POETRY BOOK REVIEW: A POETRY BOOK PUBLISHED SINCE 2005

POETRY BOOK REVIEW: A POETRY BOOK PUBLISHED SINCE 2005

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Rowden, Justine. 2005. PAINT ME A POEM—POEMS INSPIRED BY MASTERPIECES OF ART.
Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Boyds Mills Press ISBN 1590782895

SUMMARY
This book contains fourteen poems written by Rowden that were inspired by paintings that she encountered while touring the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. Each reproduction of a painting along with the accompanying poem is beautifully laid on a two-page spread.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

What an interesting way and pairing of two concepts that can at times be challenging for students to get a grasp of! Many students struggle with the intent and the message that an artist is trying to communicate through their paintings, especially paintings that predate the birth of the child. In addition, some students have a hard time grasping the meaning of a poem and often how to begin writing their own piece of poetry. Ms. Rowden has expertly shown children how to combine two forms of artistry-painting and poetry writing and turn them into something that a reader of any age can understand and draw their own conclusions from.

In the poem inspired by Andre Derain’s Flowers in a Vase Rowden penned this poem which describes a stem and the petals on a rose having an argument about sharing space but then start to notice the uniqueness of each other and finally coming to the conclusion that they make a great team when they realize that each one of them has something to offer to the relationship. What a great lead-in for a teacher and/or teacher librarian to use when he/she notices that some children in their respective classrooms/library are not getting along.

SO CLOSE

You seem to be awfully close;
Your stem is stepping on my toes.
I don’t think so.
Could you please tuck your leaves in a little bit?
There’s really no place to move.
At least, could you please try not to lean on me?
I don’t think I really am.
Your petals are in my face; they’re blocking my view.
That’s just the way I happen to blossom.
Could we try to get along?
You know, you are an incredible shade of pink.
Oh, you noticed!
I’m really glad you’re so close.



In a poem entitled It’s All Hidden Rowden describes how objects are not always how they first appear. A transfer of knowledge occurs when people realize that it is also true of human beings—once we get to someone on a personal level that what they look like on the outside does not matter. This particular poem was inspired by the painting done by Francisco de Goya entitled BARTOLOME SUREDA Y MISEROL.

BARTOLOME SUREDA Y MISEROL is a painting depicting a young distinguished, well-dressed gentleman posing for a portrait. In his hand he is holding a top hat with a red silk lining. The silk lining would be totally hidden from view if it were not for the fact that he is holding the hat instead of wearing it. What wonderful treasures human beings can find each other once the outer shell has been “stripped” away.

IT’S ALL HIDDEN

Sometimes a surprise
Is meant to be hidden,
Where no one suspects
What secrets are there—

Like a delicate green bud
Quietly sleeping,
Waiting for morning
To burst into purple.

Or a marshmallow-white egg
Hiding a golden yolk
Deep, deep inside
Its serene white oval.

And that black silk hat
Sitting tall on a head,
Laughing, for it knows
It is really red inside.

I found this picture of an unusual object that could be used to discuss with students how the object may have had one purpose at some point in time and now is used for a different purpose.




REVIEW EXCERPT
Booklist-“Teachers and children will find new ways to look at and respond to art in these open, freewheeling poems.”

CONNECTIONS
A couple other books where art inspired poets to create a piece of poetry:
Greenberg, Jan. 2001. HEART TO HEART: NEW POEMS INSPIRED BY TWENTIETH-CENTURY AMERICAN ART. New York: Abrams ISBN 0810943867

---, ed. 2008. SIDE BY SIDE: NEW POEMS INSPIRED BY ART FROM AROUND THE WORLD. New York: Abrams ISBN 0810994712

Here are a few of many excellent poem books that have published since 2005:

Calmenson, Stephanie. 2005. KINDERGARTEN KIDS: RIDDLES, REBUSES, WIGGLES, GIGGLES, AND MORE. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet.
New York: Harper Collins ISBN 0060007141
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. PLEASE BURY ME IN THE LIBRARY.
Illustrated by Kyle M. Stone. Orlando: Harcourt ISBN 0152163875
Kennedy, Caroline. 2005. A FAMILY OF POEMS: MY FAVORITE POETRY FOR CHILDREN. Illustrated by Jon J. Muth.
New York: Hyperion Books ISBN 0786851112
Sword, Elizabeth Hauge. 2006. A CHILD’S ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY.
New York: Harper Collins ISBN 0880013788
Wilson, Dr. Edwin Graves. 2007. POETRY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: MAYA ANGELOU. Illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue.
New York: Sterling ISBN 1402720238