( 4 reviews )
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Posted: May 28 2007
I'm a performance poet and a teacher and this book is a great way to introduce kids to the 'spoken' element of poetry poetry's meant to be enjoyed, celebrated, performed good poetry makes you feel and think and laugh and look at the world a little differently this book does all that and maybe, if you're lucky, it gets kids reading and writing and performing some poetry themselves just because they can
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( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Oct 24 2005
I teach children at the elementary level, and from the first time I opened this book to present it to them, they fell in love with it. I have to disagree with the previous review that slagged on it. My students are being introduced to poetry for the first time, and this book puts it on a level that they relate to. The poems are on topics and themes that they deal with everyday, they are often funny, and the kids love the word play. My students instantly related the idea of a poetry slam to a rap battle without my even stating anything. It may not give a comprehensive introduction to poetry, but it can turn young ones on to it, and I think that is the greater acheivement to be made by a children's book. Once they're hooked, everything else will happen on its own.
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( 6 of 6 found this review helpful ) Posted: Nov 12 2003
I must completely disagree with the other posted review of this book. I first became acquainted with the book when I participated in a workshop performance of the book directed by Ms. Swados and produced at the Scholastic Publishing headquarters. While I can understand the hesitation of giving this book to a child as an introduction to poetry from an intellectual standpoint I cannot express how visceral and excited a reaction children who were not old enough to ask, "what is a poetry slam?" had to these poems. In my opinion, based my own time sharing these poems with New York City kids, this book is incredibly exciting as an introduction to non-traditional rhythms and edgier more modern young children's poetry.I think that the rhythm and style of the poetry coincides with Cepeda's awesome illustrations and makes for a book that just BEGS to be read out loud. My personal opinion...if you're not ready to FULLY participate in the reading of a poetry book this is NOT the book for you. But if you want to have a great time and connect to a kid on a goofy, fun, and more primal level, this is the way to go.My personal favorites are "The Storm" "Names" and "I'm Sorry"...
