Poetry

Artwork by Yayo

Image from www.holidayhouse.com

I Am The Book 

by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Illustrated by Yayo 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2011. I AM THE BOOK. Ill. by Diego “Yayo” Herrera. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 9780823421190

PLOT SUMMARY

“A book is a wonderful magical treat.” In this 2011 compilation, Lee Bennett Hopkins gathers thirteen poems by both new and well-known authors about the wonders and power of books, and the joy that reading can bring. Each poem is wonderfully illustrated by Yayo on a two-page spread. Themes run from the anticipation of diving into books, as in Beverly McLoughland’s “When I Read,” to the adventures that reading takes us on, as in Jill Corcoran’s “Pirates.”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This anthology contains a wonderful collection of poems connected by a common theme near and dear to a librarian’s heart – reading. The language of each poem is certainly appropriate for the recommended age group, but the themes may be understood and appreciated by older, life-long readers as well. The book contains a good variety of both rhyme and free-verse, current poems, and the overall length is suitable for 2nd graders and up. Each poet draws a reader in with a variety of styles of writing. Some of the poems hook us in with imagery as Kristine O’Connell George’s “Don’t’ Need a Window Seat.”

Riding home from the library,

don’t need a window seat.

Got a great new book to read,

eleven more beneath my feet.

Others use sound, like “Poetry Time” by Lee Bennett Hopkins.

It’s poem o’clock

Time for a rhyme—

            tick-tock

            ding-dong

            bing-bong

            or

            chime.

Still others personify books, as in the title poem, “I Am the Book,” by Tom Robert Shields, while some even suggest the idea that a good book can be our friend, as in “This Book” by Avis Harley.

Books are such mind-thrilling

Spine-tingling friends.

The illustrations by Yayo, composed of acrylic on canvas, beautifully convey the descriptions and images created by the poems. The soft brush strokes add whimsy, as does the use of books to represent and replace some key poem characters - a window, the sea, a pillow, etc. The book also contains a convenient table of contents with the title and author of each poem, and a brief biography of each of the contributors in section at the back of the book titled, “About the Poets.” I Am the Book is recommended for grades 2 to 5, but read aloud, can be enjoyed by anyone!

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

"Lest we forget the magic of the printed page, this collection of poems by contemporary writers celebrates the joys of reading." Publishers Weekly (Feb. 2011)

"Fun for sharing with preschoolers, this will also spark discussion in grade-school writing and art classes." Booklist (Mar. 2011)

"The attractive and fanciful acrylic paintings feature exaggerated shapes and perspectives that go nicely with the flights of imagination depicted in the poems." School Library Journal (Apr. 2011)

"Lee Bennett Hopkins’ compilation of poetry about the love of reading and books would be a great addition to any elementary media center. … The illustrations have a whimsical and carefree feeling that all readers will enjoy." Library Media Collection (Aug./Sept. 2011)

♦ California Reading Association’s Eureka! Nonfiction Picture Book Award, Silver Honor Book

♦ 2012 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books

CONNECTIONS

Use this book as an introductory lesson to the library. Discuss all the different kinds of books there are available, and how books can make you feel and “take you places.”

Student can read aloud a poem during a family reading night, or as a part Poetry Month activities.

Students can choose one of the authors of the collection from the brief biographies in the back of the book and research more of their poetry.

Invite the students to “spot the book” on each spread. Discuss why the illustrator chose to use a book to represent that object, or discuss how the illustrations are representative of the poems.

Other books of poetry about books:

--Good Books! Good Times! by Lee Bennett Hopkins

--Wonderful Words by Lee Bennett Hopkins
--Please Bury Me in the Library by J. Patrick Lewis
--BookSpeak!: Poems About Books by Laura Purdie Salas

Other collections of poetry from Lee Bennett Hopkins:

--Alphathoughts: Alphabet Poems
--Days to Celebrate
--Give Me Wings!
--Sharing the Seasons: A Book of Poems

Visit Lee Bennett Hopkin’s website, or follow him on Facebook.