A FOOT IN THE MOUTH: POEMS TO SPEAK, SING, AND SHOUT

A FOOT IN THE MOUTH: POEMS TO SPEAK, SING, AND SHOUT

by Paul B. Janeczko

Illustrated by Chris Raschka

Image credit: www.amazon.com

Bibliography

Janeczko, Paul B. 2012. A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout. Ill. by Chris Raschka. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.  ISBN 9780763606633

Critical Review and Analysis

This collection of poetry is the follow up to Paul B. Janeczko and Chris Raschka's two other popular poetry books, A Poke in the I and A Kick in the Head.  Janeczko has selected poems that "speak, sing, and shout" and can be enjoyed as performance poems in a classroom or library.  Poetry is so much fun to read aloud and this collection celebrates the types of poems that are perfect for sharing.  The poems are categorized into ten sections such as, "Tongue Twisters," "List Poems," "Poems for Three Voices," "Limericks," and others. Janeczko's introduction explains why he chose certain poems and states that "to hear the sound of a poem, really hear it, you need to read it out loud. Or have someone read it to you."  Many poetry lovers would agree with Janeczko's thoughts on sharing poetry with others.

Raschka has created a vibrant illustration for each poem using an interesting combination of watercolor, ink, and torn paper.  His unique style incorporates bold, black lines and mostly primary colors to create sometimes abstract and silly images.  A favorite illustration is the fisherman with a very large nose balancing an lantern in "There Was and Old Man in a Barge" by Edward Lear.

The selected poems are written by a variety of poets from Shakespeare and Walt Whitman to J. Patrick Lewis and Janet S. Wong.  Lewis Carroll's famous "Jabberwocky" is featured as a tongue twister and Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing" is featured as a poem to read with a group. There are also three poems included as "Bilingual Poems" in English and French or English and Spanish.  This collection would delight any lover of poetry in its quality selections and excellent presentation.

Spotlight Poem

SQUIRREL AND ACORN
by Beverly McLoughland

Where's that nut
I hid in the fall
Bad news!
Bad news!
Can't recall.
Must think,
Try hard,
Somewhere
In the yard.
Look here,
Look there,
Bad news!
Nowhere!
                                          I'm here
                                          Below,
                                          Just under the
                                          Snow,
                                          Off to his
                                          Right--
                                          Well out of
                                          Sight.
                                          He can't
                                          Recall?
                                          Then I'll
                                          Grow tall.
                                          Could be a
                                          Tree.
                                          Good news!
                                          Good news!
                                          Good news
                                          For me!

I just love this poem written for two voices.  It would be enjoyable to perform in a classroom with one student voicing the squirrel and a second, the acorn.  This poem could be used to kick off a science lesson on seeds or trees.  It could easily be performed in a class with younger students since the text is brief and not too difficult.  Students that are not accustomed to reading poems for two voices could still manage this one as there are two separate sections, instead of a back and forth.