Poetry Friday Summer Finds

Not often do I purchase books anymore without visiting my local library. Actually the librarian told me I make the best referrals for new books. I took that as a high compliment. However, I broke my rule for these two new poetry books after reading the recommendations I purchased them instantly.  

 As I researched the Green Mother goose I found this amazing website:  Poetry for Children that helped me with my final decision.  First of all I am shocked that some of my students don't remember basic nursery rhymes. I learned this the hard way when I read Spot the Plot last year and my students didn't know traditional picture books, so I have decided it's my last ditch effort to help my students remember the oldies but goodies. 

Here is the summary:  Mother Goose has gone green in this recycled book of 30 familiar Mother Goose rhymes. Jack Pratt addresses healthy eating in this new green version where he eats junk food fat and outgrows his pants. This Little Piggy saves water, bikes, uses alternative energy and squealed “Re-re-recycle!” all the way home; Mother Hubbard shops with cloth grocery bags. This eco-friendly picture book introduces recycling, organic gardening, free-range chickens, alternative energy, and protecting the environment to children through the use of nursery rhymes. The illustrations further the eco-friendly theme by creating collages from ticket stubs, newspapers, and other reused items. The book is printed with soy-based ink on paper made from mixed sources including recycled wood and fibers.

The other book I purchased is Edgar Allan Poe's Pie by J. Patrick Lewis.  This is a list of classic poems written in puzzle form. I have been searching for math openers and this will be perfect, I am so excited to share this on Friday with my math class.  Thanks Karen for suggesting it in your blog post: It's Monday, What are You Reading?   I researched it and found a great review on Kirkus Reviews.  

It is almost too easy to purchase books, but I am trying to stay true to my rule.  But I just couldn't after reading this review:  Fourteen famous poets and some of their more prominent works are the basis for Lewis’ parodies, which are all in good fun and retain the structure, rhyme and rhythm of the originals. Each poem presents children with at least one math problem to solve, and many of them require several steps to get to the final answer. The level of difficulty varies as much as the poems themselves. Teachers will appreciate the wide array of mathematics required to solve the puzzles. In addition to the four basic operations, the challenges test knowledge of fractions, percentages, decimals, area, perimeter and money.

 Poetry Friday round up is at A Teaching Life.  Thanks Tara for hosting, and I hope you enjoy your conference today. Can't wait to learn more from you!