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Flicker Flash
This remarkable collection of concrete poetry gives shape to light in its many forms. From the flicker of birthday candles to a flash of lightning, the powerful beam of a lighthouse to the gentle glow of a bedside lamp, light illuminates our world in wondrous ways.
Join poet Joan Bransfield Graham and artist Nancy Davis in a fantastic exploration of light, and open your eyes to an amazing new way of perceiving poetry.
Join poet Joan Bransfield Graham and artist Nancy Davis in a fantastic exploration of light, and open your eyes to an amazing new way of perceiving poetry.
32 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 28, 2013
ometimes concrete poetry annoys me by being a bit too focused on the "shape" of the poem and I don't love the "sound" quite as much. But I felt that most of these served both well. I did read several of them aloud to my son. He is only three months old so not exactly the target audience ;-) but I enjoyed the way they sounded and also how it felt saying them. I enjoyed almost all of the poems to one degree or another, but my favorites are "Light", "Birthday Candles", "Porch Light", "Lighthouse" and "Lamp" (I feel that way sometimes when I read at night!) "Television" and "Refrigerator Light" made me chuckle. I enjoyed the concept and the different sorts of light represented. I am getting her book, "Splish Splash", about water from the library next ;-)
June 7, 2013
With poems that fit the shape of the object being describes, this book is very entertaining and informative. We loved the rhyming poems and I loved that the poems were both educational and interesting. The illustrations are not overly complex, and the poems comprise a good part of the pictures. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
This story was selected as one of the books for the June 2013 - Poetry discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This story was selected as one of the books for the June 2013 - Poetry discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
April 29, 2011
I am always amazed at anyone who can write poetry, but then to do it in a shape and have it all make sense?! Definitely gets my nod. Colorful pictures. Fun poems. Can see them being used in different ways with many different ages.
April 18, 2018
Flicker Flash is a book with a collection of poems that each show the enjoyment of different forms of light from the sun, to candles, television and so on. Overall it does a good job at including a variety of appropriate vocabulary. The language for each object makes sense as to why it could have been chosen, and each poem is a good length for the written age group. One thing I didn’t like was style of some poems. There are a few where the words are slightly broken up and written up and down rather than left to write which could be confusing since this book is something I would see younger elementary students reading. I would however incorporate this book into my classroom before we learn more about light and its multiple forms. I think it would be fun for students to get some background before getting into a more in-depth science lesson.
June 17, 2019
Summary:
This is a collection of poems about objects that produce light. They are all concrete poems. The shape created by the words provides a visual to reflect the meaning of the poem. Some examples of objects are a lamp, lightning bolt, full moon, spotlight, television, firefly, etc. All of the poems rhyme.
Review:
This is a great book to introduce concrete poems to students. It serves as a great mentor text, not only for concrete poems but for rhyme scheme as well. It also has a lot of great descriptive language. It models thinking out of the box for the reader by describing all of these various things around us that produce light.
This is a collection of poems about objects that produce light. They are all concrete poems. The shape created by the words provides a visual to reflect the meaning of the poem. Some examples of objects are a lamp, lightning bolt, full moon, spotlight, television, firefly, etc. All of the poems rhyme.
Review:
This is a great book to introduce concrete poems to students. It serves as a great mentor text, not only for concrete poems but for rhyme scheme as well. It also has a lot of great descriptive language. It models thinking out of the box for the reader by describing all of these various things around us that produce light.
October 26, 2016
Second Poetry Review
Flicker Flash is a picture book of concrete poems that center on the topic of light. Each poem has a different shape. For example, one poem is in the shape of a candle. I would use this book for students in kindergarten and above. The illustrations are very colorful. I would use this book in a science unit on light. I found this book to be informational and provide students with facts about light. For example, facts on the sun, Thomas Edison, and Ben Franklin.
Flicker Flash is a picture book of concrete poems that center on the topic of light. Each poem has a different shape. For example, one poem is in the shape of a candle. I would use this book for students in kindergarten and above. The illustrations are very colorful. I would use this book in a science unit on light. I found this book to be informational and provide students with facts about light. For example, facts on the sun, Thomas Edison, and Ben Franklin.
April 11, 2018
The text of these poems take the shape of the subject matter. The children loved guessing what the poems were about before reading them. The poems were short, lyrical, and fun.
A joy for all of us.
-Mom
A joy for all of us.
-Mom
April 16, 2018
In Flicker Flash by Joan Bransfield Graham, it uses a picture book and a little amount of text teach children about the different ways we can light. I think this story is very interesting because it uses rhymes in the text but is still educational while making the book fun to read. -Lea Fabrizzi
September 20, 2018
Poetry
This is a good book for teaching about poetry (specifically shape poems) and imagery/sensory words.
This is a good book for teaching about poetry (specifically shape poems) and imagery/sensory words.
November 29, 2018
Poetry
K-5
I like the happy feel of the book because it focuses on light. I liked reading each poem especially because it was written in a fun way on the page to go with the illustrations.
K-5
I like the happy feel of the book because it focuses on light. I liked reading each poem especially because it was written in a fun way on the page to go with the illustrations.
February 27, 2020
I can see why this is popular. However, I personally wasn't enamored. And the illustration for Porch Light is bad science, and the poem about Ben Franklin warrants discussion. Accuracy matters!
February 4, 2021
Very clever shape poems.
April 19, 2024
Beautiful book of shape poems
Read
October 13, 2015 Title: Flicker Flash
Author: Joan Bransfield Graham
Illustrator: Nancy Davis
Genre: Poems, Picture Book
Theme(s): Light, Science
Opening line/sentence: Light, light, stretch my sight, bend back corners of the night.
Brief Book Summary: This book is a collection of short poems that all tie into the overarching theme of light. Each page is filled with colorful, bold text in a unique layout, focusing on a different form of light.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Naomi Shibab Nye
What a well-lit book! Imagine poems about light shaped like a firefly, a matchstick, a campfire, a crescent moon. This stunningly delicious collection of Joan Bansfield Graham's poems about light captivates the eye as well as the ear. Read this book to the very young, right when they're learning to reach (again and again and again, if I recall) for the light switch. Read it to older children, to encourage them to experiment with word placement on the page. It will spark their batteries.— Riverbank Review
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Graham, Joan Bransfield Flicker Flash
32 pp. Houghton (Houghton Mifflin Trade and Reference Division) 1999. ISBN 0-395-90501-X
(2) K-3 Illustrated by Nancy Davis. In a follow-up to Splish, Splash, twenty-three poems celebrate light in forms familiar to young children, such as birthday candles and the full moon. Graphic design is the outstanding feature here, as the typography is used to intensify the shapes of the poems, not only with size and placement but with color as well, so that the words themselves become part of the surrounding illustration. This should have appeal to visual learners.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of these reviews touch upon the fact that each poem in this collection is formatted in it’s own unique way. As the Houghton recommendation mentions, this outstanding typography is visually appealing for readers of all ages. Lastly, I really like how the Naomi Shibab review mentions that older kids can use this book as an example to experiment with word placement on a page.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is absolutely incredible for two reasons. First off, the illustrations are very bright, and eye catching. Secondly, each poem takes the form of the specific aspect of light it’s focusing on. The poem about a firefly for example, is formatted in the shape of a firefly’s body. I also really enjoyed how each poem is brief and simple; nothing too overwhelming for an early reader.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book would be perfect to use in a 3rd- 5th grade setting. It could be used as an introduction to a science lesson, focusing on different aspects of light such as the sun, moon, and stars. It could also be used as an opener to a lesson about electricity. Lastly, this book is a great reference for kids learning how to write poetry and rhyme schemes.
Author: Joan Bransfield Graham
Illustrator: Nancy Davis
Genre: Poems, Picture Book
Theme(s): Light, Science
Opening line/sentence: Light, light, stretch my sight, bend back corners of the night.
Brief Book Summary: This book is a collection of short poems that all tie into the overarching theme of light. Each page is filled with colorful, bold text in a unique layout, focusing on a different form of light.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Naomi Shibab Nye
What a well-lit book! Imagine poems about light shaped like a firefly, a matchstick, a campfire, a crescent moon. This stunningly delicious collection of Joan Bansfield Graham's poems about light captivates the eye as well as the ear. Read this book to the very young, right when they're learning to reach (again and again and again, if I recall) for the light switch. Read it to older children, to encourage them to experiment with word placement on the page. It will spark their batteries.— Riverbank Review
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Graham, Joan Bransfield Flicker Flash
32 pp. Houghton (Houghton Mifflin Trade and Reference Division) 1999. ISBN 0-395-90501-X
(2) K-3 Illustrated by Nancy Davis. In a follow-up to Splish, Splash, twenty-three poems celebrate light in forms familiar to young children, such as birthday candles and the full moon. Graphic design is the outstanding feature here, as the typography is used to intensify the shapes of the poems, not only with size and placement but with color as well, so that the words themselves become part of the surrounding illustration. This should have appeal to visual learners.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of these reviews touch upon the fact that each poem in this collection is formatted in it’s own unique way. As the Houghton recommendation mentions, this outstanding typography is visually appealing for readers of all ages. Lastly, I really like how the Naomi Shibab review mentions that older kids can use this book as an example to experiment with word placement on a page.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is absolutely incredible for two reasons. First off, the illustrations are very bright, and eye catching. Secondly, each poem takes the form of the specific aspect of light it’s focusing on. The poem about a firefly for example, is formatted in the shape of a firefly’s body. I also really enjoyed how each poem is brief and simple; nothing too overwhelming for an early reader.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book would be perfect to use in a 3rd- 5th grade setting. It could be used as an introduction to a science lesson, focusing on different aspects of light such as the sun, moon, and stars. It could also be used as an opener to a lesson about electricity. Lastly, this book is a great reference for kids learning how to write poetry and rhyme schemes.
November 27, 2013
Flicker Flash is composed of several different concrete poems. Each poem is about a form of light. The light poems range from the flickering lights of birthday candles to a lightning bolt. Readers are given a textual and visual representation of the different types of light that illuminate our lives.
The poem titled, “Campfire” is a great example of an impactful concrete poem. This poem is in the form of a campfire. The colors used for the text accurately depict a campfire and help create imagery for the readers. The flames of the campfire are made up of red and orange colored words that help describe the essence of campfire light. Although this is a concrete poem, there is other artwork on the page that enhances the message of the text. For example, the poem mentions toasting marshmallows and there are two marshmallows roasting over the fire. This form of poem and the extra imagery adds a lot to the poem and it could potentially help struggling reading grasp the message of the poem more clearly.
Some of the poems in Flicker Flash are very informative and others are more focused on style. This inconsistency could leave readers feeling confused about the different light sources. If the poems had more insightful information, the book might serve more purpose than just concrete poetry.
The poem titled, “Campfire” is a great example of an impactful concrete poem. This poem is in the form of a campfire. The colors used for the text accurately depict a campfire and help create imagery for the readers. The flames of the campfire are made up of red and orange colored words that help describe the essence of campfire light. Although this is a concrete poem, there is other artwork on the page that enhances the message of the text. For example, the poem mentions toasting marshmallows and there are two marshmallows roasting over the fire. This form of poem and the extra imagery adds a lot to the poem and it could potentially help struggling reading grasp the message of the poem more clearly.
Some of the poems in Flicker Flash are very informative and others are more focused on style. This inconsistency could leave readers feeling confused about the different light sources. If the poems had more insightful information, the book might serve more purpose than just concrete poetry.
June 11, 2013
I liked this book a lot. Each of the poems have something to do with light (cameras, light house, match, birthday candles, full moon, sun, etc.). Each poem is a shape poem, which I enjoy teaching my students to write. The poems are fun; most rhyme, a few are a little more introspective, but most are more descriptive. I think kids could relate to these and it would be a great resource when teaching shape poetry. My favorite poems are Match, Birthday Candles, Lightning Bolt (News flash! Ben Franklin uses kite and key to unlock electricity)... but written to look like a lightning bolt.
Oh and Refrigerator Light:
Open
the
door.
By
the
light
in the
refrigerator,
I can plainly see
that the Brussels
sprouts are meant
for Y O U...the
chocolate cake's
for me.
(It looks better in the book where the font size changes and it is shaped to look like a lightbulb.)
Fun. Good for younger readers. My 8 and 10 year old liked many of these poems.
Oh and Refrigerator Light:
Open
the
door.
By
the
light
in the
refrigerator,
I can plainly see
that the Brussels
sprouts are meant
for Y O U...the
chocolate cake's
for me.
(It looks better in the book where the font size changes and it is shaped to look like a lightbulb.)
Fun. Good for younger readers. My 8 and 10 year old liked many of these poems.
June 27, 2013
Flicker Flash was not only a wonderful rhyming poetry book , but also a very educational book for children. Each page has a word associated with flight on it. The each word is described through a poem that is in the shape of that particular light object. For example the first poem is called SUN and in the shape of a sun a beautiful poem is written about the sun. Fun facts are even given throughout the poem like 93,000,000 mile away. Another poem is written about candles describing them as a dancing vision of light. The poem titled lightning bolt is written in the shape of a lightning bolt with Ben Franklin flying his kite in front of it. My favorite line of that poem reads “ Ben Franklin uses kite and key to unlock electricity”. Thomas Edison is also featured in this poetry book with a poem about the light bulb. My favorite poem of the whole book is at the very end. It is a poem about campfires. The poem is written in the shape of flames coming of a fire. The best line reads “ marshmallow toaster.” I love camping and I love roasting marshmallows so this poem was right up my alley.
February 25, 2015
Age range: 4-8
I loved this one because it shows different types of light. Also, it has a colorful picture and organizes the words in different shapes in each pome.
This book is a good resource for children to learn about science because it contains essential information; Foe example, “from 93,000,000 miles away I bring you this dynamite, ring- a- ding day.” Children learn that the sun is 93,000,000 are away from the earth, and Thomas Edison invented light bulb. Also, “earth is spinning toward the light, first it’s day, and then it’s night.”
The illustrations are gorgeous, and the pomes are amazing. It has good language like scatter, winks, dynamite, and squeezed, and the pomes are very easy to read and understand like the full moon pome “Like a MIRROR, far away, moon REFLECTS the flames of day, in a SILVER kind of way.”
As a teachers I could use this book as model for children to try writing a pome.
I loved this one because it shows different types of light. Also, it has a colorful picture and organizes the words in different shapes in each pome.
This book is a good resource for children to learn about science because it contains essential information; Foe example, “from 93,000,000 miles away I bring you this dynamite, ring- a- ding day.” Children learn that the sun is 93,000,000 are away from the earth, and Thomas Edison invented light bulb. Also, “earth is spinning toward the light, first it’s day, and then it’s night.”
The illustrations are gorgeous, and the pomes are amazing. It has good language like scatter, winks, dynamite, and squeezed, and the pomes are very easy to read and understand like the full moon pome “Like a MIRROR, far away, moon REFLECTS the flames of day, in a SILVER kind of way.”
As a teachers I could use this book as model for children to try writing a pome.
November 5, 2011
"Flicker Flash" is a poetry book and is geared towards the age group of children P. This book includes 23 poems about different things that have to do with light. One poem is about a light house, while the next poem would be about birthday candles. This book tells all about lights and how there is light around you all the time, even if you dont really realize it.
I gave this book a rating of 5 stars. It was very well written with the language, very easy for children to read and understand completely. The illustrations were my favorite about the book. They were so vibrant and contrasted against one another. I would love to have this book in my classroom when I become a teacher and maybe could even help in a science study of some sort.
I gave this book a rating of 5 stars. It was very well written with the language, very easy for children to read and understand completely. The illustrations were my favorite about the book. They were so vibrant and contrasted against one another. I would love to have this book in my classroom when I become a teacher and maybe could even help in a science study of some sort.
May 2, 2013
I almost passed on this one. My kid found it at the library and put it in my lap, but briefly leafing through it I was at first put off by the style of the illustrations, which I found rather hideous. My son insisted however, and wouldn't let me put it away, so we ended up reading through the poems. And it was a fun and positive experience. As we progressed through the book, I started appreciating these examples of "concrete poetry", all around the theme of light. Some of them are pretty amazing, as the one with the candle, the lighthouse, the one about the sun and the earth, or the firefly. My son was intrigued and enchanted by the way the words made up both the verse and the illustration, and I took pleasure in reciting the short poems, some of which flowed really well actually.
April 28, 2015
Flicker Flash by Joan Bransfield Graham and illustrated by Nancy Davis is a cute poetry book written in limerick form. Each poem portrays some form of light weather it be a "the lime light," the sun, or a candle. The words form a picture that directly correlates with the poem. Both clever and entertaining, this book could be great to begin a lesson on light, merely to peak some interest. This book is light hearted (wink wink) at its finest. I would definitely share this students or children of ages 5+. I give it 4/5 stars.
September 12, 2010
This book is comprised of poems that integrate science and social studies into literature through poetry. The main focus of this text are facts about different sources of light. Young readers will be able to make connections to the text by having experienced these forms of light, for example, the sun. They will also enjoy this book's variety of illustrations. This book could be used in the classroom when exploring light and/or poetry for young readers.
August 3, 2010
Some concrete poetry based on light. The poems come with some nice illustrations with the poems of course in the shape of the object being described. The objects range from the sun, moon, stars to lights as specific as incubator lights. This is a nice thematic collection of poetry with some very visual vocabulary.
March 8, 2012
Nothing's cuter than these concrete, or shape, poems. Children will love the bright pictures and words that stretch to become the poem's topic. These poems are far from gimmicky. Even if they were not drawn into interesting shapes, the words alone would make for a wonderfully exciting read. Since each poem is on a different topic, these poems can be easily added to any lesson.
January 9, 2011
I'm rather picky about my poetry, but this book passes muster! The shape poems in this book, all about light, are varied in tone, style, and approach. This is one of the neatest poetry books I've read in quite a while!
September 2, 2014
Great book of poems that center around the subject of light. The poems are fun to read, and shaped into the subject. The author and illustrator collaborated well on this collection!
Great for 1st gr NGSS.
Great for 1st gr NGSS.
November 16, 2016
Summary: Cute book that uses concrete poems to teach about light.
Potential Problems: None
Classroom: This book could be used to teach poetry and science at the same time. Students could create their own concrete poem that includes fact.
Potential Problems: None
Classroom: This book could be used to teach poetry and science at the same time. Students could create their own concrete poem that includes fact.
October 24, 2007
Poems about light, enhanced by beautiful illustrations.
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February 24, 2012
Another great read from the UNO dance lab. The story of light in all it's poetic forms.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews