Jumping Off Library Shelves: Poetry Review
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2015. Jumping Off Library Shelves: A Book of Poems. Honesdale, PA:
WordSong (Imprint of Highlights). ISBN-13: 978-1590789247
Manning, Jane. 2015. Jumping
Off Library Shelves: A Book of Poems. Lee Bennett Hopkins. Honesdale, PA:
WordSong. ISBN-13: 978-1590789247
SUMMARY/ANALYSIS
This book presents a collection of poems selected by Lee
Bennett Hopkins, written by 15 different authors, and illustrated by Jane
Manning. All poems revolve around the subject of the library, and present poems
of a variety of library subjects, including library cards, exploring books,
librarians, poetry itself, and more, and are accompanied by colorful and
expressive illustrations that are done in a watercolor type stylization. Even
the very first page of the book (the page before the title page) contains a
vivid portrayal of children with colorful books. These watercolor images seem
to be in motion, one little girl in braided pigtails reads a book while chasing
her lively dog, one frizzy-haired child explores a book while roller skating,
while other children sit while reading, walk with books in hand, and one little
boy drags a red wheelbarrow behind him, a stack of books and little sister in
tow.
In addition to beautiful images that seem to leap right off
the pages of this collection of poems, the poems themselves are wonderfully written
and are each brought to life in their own way. The very first poem, “Breakfast
Between the Shelves” by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, does an incredible job of painting
a picture in the reader’s mind of mice scurrying around the library, on a quest
to find their breakfast of crumbs between the various library shelves. Dotlich’s
poem is not one that follows a rhyme scheme, but instead is written in an
easily flowing, lyrical rhythm. The punctuation, paragraph breaks, and use of
italics bring the words to life and allow the reader to read with enthusiasm
when appropriate, as well as when to pause within the poem. For example, one
section of the poem reads as follows:
Mice scamper
between shelves,
pass poems
like platters of cheese;
Please read this about Owl!
And this about Giant!
The way in which Dotlich displays the writing allows for
the reader to effortlessly read the verse, taking a pause before the phrases in
italics, and then reading those phrases as an action. The poem creates true
imagery within the reader’s mind, painting a mental picture of the mice,
scurrying amongst the shelves, reading the various book titles. Accompanying the
poem is a beautiful watercolor illustration by Jane Manning that serves to
encompass the story told within the poem, complementing the imagery created with
words with lively pictures. The painting shows a peaceful looking library,
complete with sun pouring through windows, comfy reading chairs, stacks of
books, and two little mice traveling in between shelves. This illustration is
the perfect companion to the written poem and serves to supplement it
wonderfully.
POEM PLUS “TAKE 5” ACTIVITIES
The poem below, “Refuge” by Nikki Grimes, is a perfect
example of one of the poems in this book collection that serves to bring the
library to life. This poem revolves around the theme of the library serving as
a sort of sanctuary, or “refuge”, for children, bringing the life the trek of
one small child as they race onward towards the library, gleefully approaching
their “sweet kingdom of story”. With its childhood familiarity of excitement,
and playful tone, this is a great read!
Refuge
By Nikki
Grimes
My library comes into view.
Almost
there!
I sprint the last few yards,
charge up the stone steps, breathless,
and push through the double doors,
smiling at the sweet kingdom of story
inviting me in
to rest, to explore-
to dream.
Take 5
Activities
1. Read through the poem aloud
while showing the images within the book, pausing after to talk about what
stuck out the most to the children.
2. Reread the poem,
encouraging the children to real along as well, pausing when appropriate, and
speaking enthusiastically when reading phrases in italics.
3. Ask the children to share
their experiences within the library. Do they feel excited, as the child in the
poem does, when approaching the library? Why do they like the library?
4. Pair this poem with the
picture book Lola at the Library by
Anna McQuinn (Charlesbridge, 2006) and talk about what similarities there are
between this book and the poem. Does Lola also seem to love the library and
treat it as a safe, fun place?
5. Link this poem with another
poem about the library, “Library” by Michael Rosen (Even My Ears Are Smiling poem collection), or read the library poem
“My Place to Fly” by Ted Scheu.
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