by Marilyn Singer
Wow, these are clever. I think fractured fairy tales can be really difficult to do well without feeling derivative, but Singer nails these on the head. They are all so well done and thought provoking, particularly “Do You Know My Name?” about Rumpelstiltskin and the girl he spins for.
Two things I don't care for: fairy tale retellings (getting old, imho) and poetry, especially for children (nonsense verse, ugh) BUT this was clever and, I can tell, fiendishly difficult to write. Updated review coming after I've read this to my students.
A reverso. Read it normally or read it in reverse: one poem, two poetic experiences. Mirror mirror contains 13 reverso poems that rise out of different fairy tales (as well as a few more that don't). To give you a picture of the type of poem, here are the first two lines of the poem "Disappointm...
My favorite verse was the Doubtful Duckling p[14-15]. I am bias to this particular one because it was one of my favorite bedtime stories as a child. Singer’s reverso poem was able to flawlessly express the duckling’s internal struggle. Masse’s illustrations throughout the book flow seamlessly and ...
Such a fun book full of brighly colored illustrations. I love how the book displays two points of view for each fairy tale through clever poems and illustrations. It would be fun for students to read and then try writing their own reversos!
Fun collection of poems (and illustrations) that look at two sides of popular fairy tales.
Really enjoyed this one. More a poetry book based on fairytales, the fun part here is that on one side of the page you have a poem based on one character in the tale (like Sleeping Beauty), then on the facing page you have the poem reversed based on another character in the story (like the Prince). ...
This is the kind of book that I wish was not just hanging out in the children's book ghetto. I complain a lot, and loudly, about the books I endure at bedtime - although there are many, many good ones out there, do not get me wrong. Kids tastes are weird though, and they do not necessarily freak out...
I don't have a lot to say about this one because it's a picture book and it's short as a result, but its shortness does not work against it. This is more brilliant than most long books of poetry. It's so clever. I loved it.
I have been very eagerly awaiting this collection - clever poetry based on fairy tales! Where do I sign up?Each poem (or reverso as Singer calls them) can be read both forwards and backwards. Impressive that she was able to crank out fourteen of these suckers, but also that they all fit neatly wit...
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