You Can Write Cool Poems

April 1, 2012

Gr 2-4-This collection instructs readers on how to use the written word in a variety of often-assigned formats. Multi-hued with plenty of color photos, varying font size, "Fast Fact" text boxes, and writing tips, the books will capture the interest of burgeoning writers. Nearly every spread contains an entertaining exercise. For example, Stories features a close-up photo of a turtle's shell and asks readers to imagine "what if a turtle woke up and its shell was missing?" Short sentences and direct language make the titles motivational without being overwhelming. A link in each volume connects readers to an online list where they can access relevant websites chosen and approved by the publisher. Overall, an interesting, interactive introduction to written communication.

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2012
Grades 1-3 Everybody has something to say, and we all need a little help finding the right way to express ourselves. The You Can Write series, targeted toward the youngest would-be writers, offers tips on how to channel thoughts and feelings into written words. You Can Write Cool Poems alternates practical advice with opportunities for practice. Topics include the importance of details in a poem ( How does a cat look? Smell? Sound? ); how to effectively repeat sounds; what an active verb is; and constructing free-verse poems. Both titles are visually interesting, with plenty of color, bright photographs, and images of kids engaged in creative endeavors. It's crucial to make writing fun for the early-elementary-age set, and this series, strong in both presentation and content, is sure to inspire the scribe within.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)