Poetry Book Reviews BEAST FEAST by Douglas Florian Florian, Douglas. 1994. BEAST FEAST. New York: Harcourt Brace. ISBN: 0152951784. The book BEAST FEAST is a collection of poems written and illustrated by Douglas Florian. Each poem focuses on a different beast. There are twenty one featured animals ranging from a walrus to a mole.  The poems are witty and fun, perfect for young readers. Besides, the humor employed in each poem there is a lot of factual information included in the writing. ("Although it may seem very strange, the colors on a chameleon change from mousy browns to leafy greens and several colors in between.") This will make for a fun way to introduce children to various beasts. The design of the book will be very appealing to young children. Each poem selection is includes a full page of large print text and also a full page of painted illustration. The paintings are bright and cheery, perfectly depicting each beast. The inclusion of the paintings truly adds to the overall package of this collection of poems. The poems are excellent, but might not be as enjoyable if not paired with the paintings. It's always a good idea to have a strong visual for young children to relate to when introducing them to poems. Douglas Florian created a book of poetry that will be appreciated by young children and adults alike. This book is a must have for teachers and librarians of young children. BEAST FEAST is an example of a book of poetry that educators can use to build appreciation and enjoyment of poetry among young children. WEATHER poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins Hopkins, Lee Bennett, ed. 1994. WEATHER. Ill. by Melanie Hall. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN: 0060214627. The book WEATHER is an anthology of poems for children selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. The collection includes poems by noted poets such as Myra Cohn Livingston. There are several poems about each type of weather included in the book. Children will enjoy reading this witty collection of poems. The language used in the poetry will be easily understood by even the youngest of readers. ("The desert sun of August is shimmering my street and turning houses into dunes that glitter in the heat.") Each poem is accompanied by an illustration related to the poem. The illustrations add to the wordplay used in the poems. The illustrations are bright and vivid causing the reader to think of their own experiences with the different types of weather. This collection of poems would be a perfect teaching aid to use in conjunction with a thematic unit on weather. Currently, I have a copy of this book in my classroom and my students love it. They read it time and time again, long after we have finished our weather unit. Lee Bennett Hopkins did an excellent job of collecting weather poems that are both appealing and informative for young children. IT'S THANKSGIVING by Jack Prelutsky Prelutsky, Jack. 1982. IT'S THANKSGIVING. Ill. by Marylin Hafner. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 0688004423. In the book IT'S THANKSGIVING, author Jack Prelutsky created a collection of poems about the holiday Thanksgiving. The book contains twelve poems all related to the food, family, fun, and activities associated with this special holiday. Readers will reflect on their own treasure memories of Thanksgiving as they turn the pages of this book. Children will enjoy reading these poems because the subject matter is one with which they can easily relate. The topics in the book range from The First Thanksgiving to attending a Thanksgiving Day parade. Prelutsky writes with such wit and enthusiasm that even the grumpiest of readers will have a laugh or two. The rhythmic pattern of many of the poems will encourage children to read along with adults. ("Thanksgiving Day is here today, the great parade is under way, and though it's drizzling quite a bit, I'm sure that I'll see all of it.") The illustrations in the book are priceless. Great attention to detail was made to show expressions on the animals and people drawn in the book. It's almost as if the reader can read the minds of the people illustrated for each poem. Their excitement, enthusiasm, and hunger are easily visible as you turn each page. Jack Prelutsky is an all time favorite with children in my classroom year after year. His understanding of children is evident in the poetry he writes. He has a talent for showcasing all of the special moments that go along with Thanksgiving. This collection of poems is a must have for all classrooms and school libraries. WHAT I DID LAST SUMMER by Jack Prelutsky Prelutsky, Jack. 1984. WHAT I DID LAST SUMMER. Ill. by Yossi Abolafia. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 0688017541. Author Jack Prelutsky shares a collection of poems about summer vacation in the book titled WHAT I DID LAST SUMMER. The poems focus on one young boy and all of the fun and exciting places he goes and things he does during his summer vacation. The poems accurately reflect the many feelings and activities that consume children during the summer. Reading the poems is like taking a walk down memory lane. Adults will enjoy this collection of poems as much as children because it will allow them the opportunity to reminisce about their childhood summers. The book begins with a poem about the last day of school which is one of the most exciting and magical days of the year for children. ("On the last day of school I was tickled to bits, I hopped on my desk and had six sort of fits, I was so glad to see my vacation begin that I practically wriggled right out of my skin.") This is just a small sample of the fun that is about to begin in this witty collection of poems. The illustrations are vivid in detail and give the reader a real insight into the feelings of the young boy as he experiences all of the joys that summer has to offer. The illustrations accompanying the poem THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL are hilarious. As the young boy has his excited fits and flies through the air, the teacher and classmates have an expression of surprise and terror. This is an expression familiar to many educators on the last day of school experienced in the often chaotic atmosphere of the last day of school. The poems follow the summer adventures of the young boy as he travels to the beach, the museum, the country, the fair, a Fourth of July celebration, and endures a visit from his cousin. Each poem is filled with wit and nostalgia, a true joy to read. Each poem is accompanied with illustrations that add to the whimsical quality of the poem. The illustrations truly add to this collection of poems. The poems on their own are wonderful, but with the addition of the illustrations the book becomes a masterpiece for young children. This was the first time I had read this particular collection of poems and I was very impressed. The talent that Jack Prelutsky has for creating poems that will be meaningful to children never ceases to amaze me. This book is a fun pick for summertime reading. Children of all ages will enjoy the humor of the poems. nd her many worries. (School Library Journal) This book is an excellent example of a book that parents and teachers can share with children to help them understand and overcome their fears. It is a must have for all homes, classrooms, and school libraries. Both of these books are excellent resources to have around children. Henkes writes with a humor that will quickly catch the attention of children. The underlying lessons and messages of both of the stories flow within the storyline. Children will easily be able to relate to the characters. Everyone has felt worried or self conscious before and it is important that children realize that it is okay to feel this way, but things will always get better. The illustrations in the stories greatly add warmth and depth to the storylines. The stories would not be quite as meaningful without them. These books will be a hit with children and adults alike. It is doubtful that anyone could resist these two little mice with such human like qualities.