Ode to a Commode: Concrete Poems (Poetry Adventures)

I really enjoy Brian's books and poetry. This one's a winner!

This books was perfect for teaching students how concrete poems look like. The poems are funny and the illustrations are perfect for each one. The kids could easily guess what the poem was about.

Really like these poems!

What better way is there to learn about poetry than penning a few yourself? Of course Brian Cleary is a master of verse, who has now branched out into haiku,lantern poetry, and now concrete. There are lessons to be learned and, in addition to teaching us how to write a concrete poem, he gives some very visual fun example of some. Young students are encouraged to create a few of their own.Brian Cleary first talks about the structure of most poems we are all familiar with but tells us that “some poems actually look like animals or objects.” These poems can and do take on many shapes and forms, some most unusual ones at that. Just taking a look at the commode concrete poem and it’s quite easy to see what he’s talking about.Young students are give a list of “idea starters,” something that just might kick start them into a fun venture into poetry. Cleary states that “A concrete poem takes on the shape of whatever it is about.” In this book there are poems about everything from that commode to an air show whizzing around and around the page to a “Brother’s shoe” that looks just like one.Take for example a concrete poem entitled “Going Up.” A balloon floats to the sky (or at least the top of the page):“Orange or blue and full of helium“floating up to reach the celium”The words “string string string string string” curve down to a person holding the balloon. I love the creative, fun slant Cleary infectiously inserts into the books in this new “Poetry Adventure” series. The artwork pops and has just the right amount of humor to interest young students. It’s far from boring and the poetry is very kid friendly. My favorite Cleary series, of course, are the CATegorical ones. Children in our area, especially the reluctant readers, love them!POETRY ADVENTURE: If It Rains Pancakes: Haiku and Lantern Poems Ode to a Commode: Concrete Poems This book courtesy of the publisher.

This is a collection of concrete poems. That is, poems that take the subject's shape. So a concrete poem about a tire swing would be circular, and so on. The subjects are varied and student-accessible. He even encourages my students to write their own concrete poems. Funny, funny writing from the bow tie wearing children's author who is teaching American students how to write poems.

Wonderfully creative. They are all shape poems.