Poetry Book View

Kathey Smith
Book Review

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 -  Schertle, Alice. 2008.BUTTON UP. Ill. by Petra Mathers

Olando, Fla: Harcourt. 9780152050504

PLOT SUMMARY- In this very colorful picture book of poems the author does a great job of usings small critters to talk about outfits, Schertle use undies, hats, pjs, shoelaces, and more and all the items a engaging in activies "we'er hang looose laces and we don't do bows!" this was from BERTIE'S SHOELACES.  Schertle cleverly brings life to the outfits and critters.

CRITICAL ANAYSIS-  Schertle's writing has a bits of rhyming by using rhyming words on every other line in many of the poems "Bob climbs hills. Bob does wheelies. Bob takes spills." other poems may not rhyme but display the use of opposites " we like to be wet, we don't like dry" WANDA'S SWIMSUIT  Schertle's displays fun and alot of imaganary information in the piece of  work. Petra Mathers's watercolors make all of the critters come to life as they wear  the outfits that have voices.  Mathers defines the sky, water, and rocks by using pale blues, greens, and browns.  Mathers gives the titles of each poem personality by using colorful paint for the letters.

This book is a great for preschooler thru sixth, even if the younger children  can not read the material they would enjoy this book being read to them.  The  use of many verbs used by the clothes and the critters make the entire book   come to life.

REVIEW EXCERPT (S)-  Starred review in BOOKLIST:" Schertle's poetry is reminiscent of  A.A. Miline and begs to be read aloud" CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: "Rollicking poems told in the "voices" of  articles of clothing make up this fun collection"  KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Schertle pulls it off admirably , in a simple, straight forward manner."

CONNECTIONS-    This is a good book to use for teaching young children colors, opposits, and   about articles of clothing.  This book may be  read all at once, or a poem or two at a time.   Other books for children about cloths  Barrett, Judi. ANIMALS SHOULD CEFINITELY NOT WEAR CLOTHING. ISBN 0689708076  Lester, Helen. THE SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING. ISBN 100618868445