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This book is so much fun for word-lovers! Singer's poetry takes the form of reversos--a poem that reads one way down but takes on a new meaning when read "up" (reversed, with changes in punctuation and capitalization). As Singer notes in her Author's Note, this is especially effective in telling two sides of one story.
Here, the stories presented are fairy tales. I really enjoyed the selection but felt that some of the poems were more successful than others. In a few cases, it just seemed too awk ...more
Here, the stories presented are fairy tales. I really enjoyed the selection but felt that some of the poems were more successful than others. In a few cases, it just seemed too awk ...more
Wow! I love children's poetry, and this book is amazing. Part of the "amazingness" was Sophia sitting on the couch next to me, reading aloud each "reverso" poem, with Aerie peeking over the back so she could read along. For a CHILDREN's poetry book, no less. The cleverness of this new form of poetry is delightful. Each of the poems in the book are about a fairy tale, and each reads the same from top to bottom and bottom to top, but mean different things. (Capitalization and punctuation can chang
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Intriguing. I thought Snow White, Red Riding Hood, and Hansel and Gretel were the strongest, and I loved the illustration style. I wouldn't choose this for either Newbery or Caldecott, though. There's too much inconsistency in quality for the Newbery, and I don't think it's quite boundary-stretching enough for the Caldecott... maybe an honor there.
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How cool is this? The author rewrites fairy tales in verse form, but she uses reversos. A reverso is a poem where if you read it from top to bottom it has one meaning and reading it from bottom to the top gives it another meaning. So each reverso tells a fairy tale from two different points of view. I was in awe. Awe, I say. Ellie was too young to see the literary brilliance, so I think it'll stay in our library for a good many years til she can appreciate it, dangit! I think age 8+ is going to
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A terrific new collection from my friend Marilyn Singer. YOU MUST READ IT! Buy it. Give it to friends and family.
She will be reading aloud from this at the ALSC Poetry BLast at ALA Annual in June 2010.
She will be reading aloud from this at the ALSC Poetry BLast at ALA Annual in June 2010.
Some of these poem/reverso combinations are awesome, but some don't work as well. The illustrations are wonderful. This could certainly inspire and challenge young poets to work on their craft!
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Concept is outstanding, and its a type of poem you don't see very often. Illustrations are wonderful to. Some of the poems don't reflect the changing points of view as good as others.
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I'm not sure how I didn't have this reviewed already. I give mad props to the author for putting together so many rad poems.
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This book amazes me -thinking about writing poetry that can be read forwards and backwards messes with my head.
Very clever poems!
This book is based on nursery rhymes that has 2 different images for each poem, each referring to the poem written one way--and then in reverse. I felt that some of the poems/reverse poems were really forced, which made me not enjoy the book in its entirety as much.
The poetry was cool, but I was really entranced by the mirrored illustrations. This would fit in a unit about folktales, poetry, poetic novels or wordplay. So many uses! My daughter agrees, this one is a keeper.
Brilliant, fun "reverso" poems.
Must I try?
Poetry unit this May.
May this unit,
poetry?
Try I must.
Poems, "reverso"?
Fun, Brilliant!
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Must I try?
Poetry unit this May.
May this unit,
poetry?
Try I must.
Poems, "reverso"?
Fun, Brilliant!
...more
Clever concept. Became too predictable after awhile. Nice pix.
mirror poems...
Jul 08, 2010
alisonwonderland (Alison)
marked it as to-read
Oct 19, 2010
Monica Edinger
added it
Mar 28, 2011
Whitney
marked it as to-read
