What Rhymes With Math?

In a world in which visual stimulation predominates, poetry gives children a chance to listen and imagine. The oral traditions that began around a communal fire are reborn when the rhythms of language take center stage. Most exciting of all, poets have never restricted their musing, so every subject under the sun, and beyond, can be enhanced by a poem.

Unlimited in scope, the realm of verse is also not divided between adults and children. Emily Dickinson and Carl Sandburg are as delightful to youngsters as Shel Silverstein is meaningful to those over 21. It is precisely this universality that makes poetry a force powerful enough to bridge diverse experiences as it capture hearts and minds.

The naming of Jack Prelutsky as America’s first Children’s Poet Laureate brings new emphasis to the shelves once sparsely populated by Robert Louis Stevenson and Christina Rossetti. Now those stalwarts are keeping company with contemporary writers such as Nikki Giovanni, Karla Kuskin, and Eve Merriam. Together they create a world of animated verbal pictures and profound emotional landscapes that speak to children of all ages. This list includes poems for elementary school students that will add to math class, explode in science, explore new horizons in social studies, and enrich language arts. As author Caroline Feller Bauer reminds us in The Poetry Break: An Annotated Anthology With Ideas for Introducing Children to Poetry (H.W. Wilson, 1994), there’s always space in a lesson for poetry, so check out the choices for art, music, and gym class as well. Those few minutes can re-engage young learners andenable them to see the interconnections that are the goals of a well-rounded education. Here is the tip of a poetry iceberg. Jump right in; there are wonders beneath the surface.

HOPKINS, Lee Bennett, ed. Oh, No! Where Are My Pants? and Other Disasters: Poems. illus. by Wolf Erlbruch. HarperCollins. 2005. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-688-17860-4; PLB $16.89. ISBN 978-0-688-17861-1.

Gr 2-5–With a giggle or a sigh, children will recognize the childhood concerns evoked by these 14 poems. Whether it’s missing a fly ball, a friend’s moving away, or the death of a pet, these selections open doors so that kids can acknowledge their feelings as real and important. Simple but expressive, the subtly toned illustrations capture the mix of impish and tender emotions.

HOPKINS, Lee Bennett, sel. Days to Celebrate: A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More. illus. by Stephen Alcorn. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2005. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-06-000765-2; PLB $18.89. ISBN 978-0-06-000766-9

Gr 1-5-Each month has a selection of four to seven poems, written by a wide range of poets, to mark noteworthy events, such as the first day of spring, the birthday of Walt Whitman, or the invention of the windshield wiper. Generously illustrated with imaginative color drawings, these entries are a great way to open class in the morning.

JANECZKO, Paul B., sel. A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms.illus. by Chris Raschka.Candlewick. 2005. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-0662-6.

Gr 3-8-Brief explanations of 29 poetic forms, from haiku and limerick to villanelle and double dactyl, are provided below matching verse with more detailed descriptions at the end. Luminaries such as Lear, Nash, and Shakespeare are joined by contemporary practitioners Gary Soto, Richard Wilbur, and X. J. Kennedy. Playful illustrations in watercolor, ink, and torn paper add bounce to this ready-to-teach book.

PASCHEN, Elise, ed. Poetry Speaks to Children. illus. by Judy Love, Wendy Rasmussen, & Paula Zinngrabe Wendland. Sourcebooks. 2005. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-4022-0329-9.

Gr 2-8-An intriguing mix of new and time-tested selections gains immediacy when the accompanying CD introduces the voices of Langston Hughes, Naomi Shihab Nye, Robert Frost, and others. Poetry is meant to be heard, and classics such as “Jabberwocky” and “The Raven” are invigorated when read by skilled narrators. Three illustrators provide a variety of visual styles to match each poem’s mood.

PRELUTSKY, Jack, comp. Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme. illus. by Meilo So. Knopf. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-375-82286-5; PLB $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-92286-2.

Gr 2-5-Each spread begins with three related poems and a “Poemstart,” or mini poetry lesson, to help launch young writers. With hints and sample verses on different styles, classes might use the 10 kid-perfect topics, including friends, snow, and birthdays, to produce their own anthologies. Bright, lighthearted watercolor illustrations employ a variety of perspectives, with even the endpapers offering inspiration.

ADLER, David A. You Can, Toucan, Math: Word Problem-Solving Fun. illus. by Edward Miller. Holiday House. 2006. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-1919-7.

Gr 2-4-Birds of many feathers flock together to illustrate addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems. Simple poems, bright computer-generated artwork, and straightforward solutions make this a super lesson starter. It’s easy to catch on when multiplying flycatchers and dividing flamingos are right on the page. Endpapers include attractive tables for each of these basic concepts.

HOLUB, Joan. Riddle-iculous Math. illus. by Regan Dunnick. Albert Whitman. 2003. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8075-4996-4.

Gr 2-5-Put a laugh in math class with these silly rhymes that often require multiple steps to find answers. Zany cartoon illustrations increase the numerical merriment. Concepts such as time, money, and fractions get a fresh twist, and oh-so-corny jokes will help kids learn wordplay. “What did Hercules study in school? Mythematics!”

LEWIS, J. Patrick.Arithme-Tickle: An Even Number of Odd Riddle-Rhymes. illus. by Frank Remkiewicz. Harcourt/Silver Whistle. 2002. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-15-216418-8; pap. $6. ISBN 978-0-15-205848-7.

Gr 3-5-Word problems are much more appealing when they rhyme. Challenge the kids who finish first with brain teasers, rebuses, and fun facts blended with basic mathematical concepts and presented by an entertaining cast of characters. Humorous illustrations often provide visual hints, but to add to the fun, answers on each page require a mirror to read them.

YOLEN, Jane. Count Me a Rhyme: Animal Poems by the Numbers. photos. by Jason Stemple. Boyds Mills/Wordsong. 2006. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-345-0.

Gr 1-5-From one to 10, Yolen uses her son’s carefully captured animal photographs as the inspiration for her rhythmic poems. All but the swallows’ haiku employ a mix of bouncy rhyme schemes. Each spread is enhanced with words related to the featured number and the matching Roman numeral. Perfect for lessons across the curriculum.

FLORIAN, Douglas. Zoo’s Who: Poems and Paintings. illus. by author. Harcourt. 2005. ISBN 978-0-15-204639-2.

Gr 2-5–Softly toned, multimedia illustrations by this prolific poet-artist add to his brief, inventive rhymes featuring an imaginative assembly of animals. Old favorites, such as the pig, shark, and bat, are joined by the more unusual shrew, wallaby, and bush baby. Florian’s lively take on fur, fins, feathers, and scales just might inspire classes to compile their own menagerie.

HARRISON, David L. Sounds of Rain: Poems of the Amazon. photos. by Doug Duncan. Boyds Mills/Wordsong. 2006. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-442-6.

Gr 4-8-Twenty-four free verse offerings glide smoothly to capture the sensory bounty and emotional harvest of an Amazon River journey. Photographs and poems are assembled with an album’s informality, and youthful armchair explorers may be motivated to learn more about the diverse flora and fauna introduced here. There’s also a glimpse of the area’s human inhabitants.

HAVILL, Juanita. I Heard It from Alice Zucchini: Poems about the Garden. illus. by Christine Davenier. Chronicle. 2006. ISBN 978-0-8118-3962-4.

K-Gr 6-In “Vegetable Stew,” the tomatoes and eggplants dance, so it’s no surprise when celery sings and cucumbers tumble in “Blue Moon Over the Garden.” With lively, colored-ink illustrations and poems that span the seasons, this collection offers a year’s worth of whimsy. A good way to encourage budding horticulturists to plant their own seeds.

JACKSON, Rob. Animal Mischief. illus. by Laura Jacobsen. Boyds Mills/Wordsong. 2006. RTE $15.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-254-5.

Gr 1-5-Fun, yet factual, these 18 rhyming poems can be read for a chuckle or to find information. Everything from armadillos to ants and carnivorous plants is extolled in lighthearted verse. Cheerful colored-pencil artwork reflects the romping rhythms. Four pages offer additional information on the animals included in the poems.

PETERS, Lisa Westberg. Earthshake: Poems from the Ground Up. illus. by Cathie Felstead. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2003. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-029265-2; PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-029266-9.

Gr 2-5-With a solid foundation in geology, these 22 short, often comical, poems dig into the earth’s mysteries. Geysers, geodes, granite, and other rock-related topics have a softer side in this collection comprised primarily of free verse and illustrated with fluid mixed-media collages. Turn a pile of rocks into a class poetry collection by letting students pick their own igneous or sedimentary inspiration.

SCIESZKA, Jon. Science Verse. illus. by Lane Smith. Viking. 2004. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-670-91057-1.

Gr 2-8-Famous poems, songs, and nursery rhymes are rewritten as clever introductions to scientific principles, including the water cycle, states of matter, dinosaur extinction, and the Big Bang. Smith’s zany collages are as ironic and amusing as the words. Best of all, author and artist read the verses with bantering humor on an accompanying CD. They even add a few extra poems that never made the pages.

SIDMAN, Joyce. Song of the Water Boatman: And Other Pond Poems. illus. by Beckie Prange. Houghton. 2005. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-618-13547-9.

K-Gr 6-The creatures and plants that comprise a pond’s ecosystem are reflected in an informative mix of poetic forms. Skillful woodcuts with unique vantage points further illuminate concepts that include the food chain and the life cycle of dragonflies. This exquisite intersection of the verbal and the visual moves seamlessly through all four seasons. Notes on each page add useful facts.

ASHMAN, Linda. The Essential Worldwide Monster Guide. illus. by David Small. S & S. 2003. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-689-82640-5.

Gr 1-5-Monsters, more amusing than menacing, lurk on six continents luring students to explore the world. Watch out for Scotland’s legendary Loch Ness monster, avoid the tiny Abatwa who live beside African anthills, and don’t be beguiled by South America’s gold-eating Alicanto. Lighthearted watercolors add just the right touch of comedy. A map shows where to find all 13 mythical creatures captured here in lilting rhymes.

GUNNING, Monica. America, My New Home. illus. by Ken Condon. Boyds Mills/Wordsong. 2004. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-057-2.

Gr 3-6-Using quiet, simple free verse, the author recounts her experiences as an immigrant. Though the 23 poems speak of one person’s transition to a new life, the universality of her challenges and triumphs introduces students to present-day immigrants. Bright, realistic city scenes illustrate the positive messages. Kick off a family history unit with a few of these.

GREENFIELD, Eloise. When the Horses Ride By: Children in the Times of War. illus. by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. Lee & Low. 2006. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-58430-249-0.

Gr 2-6-Wars as far back as ancient China and as current as this century’s conflict in Iraq are viewed from a child’s perspective. Brief, but thought-provoking, free verse poems are mirrored by evocative collage illustrations. A gentle way to begin a dialogue on a very serious subject.

LEWIS, J. Patrick & Rebecca Kai Dotlich. Castles: Old Stone Poems. illus. by Dan Burr. Boyds Mills/Wordsong. 2006. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-1-59078-380-1.

Gr 4-8-European power struggles are chronicled in all but three of these 16 castle- connected poems. A legendary Castle in the Air, Hearst’s California abode, and the Himeji in Japan further expand the definition of fortress. Luminous oil paintings transport students to bygone realms of grandeur. Extensive explanatory notes and a 10-century time line are valuable springboards for further study.

SHANGE, Ntozake. Ellington Was Not a Street. illus. by Kadir Nelson. S & S. 2004. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-689-82884-3.

Gr 2-8-Velvet smooth, this illustrated rendition of the free-verse poem “Mood Indigo” highlights men of color such as Paul Robeson, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and W.E.B. DuBois. Based on the musicians, politicians, fighters, and other notables who visited the author’s childhood home, the biographical endnotes fill in the facts. Eloquent paintings make this a book to share. Video and audio versions available from Weston Woods.

SMITH, Charles R., Jr. I Am America. photos. by author. Scholastic/Cartwheel. 2003. RTE $14.95. ISBN 978-0-439-43179-8.

K-Gr 3-Multipaneled, photo close-ups of expressive children of diverse ages and ethnicities bring to full power the rap-resonate rhyming text. Describing backgrounds and interests of different children, the uncomplicated words are underpinned with deep meaning. A great way to launch a discussion on what it means to be an American, or inspire students to create their own “I Am” self-portraits.

WINTERS, Kay. Voices of Ancient Egypt. illus. by Barry Moser. National Geographic. 2003. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7922-7560-2.

Gr 4-8-The scribe, the weaver, the embalmer, and 10 other workers who lived during the time of the pharaohs tell about their tasks in graceful, fact-based verse. Illustrated with watercolor and pencil drawings, the text is further enriched by a hieroglyph of each worker’s profession. Easily adapted into dramatic monologues that will bring ancient Egypt to life.

CHERNAIK, Judith, ed. Carnival of the Animals: Poems Inspired by Saint-Saëns’ Music. illus. by Satoshi Kitamura. Candlewick. 2006. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-2960-1.

K-Gr 8-Thirteen poets put into words the “zoological fantasy” of this 19th-century French composer. An accompanying CD combines readings of each poem with its musical counterpart. Play the music first to see if students can guess if it’s a kangaroo, a swan, a tortoise, or even a dinosaur captured in music and rhyme. The double-page watercolor illustrations are as fanciful as the music.

GREENFIELD, Eloise. I Can Draw a Weeposaur and Other Dinosaurs: Poems. illus. by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. 2001. Tr $14.95. ISBN 978-0-688-17634-1; PLB $14.89. ISBN 978-0-688-17635-8.

K-Gr 3-Brief narrative poems about the creative process alternate with rhymes about wildly imaginative dino-creatures. It’s easy to guess what “Shoppersaurus” and “Sleeposaurus” do all day, but reading about them makes everyone a smileosaurus. Young artists will find colorful inspiration for their own herd of paint and paper prehistoric marauders. To make sure they clean up, read “Messysaurus.”

LARIOS, Julie. Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary. illus. by Julie Paschkis. Harcourt. 2006. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-15-205422-9.

K-Gr 3-This trip around the color wheel features both wild and domestic creatures in stylized gouache paintings. “Silver Gull” and “Pink Kitty” indicate the emphasis on repeated sound along with alliterative pairs “Purple Puppy” and “Gray Goose.” All 14 make-believe breeds will encourage students to write about and draw their own amazing animals. Brainstorm with a class to see how long the list can grow.

LEWIS, J. Patrick. Monumental Verses. National Geographic. 2005. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7922-7135-2; PLB $25.90. ISBN 978-0-7922-7139-0.

Gr 4-8-These massive testaments to ingenious architecture and sculpture span five continents. Easter Island’s ancient statues and the Empire State Building may seem vastly different, but both encourage young artists to dream. Jordan’s lost city of Petra and Machu Picchu on a mountaintop are as exciting as Paris’s Eiffel Tower. All 16 poems are illustrated with extraordinary photographs.

MORRISON, Lillian. Way to Go!: Sports Poems. illus. by Susan Spellman. Boyds Mills/Wordsong. 2001. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-56397-961-3.

Gr 1-8-Skiing, skating, surfing, sailing, playing soccer–there’s a poem for almost every sport in this small volume. Short verses on basketball, baseball, and biking can really get things moving. Racers and Rollerbladers, please get in line. Simple black-and-white pencil sketches add to the action.

MYERS, Walter Dean. Jazz. illus. by Christopher Myers. Holiday House. 2006. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-1545-8.

Gr 4-8-Simple rhyme schemes suit both the soul-drenched and sophisticated worlds of jazz. On oversize spreads, vivid paintings and poems celebrate the range of musical styles and reflect their energy. Two hundred years of jazz names and dates complete the tribute. Older students might create music to match the words and pictures, while younger children can clap, tap, and finger snap the rhythms.

SMITH, Charles R., Jr. Hoop Kings. Candlewick. 2004. RTE $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-1423-2.

Gr 3-8-A dozen of the NBA’s high-flying, fast-moving players are personified in articulate poems that speak the language of the court. Digital images catch the action with greats such as Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady. The most unique visual is a full-size foldout of Shaquille O’Neal’s sneaker print. A slam dunk for basketball fans and a chance to score with reluctant readers.