Singer, Marilyn. 2013. FOLLOW FOLLOW: A BOOK OF REVERSO POEMS. ill. Josee Masse. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 9780803737693
SUMMARY:
A collection of poems that can be read from top to bottom or from bottom to top. Each direction the poem is read, a different meaning, message, or view point is conveyed. Like magic, the same words hold new meaning while maintaining the poems topic. The focus for this poetry pictures book centers around classic fairy tales with a sly twist.
QUALITY & APPEAL:
Age Range: 6 years and up
Grade Level: 1st and up
Marilyn Singer presents familiar fables and fairy tales in a fresh new way. Readers will enjoy revisiting old favorites like THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, PUSS IN BOOTS, and THE GOLDEN GOOSE. The language used in each poem is used in a unique way that leaves an impression on the read as ideas, descriptions, and emotions are conveyed. The poems are organized and laid out in a clear and creative manner. Each poem is represented creatively through Josee Masse's art. The bright colors bring the characters to life. On the opposite page, the poem is presented twice. Once for the readers to read from top to bottom, and then again from bottom to top. Readers will eagerly want to read additional poems to experience Singer's creative craftsmanship.
Educators will find the poems within this book a refreshing tool to engage students in their learning. The poems and the creative way they are presented will be appealing and memorable to students. Most will be familiar and remind them of childhood experiences, making them a perfect fit for the engagement phase of lessons to activate background knowledge on a topic or subject. To clarify poem topics, the book includes an informational section in the back where each poem is discussed.
SPOTLIGHT POEM: (Excerpt from book)
READY, STEADY, GO!
(Read TOP to BOTTOM - Hare's POV)
That ridiculous loser!
I am not
a slowpoke,
Though I may be
the smallest bit distracted,
I can't be
beat,
I've got rabbit feet to
take me to the finish line.
(Read BOTTOM to TOP - Tortoise's POV)
Take me to the finish line!
I've got rabbit feet to
beat.
I can't be
the smallest bit distracted.
Though I may be
a slowpoke,
I am not
that ridiculous loser.
CONNECTION:
Use the above poem to introduce students to one of Aesop's fables, THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE.
- View 1934 Disney video to engage students in the lesson.
- Discuss and create an anchor chart displaying characteristics of fables:
- Short story
- Animals as main characters who take on human characteristics (talking, walking, wear clothes, live in houses, etc.)
- Personification
- Usually one problem
- Ends with a lesson or moral
- Provide a copy of the above poem for each student.
- Read Marilyn Singer's poem, READY, STEADY, GO!, in its entirety.
- Then re-read the Hare's section only.
- Discuss this section of the poem and how the punctuation clarifies the POV of the Hare, and identify the types of fable characteristics found in this section of the poem.
- Re-read the Tortoise's section.
- Discuss this section of the poem and how the punctuation clarifies the POV of the Tortoise, and identify the types of fable characteristics found in this section of the poem.
- Re-read the poem in its entirety once again.
- Discuss the moral or lesson this fable is conveying.
- Provide other fable text for students to read, discuss, and identify fable characteristics while working in a small group.
- Groups will create a poster to present their group's story, the fable characteristics found, and a self-created poem that can be read from top to bottom AND bottom to top using Singer's poem as a mentor text.
- Groups will hang up their poster and participate in a gallery tour to view their fellow peers' work.
- Students will leave positive feed back using Post-It notes.
- Assess individual student's comprehension during a final unit test that include and compares fables with other types of genres that have been discussed, such as fairy tales.
LINKS:
- Companion book to MIRROR MIRROR: A BOOK OF REVERSIBLE VERSE by Marilyn Singer
- Meet the author
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