On the Farmby David Elliott
illustrated by Holly Meade
Candlewick Press, 2008
This is a great book of poetry for the youngest readers. The short poems and bold pictures make it inviting. Likewise, the familiarity of the farm is a perfect fit.
The poems take the reader on a tour around the whole farm -- up by the house, through the barn, into the meadow and pasture, and out to the corn field. The collection ends with a couple of non-farm animals -- the turtles at the pond and the rabbits in the tall, unmowed grass. Perhaps the subtle message is that the farm is good for both domesticated and wild animals; for both cultivated and wild plants.
Here are a couple of my favorites from this collection:
THE BARN CAT
Mice
had better
think twice.
THE BULL
Knows what he likes --
cows and corn.
Knows what he is --
muscle and horn.
I love this poetry!!
ReplyDeleteI am doing poetry this month with students in the library. I will have to find this book-kids will love the theme.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, do you guys ever quit?? I need this one too!
ReplyDeleteCarol
This one looks like another winner. Trip to the bookstore, again!
ReplyDeleteI love the samples! Thanks for the review. It's not easy to find poetry for this age group, so I'll look out for it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great book (and perfect for Poem in Your Pocket Day, too).
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