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A Pocketful of Poems: A Lyrical Picture Book of Paired Haiku and Free Verse for Children
Tiana has a pocketful of green words like spring, night words like moon, and words with wings, like angel. Each word is the inspiration for a pair of poems—one, lyrical free verse and the other, haiku. The paired poems reflect Tiana’s lively spirit and urban outlook and are showcased in Javaka Steptoe’s inventive collages, which include a wide range of materials, from faucet handles to pumpkin seeds to a hand-sculpted, gilded alphabet. A fusion of two remarkable creative talents, A Pocketful of Poems is an engaging portrait of a down-to-earth girl who has a way with words, as well as a tantalizing introduction to poetry. Author’s note on haiku.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 22, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 21, 2011
Grimes creates a narrator, Tiana, for this collection of poems. Tiana speaks directly to the audience through the poems, which seem overly simplistic, as if Grimes truly was trying for the writing of a young girl. Topics of the poem cover the span of an entire year’s seasons and holidays, both patriotic and Christian. At first reading, the poems seemed to be split across two pages with a large gap which interrupted the flow of the poem. The second half of the poem did not seem to fit with the first part and the ‘flow’ of the poem was severely disrupted. It was not until reading the author’s note at the end of the book that this split resolved into two separate poems, one free-verse and one haiku. At second reading, the haikus were wonderfully contemporary, urban and considerably less esoteric than traditional Japanese haikus which are usually used to illustrate the form to students. Although Grimes provides a good explanation of the haiku form and its versatility while comparing it to American jazz, on the opposing page, she has a poem entitled “Haiku” which is not in haiku form by any stretch of the imagination. This could be quite misleading and confusing. While Grimes does use some good, teachable literary techniques and imagery and writes in a manner which would probably appeal to children, the poems seem overpowered by Steptoe’s illustrations. The paper and mixed media collages seem cluttered and verge on childish and Grimes’ words often get lost in the images. While Steptoe’s use of mixed media could be considered creative, some of her choices, such as the use of pocket lint for clouds, were simply off-putting and unappealing. The narrator herself, Tiana, is presented in way which could be interpreted as stereotypical with large lips covering the whole lover half of her face and a perpetual grin contributing to a lack of expression and emotion throughout the illustrations.
December 10, 2009
A Pocketful of Poems: by Nikki Grimes Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
This is a book that is centered around poems called haiku, in addition it is also a great picture book. The poem I chose to read for this review is called, “Pumpkin”. I chose this poem because o
Sound: The sound of pumpkin is very warm. It gives the reader a sense of anticipating eating the pumpkin pie, but the narrator has to wait to eat it until all of her guests arrive for Thanksgiving.
Sense: When I read “Pumpkin” I really got the sense that the narrator could hardly wait for her guests to arrive. The sense is one of togetherness and the anticipation of seeing everyone who she is close to.
Meaning: The meaning of this poem is reinforce the importance of togetherness, friends and family during Thanksgiving,
I would recommend “Pocketful of Poems”, to children grades 1-3. All of the poems in this book are easy to read and it introduces students to the haiku style of poetry. It also has great illustrations that really brings the poems to life and adds feeling to what the author has written. I really enjoyed these poems. I would use this book to introduce a Language Arts lessons on the different styles of poetry, this one being haiku. I ranked this book a 4 out of 5.
This is a book that is centered around poems called haiku, in addition it is also a great picture book. The poem I chose to read for this review is called, “Pumpkin”. I chose this poem because o
Sound: The sound of pumpkin is very warm. It gives the reader a sense of anticipating eating the pumpkin pie, but the narrator has to wait to eat it until all of her guests arrive for Thanksgiving.
Sense: When I read “Pumpkin” I really got the sense that the narrator could hardly wait for her guests to arrive. The sense is one of togetherness and the anticipation of seeing everyone who she is close to.
Meaning: The meaning of this poem is reinforce the importance of togetherness, friends and family during Thanksgiving,
I would recommend “Pocketful of Poems”, to children grades 1-3. All of the poems in this book are easy to read and it introduces students to the haiku style of poetry. It also has great illustrations that really brings the poems to life and adds feeling to what the author has written. I really enjoyed these poems. I would use this book to introduce a Language Arts lessons on the different styles of poetry, this one being haiku. I ranked this book a 4 out of 5.
April 6, 2013
A Pocketful of Poems by Nikki Grimes illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
ISBN 0-395-93868-6
A Pocket of Poems is a book of poetry written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. Nikki Grimes is the 2006 National Council of Teachers of English award for excellence in poetry for children winner. This book has been written for children of P-Primary I-Intermediate ages 6-10. The author uses poems and haiku through her character Tiana to express her pocket full of words in how she experiences life in the city of Harlem, the seasons of the year and holidays she enjoys. The illustrator uses of cut paper and collage making of pictures. This was unique but distracting to the poetry and haiku. This was not my favorite book to read. I chose to read this book because the author was the only award winning author available at the public library. I look forward to reading some of her other books of poetry in the future. While working with children about poetry, this might be a good example of haikua form of Japanese poetry.
ISBN 0-395-93868-6
A Pocket of Poems is a book of poetry written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. Nikki Grimes is the 2006 National Council of Teachers of English award for excellence in poetry for children winner. This book has been written for children of P-Primary I-Intermediate ages 6-10. The author uses poems and haiku through her character Tiana to express her pocket full of words in how she experiences life in the city of Harlem, the seasons of the year and holidays she enjoys. The illustrator uses of cut paper and collage making of pictures. This was unique but distracting to the poetry and haiku. This was not my favorite book to read. I chose to read this book because the author was the only award winning author available at the public library. I look forward to reading some of her other books of poetry in the future. While working with children about poetry, this might be a good example of haikua form of Japanese poetry.
March 20, 2010
This book would be grreat for an early childhood classroom. The poems are fun and children can relate to the words Tiana has pulled out of her pocket. The book is about Tiana, a young girl who has pulled many words out of pocket. With these words she creates these haikus she chooses to share. This book could be great for a lesson on poetry and creating hiakus. Haikus can be a fun yet difficult to write. It has a strict format to follow and children may need several examples to follow. After listening to or reading the poems in this book, the activity can be better.
Teachers can add this book to a poetry unit or have the book as a part of their library. It s a good read-aloud, too.
Teachers can add this book to a poetry unit or have the book as a part of their library. It s a good read-aloud, too.
September 18, 2011
I recommend this book for intermediate to advanced children. this book seems to be about a little girl who is telling a story about words that she has learned. If your looking for a poetry book, this is not it! I really expected rhyming verses and things of that nature. The way poems in a childrens book are. But It was nothing of the sort. The best thing about the book to me was the pictures. They are very creative. The pictures in the book are made out of differnt objects like aluminum pans, straws, paper, feathers, etc. and it's very colorful. Very fun illustrations.
Read
November 27, 2012Genre: poetry
Summary: this is a collection of poems and haikus that tell the story of everyday life in the city in which they live
1)accuracy- language
2) in many of the haikus listed in this book collection, all the senses of the reader are stimulated in order to best understand each of the poems.
3) specifically, in the poem "pumpkin" the reader can get a feel and taste for it, with the word choice.
Cc) this is a wonderful example of haikus and how to write them. This could be used when dealing with haikus and other forms of poetry in the classroom.
Summary: this is a collection of poems and haikus that tell the story of everyday life in the city in which they live
1)accuracy- language
2) in many of the haikus listed in this book collection, all the senses of the reader are stimulated in order to best understand each of the poems.
3) specifically, in the poem "pumpkin" the reader can get a feel and taste for it, with the word choice.
Cc) this is a wonderful example of haikus and how to write them. This could be used when dealing with haikus and other forms of poetry in the classroom.
Read
February 24, 2013I am truly a poetry fan and this book shows the beauty and creativity of it through its artistic pictures and descriptions. The book focuses on a certain type of poem which is called haiku. It goes through a young girls day and she describes it through haiku. I thought this was so neat and the illustrations are very different from other books. I could allow my students to write their own haiku poems about their days for them to share with the classroom. I could also use it for a lesson plan on metaphors and similes.
Read
November 23, 2016awards: none
Grade: 1st-7th
Summary: Contains poems in haiku and also free verse poems. The main character Tiana is the narrator of the many poems that reflects her culture and life. The poems also uses a word as the inspiration for that particular poem.
Review: Great introduction to poetry. I like many other books by the author, Nikki Grimes. Poems are short and simple enough to entice novice readers to continue reading.
Possible uses: 1. understanding the structure of the poems. 2 lesson on metaphors
Grade: 1st-7th
Summary: Contains poems in haiku and also free verse poems. The main character Tiana is the narrator of the many poems that reflects her culture and life. The poems also uses a word as the inspiration for that particular poem.
Review: Great introduction to poetry. I like many other books by the author, Nikki Grimes. Poems are short and simple enough to entice novice readers to continue reading.
Possible uses: 1. understanding the structure of the poems. 2 lesson on metaphors
October 19, 2008
Nikki Grimes uses free verse and haiku poems to show the life of a young girl in the city. The poems reflect different seasons, animals, baseball, food, and life in Harlem. Her poems are lively and descriptive. What catches your attention is the illustrations! They are very unique collage illustrations by Javaka Steptoes made from a wide range of materials, including a hand-sculpted, gilded alaphet. The illustrations are almost 3-D and jump out on the page. Very cool!
January 31, 2009
I think this is a great poetry book to read with kids. It's colorful and the multi-media illustrations could inspire follow-up arts and crafts. Children could also take turns choosing their own words and writing poems about them. I think the poet does a nice job capturing the essence of a word - "spring" is planted, "hot" is thirsty, etc. These poems are linked together to tell Tiana's story, as the seasons change.
July 25, 2011
This book combines a year's worth of free verse and haiku poems from Nikki Grimes with colorful collage art from Javaka Steptoe. The poems, featuring an African-American girl named Tiana, are playful, as are the illustrations. My favorite poem: "Pigeons masquerade as wildlife. They can't fool me. We're all city folk."
January 26, 2016
This is a book that is centered around poems called haiku, in addition it is also a great picture book. I like this book because the words make it seem like you can see it. I think it is cool how it does that. You can see the colors the details in your head while you are reading this book.
January 22, 2008
I just love the illustrations in this book. They look like they're made out of some kind of clay or dough-- almost as though you could eat them!
October 31, 2011
This book is about a young girl who claims to have a pocket full of words and letters. She uses them to make haiku poems. This book could be used to introduce poetry and haiku poems.
July 11, 2012
Poems ok, didn't like illustrations.
April 5, 2015
Tiana has words that she uses to make poetry. The poetry is interesting, but better yet is the art that goes with the poetry. The art work is inspired. Cutouts and layered art are wonderful.
July 9, 2015
BEAUTIFUL, SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL POEMS AND EXQUISITE ILLUSTRATIONS.
September 15, 2018
This book is almost sixteen years old and I don't want you to miss it.
There must have been some kind of giveaway of late because I keep seeing A Pocketful of Poems popping up everywhere in my social media feed with teacher friends holding up their copy for display. And isn't this how haiku generally arrives to us anyway whether in a book form or in our just being here and what are being is for: pockets full of poems.
A delight of both verse and vision, the juxtaposition of Nikki's haiku and Javaka's artwork come deliciously-close to giving the natural form of haiku the steel framework for a concrete feeling. Nikki's seventeen syllables appear as though a master painter is showing us how to render the landscape of the city on a match head with a toothpick.
In A Pocketful of Poems, city maps become buildings and fireworks become pinwheels in a patriotic heaven. Letters pop up off of the page and become possibilities. And here, in a pocketful of poems, pigeons become city folk and pumpkins take the bus to arrive in time for Thanksgiving.
This collection is an imaginative treasure and could be overlooked for new titles. "Ladder" (Teri Lesesne) with new titles like H IS FOR HAIKU to see more examples of how this deceptively-simply form can be rendered for new verse and vision.
I went out to order a used copy of the book. Mine arrived in pristine condition and was signed--by Nikki--to someone named "Sarah." I'll just gently line through Sarah's name and add my own. It feels right. Old lines and new lines intersect between the covers of a book.
There must have been some kind of giveaway of late because I keep seeing A Pocketful of Poems popping up everywhere in my social media feed with teacher friends holding up their copy for display. And isn't this how haiku generally arrives to us anyway whether in a book form or in our just being here and what are being is for: pockets full of poems.
A delight of both verse and vision, the juxtaposition of Nikki's haiku and Javaka's artwork come deliciously-close to giving the natural form of haiku the steel framework for a concrete feeling. Nikki's seventeen syllables appear as though a master painter is showing us how to render the landscape of the city on a match head with a toothpick.
In A Pocketful of Poems, city maps become buildings and fireworks become pinwheels in a patriotic heaven. Letters pop up off of the page and become possibilities. And here, in a pocketful of poems, pigeons become city folk and pumpkins take the bus to arrive in time for Thanksgiving.
This collection is an imaginative treasure and could be overlooked for new titles. "Ladder" (Teri Lesesne) with new titles like H IS FOR HAIKU to see more examples of how this deceptively-simply form can be rendered for new verse and vision.
I went out to order a used copy of the book. Mine arrived in pristine condition and was signed--by Nikki--to someone named "Sarah." I'll just gently line through Sarah's name and add my own. It feels right. Old lines and new lines intersect between the covers of a book.
May 8, 2022
A Pocketful of Poems written by Nikki Grimes is in the genre of poetry. This book has won no awards. The age range that this book is intended for is 4-7 years old. This book of Haiku poems is about a girl who is very down to earth and has a way with words. My favorite Haiku poem from this book is about angels on pages 26 and 27. This Haiku poem says "Daddy says words have wings like ANGELS - especially the good ones. In late December, two leap from the corner of my pocket and fly. Christmas - one angel atop the tree, one waiting below to catch me". I rate this book 5 stars. The Haiku poems in this book are great and each poem has a picture collaged together that corresponds to what the poem is about which is really cool. And for a person that doesn't like poems as much I really liked these. When working with children I may teach the children about the Haiku poem.
June 13, 2017
1. The book "A Pocketful of Poems" by Nikki Grimes has many poems and haiku's. The author uses the character of Tiana, a young girl, to tell about her experiences. She writes about her experiences in Harlem and about her interests and favorite holidays.
2. I like this book as part of the poetry unit. It shows a different style and type of poem rather than only humerus. The children may be able to connect with the main character and her experiences in Harlem. After reading this story we can try to write a haiku as a class.
3. I would pair this book with "Guyku" by Bob Raczka.m
4. “April showers scrub the air. No wonder I can run now. I can breathe!”
2. I like this book as part of the poetry unit. It shows a different style and type of poem rather than only humerus. The children may be able to connect with the main character and her experiences in Harlem. After reading this story we can try to write a haiku as a class.
3. I would pair this book with "Guyku" by Bob Raczka.m
4. “April showers scrub the air. No wonder I can run now. I can breathe!”
June 23, 2019
Coretta Scott King Award-Winning author, Nikki Grimes, compiles an assortment of child-friendly poems in her collection entitled, A Pocketful of Poems. Narrated by a young girl named Tiana, Tiana shares poems describing simple words and places from her culture including Harlem, Christmas, Spring, Caterpillar among many others. Inspired by Tiana’s lively culture, spirit and urban atmosphere, Grimes shares these poems through a mix of free verse and haiku. The story is illustrated by Javaka Steptoe and combines collage and paper folding elements. The illustrations celebrate the vibrant culture and lively poems. Recommended for early elementary aged children.
November 29, 2017
I guess I'm not artistic enough, or maybe urban enough. The idea of embedding haikus in the narrative as Tiana shares her output with us is wonderful. And the art is fantastic in the literal sense. But it just doesn't work for me.
"April showers scrub
the air. No wonder I can
run now. I can breathe!"
Brief author's note defines haikus and suggests that the book be used as a mentor text.
"April showers scrub
the air. No wonder I can
run now. I can breathe!"
Brief author's note defines haikus and suggests that the book be used as a mentor text.
February 12, 2022
It took me a while - half the book - to warm up to it; but by the end, I was in love with it. The illustrations are a delightful bonus of cut paper and found object collages. I will be looking for more books by the artist.
October 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this! The poems are short, but all tie together. There is a main character that ties all of the poems together. It’s like we are in this little girl’s head exploring her world. The artwork in the illustrations is also super unique, engaging and fun to look at.
November 26, 2019
This is a collection of simple poems for students to enjoy. Many of them are from the point of view of children and are an excellent way for children to see themselves represented in literature.
October 6, 2014
Poems and haiku verses provides glimpses of life in the city. The poems seem too simple for the age group chosen for this book, however, the illustrations pop from the page because of the collage of materials the illustrator chose to use. The author’s cultural and personal point of view shows through the style of writing, the setting of the poems in the city, and the identifiable characters children will recognize.
May 2, 2017
The poems and concept are good, but I found the artwork distracting.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews