Dear Wandering Wildebeest: And Other Poems from the Water Hole
by Irene Latham
illustrated by Anna Wadham
Millbrook Press, August 1. 2014
review copy provided by the publisher
What a surprise to visit an African Water Hole with Irene Latham!
The fifteen poems in this picture book introduce us to the importance of the water hole to the African grassland ecosystem. Each poem is accompanied by a short bit of nonfiction text that tells more about the water hole or the animal featured in the poem.
Working alone or in small groups, I can imagine students using this book (and others like it that combine poetry and nonfiction) as a mentor text for their own writing about an ecosystem, their neighborhood, or the cultures they are studying in social studies.
The other two rhyming/poetry books in this week's Picture Book Surprises series:
Picture Book Surprise #1 -- THE GREAT BIG GREEN by Peggy Gifford
Picture Book Surprise #2 -- JOY IN MUDVILLE by Bob Raczka
Jone has the Poetry Friday roundup this week at Check it Out.
Poetry Friday Roundup host/hostesses are still needed in July, August, November and December. Sign up here.
This is SUCH a lovely, fun book! I've read it once and have it on my "reread and feature close to pub date" shelf! Hooray for Irene and her beautiful book!
ReplyDeleteI've just seen it too and really enjoy the combination of poetry and information -- great theme for a collection. :)
ReplyDeleteReading the words "watering hole" while I'm thirsty -- nice. ;-) Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteI love nonfiction poetry books!
ReplyDeleteI just received a Wildebeest postcard from this book, direct from Irene. Looks perfect for science/poetry roundtable discussion...thanks for highlighting it!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to write up an order card for the library on Monday! Thanks for the early alert!
ReplyDeleteI love the title. I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the review, Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sneak peek, Mary Lee. I'm delighted I'll be spotlighting Irene and this wonderful book on my blog this September!
ReplyDeleteI was happy to get an early peek into Dear Wandering Wildebeest, and love the array of structures, the word-crafting, the blending of original language and a nonfiction theme. And a perfect pairing of pictures. Much to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteThanks for these three reviews - all sound really good.
ReplyDeleteThe cover illustration is lovely, and what an unique subject to write about. I can see kids liking it.
ReplyDeleteAww, belated thanks for reading, Mary Lee! The water hole is certainly a unique ecosystem, and i enjoyed writing the poems. Fun to see them making their way into the world!
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