyrical structure and introspective voice make Kana’s emotional journey raw, real, and deeply personal.

3. Critical Analysis 

Thompson’s choice of using free verse makes Kana’s thinking and feelings flow like a diary. The absence of rigid rhyme creates a sense of comfort, as if Thompson is sharing a private conversation with the reader, something Kana can easily converse with her inner thoughts. The positioning of the lines and white spaces is also done in a way that depicts the meaning of certain words; hesitation and comprehension is shown through pauses. For instance, when Kana denies doing anything, the space is left to the reader to reflect on that guilt, as she does as well. It also gives the story more depth and makes some interactions more impactful, such as her mother’s hissed response.  Japanese culture also helps Kana in her process of healing. Throughout the novel, Thompson includes Japanese words and practices, and each time she defines them, which helps the reader understand more. Obon festival is particularly significant and contributes to the development of the main ideas, especially the idea of respect for the past and decision to live in the present. Also, Newton’s Third Law of Motion is used figuratively for the unexpected news from home, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  The aftermath of Ruth’s suicide is depicted as a broken beaded necklace – every girl is now scattered, lost, and searching for her place. This scientific metaphor helps to continue the idea of the effects of actions and their consequences in a subtle way.  The organization and layout of the novel is quite good and thus makes it easy to read. Not many illustrations are used but the black and white drawings are used at moderate intervals, and they help to bring out some important concepts. The age range (12-17) is good because the book deals with issues like mental health, bullying and identity to young adults in a way  that they can relate to. The emotional effect is very intense, especially in the moments, for example, when the mother of Ruth tells the girls, “Choose to live.”

4. Review Excerpts

• School Library Journal (Starred Review): "Thompson has crafted an exquisite, thought-provoking story of grief and healing that will resonate with teen readers and give them much to discuss."
• Kirkus Reviews: "A fast-paced page-turner that explores the rippling effects of suicide."
• Booklist: "Readers will want to talk about the big issues, especially the guilt of doing nothing."

5. Connections

• Discussion Activity: Use the Newton’s Third Law metaphor in a class discussion on how individual actions can create ripple effects in friendships, families, and communities.
• Writing Activity: Have students write a personal reflection in verse about a moment they regret or learned from, mimicking the style of ORCHARDS.
• Related Books:
• FALLING INTO THE DRAGON'S MOUTH by Holly Thompson (ISBN: 978-0803739773) – another novel in verse exploring bullying and resilience.
• THE LANGUAGE INSIDE by Holly Thompson (ISBN: 978-0385374194) – a verse novel about identity and cross-cultural connections.
• INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN by Thanhhà Lai (ISBN: 978-0061962790) – a verse novel about a young girl’s refugee experience and emotional journey.

 

 

Book Review: ZOOBILATIONS!: ANIMAL POEMS AND PAINTINGS

1. Bibliographic Data

Florian, Douglas. 2022. ZOOBILATIONS!: ANIMAL POEMS AND PAINTINGS. Ill. by Douglas Florian. Beach Lane Books. ISBN: 978-1534465909

2. Plot Summary

In ZOOBILATIONS! Douglas Florian has created a playful and humorous book of poems about animals in verse and illustrations. In the form of poetry, each creature is presented with a witty turn of phrase, a pun, and a good rhythmic meter that will appeal to children and adults alike. Each poem is funny in its own way: a giraffe’s residence is called ‘Gir-Africa,’ and the caw of a crow is expressed on the phonemic level. Thus, every poem is different and funny in its own way. The jokes, the witty language, such as calling a giraffe’s habitat Gir-Africa, and playing with the sound of a crow’s caw ,  fit well with Florian’s whimsical illustrations done in chalk and in  a cartoonish fashion that suit the light mood of the poems. Full of interactive language, this collection contains bold words and visual wordplay that will appeal to young readers looking to have fun with poetry.

 3. Critical Analysis

Florian’s rhythm and rhyme are natural, which means that the reader is able to focus on the content discussed without much intervention. The rhyme scheme does not seem to be imposed in any of the poems, which makes for smooth and easy reading. Some of the other devices that he uses include word play and puns which are humorous and involve the use of pun to arrive at the meaning of a word as in the case of antelope where he plays on the word  ‘elope’ to create comedy in the poem ‘Parrots parrot.’ These creative elements are not  only fun, but also serve to teach phonemic awareness to young readers, in a fun way.

 The visual arrangement of the poems also plays a role in their meaning. For instance, Florian stands the word ‘giraffe’ vertically to mimic its tallness and has fun with the letter ‘l’ in the llama poem, using it in ‘llamas llove, llive, llike, llearn, llay. Emphasis is placed on certain words, such as the use of Star in starling and Thick and I’m strong for the African elephant, while italicizing horsing around brings out the playful aspect. The teacher can use these text features to help the young readers to decode the meaning of the text and have fun doing so.

The illustrations are also funny and are done in cartoon form and the chalk textures that the drawings have given the poems the perfect comic feel that the poems have. The cartoon-like illustrations in bright colors are in harmony with the funny and active text, which gives the feel of a lively book. The age-appropriate design of the book (for ages 4-8) will help children to be able to interact with the text in a very basic way and relate to it on a visual and linguistic level.

In general, ZOOBILATIONS! is a charming and comical poetry anthology that is accompanied by humorous artwork and offers an exciting approach to the animal world for children. In this regard, the use of language, visual word play, and rhythmic devices to develop this work makes it a good example of a poetry collection for early elementary students.

4. Review Excerpts

• Horn Book: "Florian’s experimentation with word meanings and usage models how to have fun with writing, imagery, and verse."

5. Connections

• Poetry Activity: Have students create their own animal poems using Florian’s style—playing with rhymes, puns, and creative text placement.
• Art & Literacy Connection: After reading, students can illustrate their own animal poems using chalk drawings to mirror Florian’s art style.
• Related Books by Douglas Florian:
• BEAST FEAST: POEMS & PAINTINGS (ISBN: 978-0152017377) – Another animal-themed poetry collection with engaging wordplay.
• LIZARDS, FROGS, AND POLLIWOGS (ISBN: 978-0152052484) – A playful introduction to reptiles and amphibians in verse.
• COWS AND SHEEP AND CHICKS THAT CHEEP (ISBN: 978-1534465923) – A farm-themed poetry collection similar in style and humor.

 

 

Book Review: BROWN GIRL DREAMING

1. Bibliographic Data

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2014. BROWN GIRL DREAMING. Nancy Paulsen Books. ISBN: 978-0399252518

2. Plot Summary

BROWN GIRL DREAMING is a memoir in verse, chronicling Jacqueline Woodson’s childhood as she navigates her identity and family history in both the segregated South and New York City during the Civil Rights era. Divided into five sections, the book follows her journey from birth to self-discovery, weaving in historical references to figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Ruby Bridges to provide context for the world she was growing up in. Through vivid imagery and powerful storytelling, Woodson shares memories of her strict yet loving grandmother, her mother’s struggles, and the deep bond with her grandfather, who encouraged her love of storytelling. The book also captures her early relationship with writing, detailing her hesitation to use her first composition notebook and the gradual realization that writing would become her passion.

3. Critical Analysis

Woodson’s choice to write in free verse gives the memoir a natural, flowing rhythm, making it feel like a personal conversation rather than a structured narrative. While the poems do not rhyme, their carefully chosen words and pacing create an emotional depth that enhances the storytelling. The memoir includes references to classic literature, such as Langston Hughes’ poetry, the nursery rhyme Henny Penny, and biblical stories like Adam and Eve, all of which add layers of meaning to her experiences.

Use of sensory details makes Woodson’s memories real, and the reader can almost feel like they are there with her. She describes her grandmother’s smell of Pine-Sol and Dixie Peach hair grease, the fear of racial tension although the country was desegregated, and her first composition notebook which she clung to before mustering enough courage to write in it. These details allow the reader to be a part of her journey of identity.

Woodson also uses historical and cultural markers to ground her personal story within a larger social context. The references to the Black Panthers, segregated buses, and societal expectations provide a backdrop for her childhood, showing both the progress and the struggles of the time. Moments of foreboding and foreshadowing, such as her baby brother licking the paint, add layers of meaning to her story.

The organization and design of the book make it both intimate and visually engaging. A family tree at the beginning helps readers understand her lineage, and photographs at the end further personalize her story. She also includes poems which are a response to some key events, for instance when her mother left her father, or when she was with her grandmother. These elements develop the effect of the memoir making it a very personal yet easily relatable to experience.

4. Review Excerpts

• School Library Journal: "An exquisite memoir in verse that captures the heart and history of a young girl discovering her voice."
• Booklist: "Woodson’s lyrical free verse tells a deeply personal yet universal story of self-discovery, family, and the power of words."
• Kirkus Reviews: "A powerful tribute to childhood, perseverance, and finding one’s place in the world."

5. Connections

• Writing Activity: Have students create their own memoir in verse, inspired by a significant childhood memory.
• History Connection: Use the book as a discussion starter about the Civil Rights Movement and its impact on families like Woodson’s.
• Related Books:
• OTHER WORDS FOR HOME by Jasmine Warga (ISBN: 978-0062747808) – A novel in verse exploring identity and belonging.
• LOCOMOTION by Jacqueline Woodson (ISBN: 978-0399231155) – Another novel in verse about a young boy’s journey of self-expression.
• FEATHERS by Jacqueline Woodson (ISBN: 978-0399239892) – A lyrical story about hope and change.