A
Kick in the Head
An
Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms
By
Paul B. Janeczko
Illustrated
by Chris Raschka
Cover
image retrieved 4/21/13 from
Bibliography
Janeczko, Paul B. A Kick in the Head An Everyday Guide to Poetic
Forms. Sommerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2005. ISBN 9780329702670
Critical Analysis
Oh me, oh my! Twenty-nine forms of poetry in one fresh, fun book.
Paul Janeczko examines common and not so common formats, with definitions of the
forms, an example poem for each, and imaginative illustrations by Chris Raschko
that help the reader remember the special qualities of a poetic form. Why do
poems have format rules to follow? In the introduction Janeczko addresses that
query by stating that poems have rules, because that makes writing them more
challenging and fun. He admits that not all poems follow the rules, which is
perfectly acceptable. Poetry is, after all, a free expression of thoughts and
ideas.
The collection assembled here is a fine assortment from noted poets,
as well as a few lesser-known authors. They blend together in an anthology that
is informative, as well as fun. Janeczko challenges the reader to discover new
forms and enjoy old favorites. Each form has the featured poem prominently
displayed on one or both pages of a two-page spread, with colorful
illustrations adding to the sensory delight. An explanation of the poetic
format is included in fine print on the page, to be read after the initial
reading of the poem. This allows the reader to savor the words and arrangement
of the poem, then to discover the reasoning and plan of the format. Formats are
listed in the table of contents at the front of the book, and Notes on the
Forms appear at the back for further explanation.
This anthology has such a varied collection, there is sure to be
something for everyone. Fun, serious, rhyming, free scheme. Rich language and
descriptive phrases entice the reader. Delivery
changes from one form to the next, which keeps the text lively and interesting.
Even poem styles that a reader might not enjoy are easy to read when there is
only one page of that format. Janeczko inspires the reader to try out at least
one of the forms. With so many to choose from, even the reluctant reader or writer
can find a form that is appealing. The airy spaces between the words and images
will invite readers to find their own responses to the poems and encourage
their interest in the underlying rules, which, Janeczko says, "make
poetry--like sports--more fun."
Book Reviews
Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Mar. 15, 2005 (Vol. 101, No. 14))
The creators of A Poke in the I (2001) offer another winning,
picture-book poetry collaboration. Here, each poem represents a different
poetic form, from the familiar to the more obscure. The excellent selection
easily mixes works by Shakespeare and William Blake with entries from
contemporary poets for youth, including Janeczko. Once again, Raschka's
high-spirited, spare torn-paper-and-paint collages ingeniously broaden the poems'
wide-ranging emotional tones.
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2005 (Vol. 73, No. 5))
Why, you may ask, does a poem have rules?" asks Janeczko in his
introduction; "The answer is: rules make the writing of a poem more
challenging, more exciting." He proceeds to present 29 different poetic
types, from the mundane couplet and the deceptively easy haiku to the
villanelle, epitaph and pantoum. A beautiful, beautifully clear celebration of
the discipline of poetry-and the possibilities offered by that discipline-this
offering will find use both in the hands of eager poets and on the reference
shelf.
Best Book Lists
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2005 ; Bank Street College of
Education; United States
Book Sense Children's Picks, Summer 2005 ; American Booksellers
Association; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars , Mar. 15, 2005 ; American Library
Association; United States
Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2005 ; American Library
Association; United States
Capitol Choices, 2006 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Books 2005: One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing,
2005 ; New York Public Library; United States
Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson; United
States
Children's Editor's Choice, 2005 ; Kirkus Reviews; United States
Choices, 2006 ; Cooperative Children’s Book Center; United States
Horn Book Fanfare, 2005 ; Horn Book; United States
Kirkus Best Children's Books , 2005 ; Kirkus Reviews; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, March 1, 2005 ; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005 ;
H.W. Wilson; United States
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 2006 ; NCTE
Children's Literature Assembly; United States
Notable Children's Books, 2006 ; ALSC American Library Association;
United States
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books, 2005 ; Publishers Weekly;
United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, March 14, 2005 ; Cahners;
United States
School Library Journal Best Books, 2005 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, March 2005 ; Cahners;
United States
Book Awards
Claudia Lewis Award, 2006 Winner United States
Lupine Award, 2005 Winner Picture Book Maine
Parents' Choice Award, 2005 Gold Picture Books United States
Poetry Break!
Spotlight Poem
Slug File
By Avis Harley
Home
Address:
“Shady
Lawn”
Working Hours:
dusk ‘til dawn
Hobbies/Sports:
likes to climb
Special Skills:
making slime
Occupation:
midnight thief
Favorite Food:
salad leaf
Color Choice:
veggie green
Height and
Weight:
long and lean
Next of kin:
Mollusc clan
Appetite:
gargantuan
Learning Extensions
Introduction:
·
Invite students to listen to the poem, trying to guess who might
have made this list.
·
Share the poem orally, while students listen for verbal clues to
help them identify the “author” of this poem.
Extensions:
·
Invite student discussion of who might have made this list. If
students do not come up with the correct “author,” give a multiple choice list
of possibilities: a) goat b) slug c) dog
d) snake
·
Ask students to share the words or phrases that helped them figure
out who the ‘author” is.
·
Display the poem via document camera, or distribute a copy to each
student. Read the poem chorally as a group, with the boys reading the first
line of each stanza and the girls reading the second line. re-read the poem
chorally, alternating reader groups.
·
Allow students to try their hand at a poem list, first creating a
list of characteristics of a person, place, thing, or idea. Then students will
group the characteristics into similar categories and formulating a heading for
it. Encourage students to arrange their poem into stanzas that could rhyme, if
they desire.
Other Books by Paul B. Janeczko:
A Kick in the Head
An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms
A Poke in the I (2001)
A Collection of Concrete Poems
Birds on a Wire
Blushing: Expressions Of Love In Poems And Letters (Blushing) (2004)
Brickyard Summer (1989)
Bridges to Cross, a novel (1986)
Dirty Laundry Pile
Poems in Different Voices
Going Over to Your Place
Good for a Laugh: A Guide to Writing Amusing, Clever, and Downright
Funny Poems
Hey, You!: Poems to Skyscrapers, Mosquitoes, and Other Fun Things
Home on the Range: Cowboy Poetry (1997)
How To Write Almost Anything (Scholastic Guides)
How to Write Haiku and Other Short Poems
How To Write Poetry Scholastic Guides (1999)
Loads of Codes and Secret Ciphers (1984)
Looking for Your Name: A Collection of Contemporary Poems
Opening a Door: Reading Poetry in the Middle School Classroom
Pocket Poems
Poetry From A to Z : A Guide for Young Writers
Poetspeak
Postcard poems: A collection of poetry for sharing
Preposterous: Poems of Youth
Reading Poetry in the Middle Grades: 20 Poems and Activities That
Meet the Common Core Standards and Cultivate a Passion for Poetry
Seeing the Blue Between (2002)
Advice and Inspiration for Young Poets
Stardust Hotel
Stone Bench in an Empty Park
Strings : a gathering of family poems
That Sweet Diamond Baseball Poems (1998)
The Music of What Happens: Poems That Tell Stories
The Place My Words Are Looking For
This Delicious Day
Top Secret (2004)
A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers, and Secret Writing
Very Best (almost) Friends (1999)
Wherever Home Begins: 100 Contemporary Poems (1995)
Wing Nuts: Screwy Haiku
Worlds Afire (2004)
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