Moon, Have You Met My Mother?: Poetry Review
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kuskin, Karla. Moon,
Have You Met My Mother? (2003). New York, NY: Laura Geringer Books (An
Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers). ISBN-10: 0-06-027174-4
Ruzzier, Sergio. Moon,
Have You Met My Mother? (2003). Karla Kuskin. New York, NY: Laura Geringer
Books (An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers). ISBN-10: 0-06-027174-4
SUMMARY/ANALYSIS
Moon,
Have You Met My Mother? is a book comprised of a collection of poems
created by author Karla Kuskin. There are many poems found within this book,
but instead of each having its own individual title, these poems fit under 15
categories (please see table of contents). All of Kuskin’s poems possess an easy
to follow rhyme scheme, but that is the only similarity that links this
collection together. There are some short poems, and some long ones; some are
funny, and some are a little more serious; some poems are about bugs, and others
about words themselves. This is an eclectic mix of fun and quirky poems that
cover an array of subjects. This book collection is not full of illustrations,
but there are a few here and there spread throughout the book, created by illustrator
Sergio Ruzzier. These are childlike, black and white illustrations, and seem
drawn out in black pen that creates simple, effortlessly connecting lines. This
provides an overall “flowing” feel to these images, and give off the impression
of art created by children. One example poem that provides both a short,
rhyming poem, as well as a simple, cute illustration, is the poem on page 144
under the “Spring Again, Spring Again, Spring…” section of the book. This poem
goes as follows:
At the beginning:
unending clover.
When it’s ended:
the geese fly over.
This simplistic poem follows an easy rhyme scheme and the
image provided shows two geese flying over a hill with one clover popping out
of the ground. The hills are created by three simple, rounded lines, and the
clover breaks up one of these such lines. The geese themselves are a humble image
of geese, flying over the hills, eyes pointed towards the clover.
I read through this collection in no time, being unable to
put it down. These poems are the perfect before bedtime read for families to
enjoy together, as well as a fun collection to have within the library and
classroom.
POEM PLUS “TAKE 5” ACTIVITIES
The poems within this collection do not have individual
titles, but rather fit under a section. The chosen poem, located in the “I Need
to Read” section on page 222, is a great example of the quirky, fun rhyming
poems found within this book collection. Kuskin uses simplistic language and a
predictable rhyme scheme, allowing readers to effortlessly read these poems
both to themselves and aloud.
Poem
in the “I Need to Read” Section
By Karla Kuskin
What separates each one of us
from all the beasts and bugs and birds?
Well they have feathers, fur and wings
but we have words,
and words,
and words.
Take 5
Activities
1. Read
the poem aloud, using hand motions to create “flying” bugs and birds when
appropriate.
2. Reread
the poem, having the children chant the last part of the poem, “words, and words,
and words” aloud with you.
3. Discuss
how different we are from the “beasts” mentioned in the poem. Can we fly? Do we
have feathers? Do we have fur? How might we be alike? Do animals have languages,
or are words uniquely human?
4. Pair
this poem with the picture book The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard
Books, 2018) and discuss what kind of words are collected.
5. Read
another poem about words and language such as the poem “I Use My Words” by
Jaymie Gerard (achildrenspoemaday.com).
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