This charming book, bearing the subtitle ``Poems to Celebrate Patterns in Nature,'' introduces many geometric patterns from the natural world and establishes an agreeable link between aesthetic enjoyment and natural history. Any pedagogical intent quickly succumbs to the tone of wonder and delight at patterns found throughout the universe in phenomena immense and small. In ``Branches,'' Esbensen (Dance With Me, 1995, etc.) juxtaposes the branches and roots of a tree with the veins of a leaf, then with the lightning in the sky and the veins in a hand. The final poem, ``Circles,'' begins with the ripples in a pool after a fish jumps and the rings in a tree trunk, then moves to a circle of musk oxen defending their group, a dappled fawn, the planets, hibernating bears (curled in sleep), and, finally, a bedtime scene of parent and child, an arm curved around a book, the moon shining, and a cat rolled up cozily at the foot of the bed. Soft watercolors accompany the free verse; the layout reflects a use of patterns as well. A welcome collaboration. (Picture book/poetry. 8-12)
Pub Date: April 30, 1996
ISBN: 0-06-024398-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1996
In simply worded verse, George (Little Dog and Duncan, not reviewed, etc.) writes of lockers and lunches, new friends and typical experiences, as she tracks a child’s first year of middle school. She invites readers stepping across that (or any) threshold to embrace change: “Where do I fit? / Nothing is clear. / Can already tell / this will be / a jigsaw year” becomes, in “Long Jump,” “I can do anything. / All I need / is a running start,” and by “Last Day of School,” “I am shining / from the inside out.” Aside from a superficial poem about “the boy who’s so tough / the one who scares us so much,” plus a few passing anxieties, there’s little sign of tears or fears here—just a growing sense of self-confidence, a promise of good things to come calculated, and apt, to buoy up young grammar school graduates. Illustrations not seen. (Poetry. 10-12)
Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2002
ISBN: 0-618-15250-4
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2002
“EEEEEEEK! Poetry!” squeaks the dismayed dog on the cover. Readers who aren’t scared off by the warning will find within an entertaining, if uneven, array of free verse and shaped poetry selected from Glad to Wear Glasses (1990). Hegley writes of eyeglasses, dogs (including one with an alimentary problem), carrots, colors, and various other quirky topics, usually in a jocular tone but occasionally waxing earnest, as in “Bully For You”: “If you’re being bullied, / tell. / Tell your parents / tell your guardians / tell your caregivers.” The page design adds to the free-form spirit, with vivid color changes playing off each other on facing texts or backgrounds, abstract geometric shapes alongside or behind the lines, and occasional childlike cartoons. Despite some duds, like “Loaf Poem” (“I bought a loaf the other day / it came to life and ran away. / And I said, / ‘Naughty bad bread. / Naughty’ ”), this is worth considering for deeper collections where such sparklers as Paul Janeczko’s A Poke in the I (2001) have created new interest in concrete poetry. (Poetry. 8-10)
Pub Date: March 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-7636-1932-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2003
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
