Outside the Box: A Book of Poems

Description

From School Library Journal Gr 1–4—It's a bit of a letdown to see a book of poems with this title and find the usual suspects inside. Wilson does a fine job capturing a child's voice, but there's little that's different or exceptional here. Most of the poems employ a traditional rhythm and cover the same ground as other anthologies for school-age kids. In fact, many of selections sound like they would be right at home in a volume of Jack Prelutsky's early verse. Additionally, the cover type resembles most of Shel Silverstein's books. Of course, those aren't necessarily bad comparisons to make. Scattered throughout the book are a few standouts, like "Man in the Moon" and "The Dream Weaver," which challenge readers to look at familiar things in new ways. Also, several concrete poems are included in the mix. "The Law of Gravity," for instance, is printed upside down and in loose text as if the words might fall apart at any moment. Similarly, "Shower Songsa" features the words coming out of a showerhead. The more than 100 poems cover all aspects of a child's life from school events to animals to families and even holidays. The playfulness of Goode's black-and-white sketches are a perfect match for Wilson's lighthearted verses.—Marie Drucker, Malverne Public Library, NY Read more From Booklist Familiar objects and situations are given a sideways tweak in more than 100 illustrated poems that subvert expectations. A kid rats out a classmate for being a tattletale; the scary alien under the bed turns out to be a moldy sandwich; and in a long poem that recalls the old lady who swallowed the fly, a boy wears his coat upside down, walks on his hands, sits on his head, and eats from his shoe. That kid is way outside the box! Goode’s ink-and-brush illustrations, full of swooping lines and flippy flourishes, are energetic and graceful at the same time. The art picks up the punch line of funny poems, amplifying the humor to laugh-out-loud levels, but for poems about the moon, dreams, or sunrise, the illustrations are ornate and lovely. Wilson dedicates the book to Shel Silverstein, and indeed the black-and-white illustrations and mixture of wry observation and kooky supposition recall Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974) and Falling Up (1996). Grades 3-6. --Paula Willey Read more Review * "A charming, gorgeously illustrated children’s collection of light verse." Source: Kirkus, starred review"Goode's ink-and-brush illustrations...are energetic and graceful at the same time. The art picks up the punch line of funny poems, amplifying the humor to laugh-out-loud levels.... Wilson dedicates the book to Shel Silverstein, and indeed the black-and-white illustrations and mixture of wry observation and kooky supposition recall Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974) and Falling Up (1996)." Source: Booklist Read more About the Author Karma Wilson is the bestselling author of several picture books, including the Bear Books series, Where Is Home, Little Pip?, and A Dog Named Doug. Karma lives in Montana.Diane Goode is the illustrator of dozens of beloved and critically acclaimed picture books, including several written by Cynthia Rylant: Alligator Boy; When I Was Young in the Mountains, a Caldecott Honor Book; and most recently, Baby Face: A Book of Love for Baby. She is also the illustrator of President Pennybaker and My Mom is Trying to Ruin My Life, both by Kate Feiffer. She lives and works in Watchung, New Jersey, with her husband, David, and their two dogs, Jack and Daisy.  Read more