MOD 5: Performance Poetry

Bibliographic Data

Kennedy, Caroline, and Jon J. Muth. 2013. Poems to Learn by Heart. New York: Disney Hyperion Books. ISBN: 9781423108054

Summary

Caroline Kennedy compiles poems old and new by poets of varying fame. Each selection intended for a specific occasion to daily affirmation to major life events. Children may memorize these poems or adults may do so for family events.

Critical Analysis

Layout

The table of contents sorts the poetry into sections such as “Poems About the Self” and poetry about family. Each title is listed followed by the author’s name in italics. The collection is over 180 pages. It includes two indexes, one sorted by the first line of the poem, the second sorted by the author’s last name. The book concludes with acknowledgments listing other books specific poems came from.

The illustrator, Jon Muth, uses watercolor. He depicts appropriate images for the poems. His characters are ethnically diverse and photorealistic.

The Poets

Caroline Kennedy selected a wide variety of poets from contemporary poets, like Janet Wong, Nikki Grimes, and Jack Prelutsky, to classic authors, such as Herman Melville, Rudyard Kipling, and Ovid. She includes lesser-known poets as well like The Dreamyard Prep Slam Team. Many poems are included in other poetry books and are listed in the “Acknowledgments” section.

Poetic Elements

One of the first poems is by Gertrude Stein. It is actually an excerpt of “The World Is Round.” It features many poetic elements. She rhymes the words “wish” and “dish” as well as “ham” and “am.” She uses repetition and rhythm to create a catchy poem that would be easy to memorize.

In “Sick” Shel Silverstein uses simile in the line, “My tonsils are as big as rocks.” He uses hyperbole in the line, “I’m going blind in my right eye.”

Appeal

This collection has something for everyone. Kennedy included short rhythmic poems that are easy to remember as well as long and challenging poems like “The Tale of Custard the Dragon.”

As the sleeve of the book boasts, these poems include a “range of human experience.” Children will find many of the topics familiar to their own experiences like “Duty of a Student” by Edward Anthony as well as the sibling rivalry in Mary Ann Hoberman’s “Brother.” I especially enjoyed Janet Wong’s “Liberty” because it sounds like the “Pledge of Allegiance” which many children have to recite in school.

Poems can be about emotional topics too. I was touched by the poem “Defender” by Linda Sue Park because it was a powerful and reassuring way to recount what it is to lose. I think it would be the perfect poem for a coach to remember.

Overall Quality

Admittedly the quality of the poems ranges as do poems lengths and content. “Bad Morning” is by the infamous Langston Hughes, but it is only a handful of lines and does not incite much emotion or thought.

The purpose of Caroline Kennedy’s collection is to provide an opportunity to remember a poem for an occasion. The poem can be there in a time of need, to reassure, and remind us what is important. The introduction tells readers that memorizing a poem is something no one can take away from you. It is an empowering experience and an artful one as well.

Final Analysis

I would highly suggest this collection to readers of all ages. This would make an excellent gift for a child’s library. It would also be of great use in a classroom. Every librarian should own a copy to use in programming. It is a versatile collection that is excellent for performance.

Featured Poem

The Little Elf

By John Kendrick Bangs

I met a little Elf-man once,

            Down where the lilies blow.

I asked him why he was so small.

            And why he didn’t grow.

He slightly frowned, and with his eye

            He looked me through and though.

“I’m quite big for me,” said he,

            “As you are big for you.”

(Page 72)

Poem Connections

Disney Books’ website provides a PDF of activities tailored to specific grade levels and listing Common Core Standards: http://books.disney.com/content/uploads/2013/09/Poems_to_Learn_Teacher_Guide.pdf

The teaching guide recommends reading the poem “The Little Elf” aloud twice then singing it to the tune of “Row Row Row Your Boat.” Extend this activity by pairing children to perform the poem to each other in the style in which they feel comfortable. Invite them to even act out lines with each other. Let volunteers come up front and allow for children to perform together (example: one reads aloud while the other acts it out).

Teen readers can select a poem to perform from the collection. The webinar, “Innovative & Engaging Teen Programming,” suggested conducting a “Pancake Poetry” program in which a teen earns a pancake for every poem they perform. https://infopeople.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=403