Nostalgic images and low-key observations characterize this collaboration. The authors preface their work with a brief definition of the probably unfamiliar form called renga. A traditional Japanese verse form, renga can be simply translated as “linked verse,” though the rules governing its creation are apparently considerably more complicated. In this case, Lewis and Janeczko took turns writing five-line verses that take readers on both a temporal and physical journey. From the banks of a country creek through a series of encounters among small-town citizens, to the eponymous birds, the poems illuminate a single day. Realistic paintings in muted colors show the world from a variety of perspectives and help readers find connections between verses that follow one another as well as those that appear farther apart. Even with these visual cues, young listeners may need some assistance following the flow (and they may find the generally old-fashioned feel a bit off-putting). Once they grasp the concept, however, it seems likely that they would enjoy following the poets’ advice and trying their own hands at renga. (Poetry. 6-9)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59078-383-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Wordsong/Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2008
With an eye toward easy memorization, Katz gathers over 50 short poems from the likes of Emily Dickinson, Valerie Worth, Jack Prelutsky, and Lewis Carroll, to such anonymous gems as “The Burp”—“Pardon me for being rude. / It was not me, it was my food. / It got so lonely down below, / it just popped up to say hello.” Katz includes five of her own verses, and promotes an evident newcomer, Emily George, with four entries. Hafner surrounds every selection with fine-lined cartoons, mostly of animals and children engaged in play, reading, or other familiar activities. Amid the ranks of similar collections, this shiny-faced newcomer may not stand out—but neither will it drift to the bottom of the class. (Picture book/poetry. 7-9)
Pub Date: March 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-525-47172-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2004
A dozen familiar dinosaurs introduce themselves in verse in this uninspired, if colorful, new animal gallery from the authors of Commotion in the Ocean (2000). Smiling, usually toothily, and sporting an array of diamonds, lightning bolts, spikes and tiger stripes, the garishly colored dinosaurs make an eye-catching show, but their comments seldom measure up to their appearance: “I’m a swimming reptile, / I dive down in the sea. / And when I spot a yummy squid, / I eat it up with glee!” (“Ichthyosaurus”) Next to the likes of Kevin Crotty’s Dinosongs (2000), illustrated by Kurt Vargo, or Jack Prelutsky’s classic Tyrannosaurus Was A Beast (1988), illustrated by Arnold Lobel, there’s not much here to roar about. (Picture book/poetry. 7-9)
Pub Date: March 1, 2005
ISBN: 1-58925-044-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2005
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