
A parent might reach for this book when their child thinks poetry is boring or finds traditional reading a struggle. This collection is a perfect antidote, especially for visual learners and creative thinkers. It's not a story but an anthology of 30 'concrete poems', where the words themselves form a picture of the topic, like a poem about a yo-yo that travels up and down the page. The book celebrates curiosity, imagination, and finding joy in looking at the world differently. For ages 7 to 12, it's a wonderfully accessible and fun introduction to poetry that feels more like a game than an assignment, showing kids that words can be playful and powerful.
There are no significant sensitive topics. One poem, 'Loneliness' by Myra Cohn Livingston, touches on a sad feeling, but it does so in a very gentle, metaphorical way. The entire collection is secular and lighthearted.
This book is perfect for the 8 to 11 year old who loves to draw, build, or solve puzzles but claims to dislike reading or poetry. They are a visual, kinesthetic learner who will be captivated by how the words form pictures. It's also an excellent resource for a child who needs a creative spark for a school poetry assignment.
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Sign in to write a reviewNo preparation is needed. A parent can hand this book to a child and let them explore. Reading Janeczko's brief introduction about concrete poetry might be helpful for context, but it is not necessary for a child to enjoy the poems themselves. A parent has just heard their child say, 'Poetry is so boring!' or has seen them struggle with a poetry unit at school. The parent is looking for a way to show their child that poetry can be fun, accessible, and not just a block of text with rhymes.
A younger child (7-8) will be delighted by the pictures the words make. They will see the 'trick' and enjoy the visual humor, for example, recognizing that the poem about a house looks like a house. An older child (10-12) will appreciate the more sophisticated wordplay, the cleverness of the construction, and how form and content are deeply intertwined. They will be more likely to be inspired to write their own concrete poems.
While many poetry anthologies exist, this one's tight focus on concrete poetry makes it unique. It serves as a brilliant, concentrated introduction to a single poetic form, making it less a general survey and more a specific, engaging masterclass. It effectively bridges the gap between visual art and literature in a way few other books do for this age group.
This book is an anthology of 30 concrete poems, a form where the typographical arrangement of words is as important as their literary meaning. Selected by Paul B. Janeczko and illustrated by Chris Raschka, the collection features poems by various authors on subjects ranging from animals (seals, fireflies) and objects (zipper, lollipop) to abstract concepts (a seeing poem made only of the letter 'i'). Each poem is a visual and verbal puzzle, inviting the reader to see how the shape of the text enhances its meaning.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.