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A Book of Flies Real or Otherwise, (1999) Richard Michelson, Illus. by Leonard Baskin. Cavendish, ISBN 0-7614-5050-5. Readers of all ages will chuckle their way through this lighthearted book of poems and text. Michelson writes the poem from a literal interpretation of the variety of flies and then follows with a factual bit of information on these insects. Baskin created the whimsical illustrations to match the literal text. This book has many integration applications for science, creative writing, and art.
Candy Corn, (1999) James Stevenson. Greenwillow, ISBN 0-688-15837-4. Stevenson has a way with words and pictures that capture moments and memories that take us back to a childhood too often forgotten.
Foreign Exchange: A Mystery in Poems, (1999) Mel Glenn. Morrow, ISBN 0-688-16472-2. If you have not done so, take the time to introduce your junior and senior high students to Mel Glenn's mysteries in poems. You won't be disappointed and are likely to hook some reluctant readers. In this one he intertwines interracial relationships with a possible murder coincidental with a visit from city kids to this small town.
I Am the Cat, (1999) Alice Schertle, Illus. by Mark Buehner. Lothrop, ISBN 0-688-13153-0. This book is a fine tribute to these wondrous felines. The poems are funny, witty, and entertaining for anyone, cat lovers or not.
Isn't My Name Magical: Sister and Brother Poems, (1999) James Berry, Illus. by Shelly Hehenberger. Simon & Schuster, ISBN 0-689-80013-4. A lovely set of poems celebrating the magic of names, siblings, parents, and difference. A couple favorites are, " Doesn't Difference Make Friends Talk?" and "Isn't My Name Magical?"
Jump Back, Honey, (1999) Paul Laurence Dunbar, Illus. by six African American Artists. Hyperion, ISBN 078682406-9. Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote poetry at the turn of this century. His poetry was often criticized because he wrote in the dialect of the people. This did not stop him from writing and we are blessed with his classic poetry today.
Laugh-eteria, (1999) Douglas Florian. Harcourt Brace, ISBN 0-15-202084-5. A fitting name for a poetry book full of funny verse and illustrations. Can you imagine what it would be like to have Florian, Prelutsky and Silverstein all in the same room sharing their humorous poetry?
Little Dog Poems, (1999)Kristine O'Connell George, Illus. by June Otani. Clarion Books, ISBN 0-395-82266-1. Any child or person who has had a dog as a pet will get many smiles and enduring memories from this collection. Even if you don't have a dog now, you might reconsider after reading this book.
Lives: Poems About Famous Americans, (1999) Lee Bennett Hopkins, Illus. by Leslie Staub. Harper Collins, ISBN 0-06-027767-X. Fourteen famous Americans from Paul Revere forward, across gender and ethnic groups, can all be found in this collection. Bennett has a knack for selecting exceptional poetry around themes that continues to add to our growing body of poetry for children and adults. If you have not discovered his book, Please Pass the Poetry, find a copy and experience for yourself Bennett's life-long passion for poetry.
No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons), (1999) Jean Pendziwol, Illus. by Martine Gourbault. Kids Can Press, ISBN 1-55074-569-7. A friendship between a young girl and a dragon that begins at the beach nearly turns into disaster when she invites him in for tea. In a fanciful rhyming story format, Pendziwol and Gourbault, have created a charming book with a message about fire safety.
Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic, (1999) Steven Schnur, Illus. by Leslie Evans. Clarion Books, ISBN 0-395-82269-6. This companion book to Schnur and Evans earlier collaboration featuring Autumn is once again a great example of acrostic poetry. As before the format lends itself to classroom writing applications.
The Low-Down Laundry Line Blues, (1999) C. M. Millen, Illus. by Christine Davenier. Houghton Mifflin, ISBN 0-395-87497-1. There ain't nothing that is going to keep these sisters from swinging from the blues. One sister is feeling down, but her younger sister is not going to give up until she's got them both jumping and singing away the laundry line blues. You can't help but catch the mood in this "a shaking and a rolling" spirited book.
The Rainbow Hand: Poems About Mothers and Children, (1999) Janet S. Wong, Illus. by Jennifer Hewitson. McElderry Books, ISBN 0-689-82148-4. Everyone will find their mother inside of Wong's poems. The poems speak to our hearts. Some favorites are: White Hairs, a poem about mother's first white hairs; Smother Love, a poem about reassurance that mother is not going to leave anytime soon; and The Rag, a poem about mom's apron which was good for runny noses or cleaning dirty faces.
What Have You Lost? (1999) Selected by Naomi Shihab Nye, Photos by Michael Nye. Greenwillow, ISBN 0-688-16184-7. This collection surrounds the theme of loss. Loss is more than losing a loved one. We suffer loss of objects, time, friends and feelings. It is certain that these poems will generate some thought and emotions from the audience who hears or reads them.