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October 27, 2006
Random House Book of Poetry: Poetry Friday
Praying Mantis
That praying mantis over there
Is really not engaged in prayer.
That praying mantis that you see
Is really preying (with an “e”).
It preys upon the garter snake.
It preys upon the bumblebee.
It preys upon the cabbage worm,
The wasp, the fly, the moth, the flea.
(And sometimes, if its need is great,
It even preys upon its mate.)
With prey and preying both so endless,
It tends to end up rather friendless
And seldom is commended much
Except by gardeners and such.
-by Mary Ann Hoberman in The Random House Book of Poetry for Children, ed. by Jack Prelutsky, illus. by Arnold Lobel
Here is the rarest of beasts: a gift book that someone who knows about books might actually want to give to someone he or she likes. We like this collection so much at WPL that we have a copy on our story shelf and peruse it when we’re looking for new poems and rhymes to use in storytime. The collection contains a nice range: famous staples like Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein, lesser known poets like Karla Kuskin and John Ciardi, and even adult poets like Robert Frost. The poems are arranged by loose themes (seasons, holidays, animals, etc…) and vary all over the place in tone and mood. There’s enough playfulness and seriousness to suit the taste of almost any reader. Needless to say, Lobel’s illustrations are, as ever, welcome and delightful. Overall, a lovely package that might just be my favorite poetry collection for kids.
Posted by adrienne at October 27, 2006 08:15 AM
Comments
The kids had to write a poem for school...the title for all was "I AM" they could do what ever they wanted. Zackary came up with this. I told him Adrienne definitly would appreciate this and so he asked me to send it to you. Needless to say he made mommy cry..Hope you enjoy it!! I waited for poetry Friday too ;)
I AM
I am a corvette racing on a track.
I am a tree being climbed.
I am a dog causing mischief.
I am a drum being played.
I am an ocean, see my waves.
I am a sun on a summer day.
I am a school full of learning.
I am a hoper and a dreamer.
I am a ruby shining brightly.
I am a star up high in the night sky.
I am simply me.
Posted by: Kristen at October 27, 2006 08:50 PM
*That* is awesome! :)
Posted by: adrienne at October 28, 2006 10:51 AM
Kids are great, poison jelly beans and all.
Posted by: tonderdo at October 31, 2006 03:56 AM