Friday Poetry; Review of a Poetry Book

African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways, written by Avis Harley with photographs by Deborah Noyes,  Candlewick Press, 2009. (review copy). This stunning volume is a fabulous example of the art of acrostic poetry, which many children learn about and practice in school. Harley has taken the form to a whole new level by crafting double, multiple, and cross acrostic poems which sing the unique atributes of the lovely African animals displayed in Noyes' photographs. Not only do the poems spell out descriptive words and phrases in the first and/or last letters up and down the poem, but each one includes other poetic devices such as assonance, alliteration, enjambment, and internal rhyme. Teachers striving to give students examples of "juicy" vocabulary combined in striking, vivid phrases will do well to feature this book prominently. Two of my favorite poems which clearly illustrate the fine craftsmanship in this collection:

Your Majesty

Lion looks so lazy, watching day-life pass,
Yet searing eyes are stalking shadows in the grass.
Inside a mighty golden throat, he stores his
Nightmare roar that sends his subjects
Galloping across the sunstruck floor.

Untamed

What
Interest have zebras in
Leather tethers or
Dusty saddles?

Since only
The wind
Reins In their
Power, and sun so
Easily
Straddles.

These poems can be drunk in quickly in long droughts of gold and dusk or drawn out lazily to savor the multiple levels. The back of the book includes notes on the African animals, information about the poetic form, and information about the photography done on location in Namibia. I would strongly recommend this book for poets and children of all ages; to absorb, enjoy and learn from in delight and surprise. If you are building your classroom or home library in preparation for a new school year you need this poetry book added to your curriculum!

Other blog reviews: (more poems from the book & photos)

Miss Rumphius (also links to an interview with Alex Harley)
books4yourkids
Kids Lit
Becky's Book Reviews

Today's Friday Poetry roundup is hosted by Heidi Mordhorst's my juicy little universe. Enjoy!