1. BIBLIOGRAPHYGrimes, Nikki. 2000. SHOE MAGIC. Ill. by Terry Widener. New York, NY: Orchard Books. ISBN 0531302865
2. PLOT SUMMARY
A collection of poems all describing different shoes children wear and the dreams that go with them.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
A collection of poems all describing different shoes children wear and the dreams that go with them.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Grimes’ collection of poetry is ambitious but she succeeds in making the reader feel personally connected to an inanimate object, shoes. She is challenging to readers to be inspired by their choices. “…what you do, where you go, who you grow up to be, depends on the steps you take.” The distinctive message can be discussed in a poetry sharetime to include a conversation about making choices.
Distinctive language is also used in “When Devin and Dina Go Hiking.” “Before it’s dark, we’ll scale the peak, Ring God’s doorbell, and stay a week.” Quite a majestic way to describe a hike. Rhyme is also used effectively. “But wait till we are on our own. We’ll climb a mountain. We’ll go alone.”
Grimes’ verses also challenges gender stereotyping nicely. The football cleat poem has a female heroine and the nurse is a male. Students will hopefully appreciate these differences.
Widener’s illustrations use exaggerated shoes to keep the theme alive. The bright acrylic paintings of multicultural characters capture the action and emotion of the scene. The children depicted seem happy and confident.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Grimes’ collection of poetry is ambitious but she succeeds in making the reader feel personally connected to an inanimate object, shoes. She is challenging to readers to be inspired by their choices. “…what you do, where you go, who you grow up to be, depends on the steps you take.” The distinctive message can be discussed in a poetry sharetime to include a conversation about making choices.
Distinctive language is also used in “When Devin and Dina Go Hiking.” “Before it’s dark, we’ll scale the peak, Ring God’s doorbell, and stay a week.” Quite a majestic way to describe a hike. Rhyme is also used effectively. “But wait till we are on our own. We’ll climb a mountain. We’ll go alone.”
Grimes’ verses also challenges gender stereotyping nicely. The football cleat poem has a female heroine and the nurse is a male. Students will hopefully appreciate these differences.
Widener’s illustrations use exaggerated shoes to keep the theme alive. The bright acrylic paintings of multicultural characters capture the action and emotion of the scene. The children depicted seem happy and confident.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST: "The poetry is uneven, mixing tightly rhymed couplets and loosened rhythm and rhyme with occasionally forced results; many poems work better out loud. But the voices convey a joyful purpose as they describe the hard work of the present and dreams about the future.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Using their footwear as points of departure, Grimes presents a cycle of poems about kids' everyday lives and dreams for the future.”
5. CONNECTIONS
* Put out a variety of shoes and have students share their wishes and dreams.
* Kids can write their own poem using their shoes for inspiration.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Using their footwear as points of departure, Grimes presents a cycle of poems about kids' everyday lives and dreams for the future.”
5. CONNECTIONS
* Put out a variety of shoes and have students share their wishes and dreams.
* Kids can write their own poem using their shoes for inspiration.
No comments:
Post a Comment