Poetry is a complex form of literature. In a unique way, poetry is able to capture and describe some of the deepest feelings and thoughts of people.
Unfortunately, the very strength of poetry is sometimes the reason students find it to be dense and unappealing. To avoid these problems, younger children are often taught rhyming, melodic poetry. In this type of poetry, children can hear the music and meter of the writing. This allows them to enter into the world being described with joy and adventure. Many beginning poetry books will combine photographs or illustrations with the text to help students understand the meaning of the poems. A wonderful example of this type of book is "Count Me A Rhyme: Animal Poems by the Numbers." The author of this fine title is Jane Yolen, and the accompanying photographs are the work of Jason Stemple.
Yolen begins with a picture of a lone elk, and a poem starting with the delightful cadence of: "One, Single, Solo, Me, The Only One That I can See." Beside the poem are sidebars filled with information. In addition to the number being displayed, the Roman Numeral for each number is given as well. Synonyms are placed throughout the background to develop vocabulary and enhance interest. This combination of photography and writing allows students to see that there are many ways to understand the number one, and to be able to describe a singular item. Yolen writes in such a fluid style that students will soon be clapping their hands to the rhythm and time of each poem.
With each additional number, the poet adds new ideas that relate to music or mathematics. The animals in the pictures quickly draw students into the poem. Beside the number four, we see four slow snails crawling up a reed. The word "quartet" is carefully placed under the poem to develop understanding. The connection with music is implicitly made.
The number six begins teaching students mathematical terms such as "hexagon." The pictures at times are funny, and the text leads to laughter. The book tells us that the "seven turtles on the go are slow, s l o o o w." The turtles look so homely that they become loveable.
Yolen continues through the number 10 and beyond. One of the numbers is written in Japanese Haiku poetry.
At the conclusion of the book, the poet introduces students to the idea of infinity. How many grains of sand are there on a beach, and how many stars can be in the sky? The enchanting pictures and satisfying poems will encourage children to begin seeking these answers.
Jane Yolen is a prolific writer of novels and picture books. Her writing has entertained and informed children for many years.
It is not easy to take a simple subject such as counting from one through 10 and make it an experience in vocabulary, music and mathematics. But Yolen has accomplished this task throughout this humorous, delightful, educational picture book. She skillfully guides young readers through this endeavor, and encourages children to imagine and learn about the physical world.
I hope you read this book with the children you love. It will give you as much pleasure as it gives the children. Enjoy!
