BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lewis, J Patrick. 1998. Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape. Ill. By Lisa Desimini. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689810756
PLOT SUMMARY
In Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape, Lewis and Desimini present a series of concrete poems where words are arranged in the shape of the thing they are describing and collage is created to tell the story of the poem.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The illustrations are bright and colorful, the poems are whimsical and entertaining. Desimini incorporates all sorts of materials into her collage. Not all of them rhyme, but each poem flows through the shape, leaving the reader with a very clear image of the subject in mind. In one illustration, for a poem called "Dachshund", takes the shape of a dashund and cast a dog-shaped shadow while the woman with a diamond rings and purple hair holds the leash, as described in the poem. Photographs, cut outs, drawings, and textart all come together in this creative collage to bring the words to life. In "Lashondra Scores!" each line of the poem includes a word with the letter O which Desimini portrays as a basketball, the text creates an arc that follows the ball from Lashondra's hand to the hoop. Different kinds of poetry are included in the compilation: haiku, internal rhyming, combination of two poems overlapping (“Synchronized Swim Team”). The only thing that could improve this volume would be adding texture to the pages to create a fully three dimensional experience for the reader.
Illustrator Desimini called it "A true collaboration of text and art presenting poems that are pictures that are poems." (http://biography.jrank.org/pages/1729/Lewis-J-Patrick-1942.html) I think this is a treat for the ear and the eye, and a great introduction to poetry for children.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
“From endpaper to doodled endpaper, this mix of clever language and visual delights makes a dandy treat for all ages. Desimini's mixed-media illustrations and Lewis's inventive poems converge in a single work stronger than either would be independent of the other.” Publishers Weekly ( June 29, 1998)
“Every page of this book is well designed, creating words and images that work together in harmony. From the lavender endpapers that feature a mix of childlike drawings and letters in different typefaces, and the magic-marker doodles surrounding the various shapes on the CIP page, to the final page, each spread is fresh and inviting. Doodle Dandies captures the joy that wordplay can bring. It deserves a place on every library shelf.” -Kathleen Whalin. School Library Journal (August 01, 1998)
“Every page of this book is well designed, creating words and images that work together in harmony. From the lavender endpapers that feature a mix of childlike drawings and letters in different typefaces, and the magic-marker doodles surrounding the various shapes on the CIP page, to the final page, each spread is fresh and inviting. Doodle Dandies captures the joy that wordplay can bring. It deserves a place on every library shelf.” -Kathleen Whalin. School Library Journal (August 01, 1998)
CONNECTIONS
Kids will have a great time exploring these verses to see how words and artistic materials can literally shape a poem. They will equally enjoy creating poems of their own that mimic the shape of their subject.
Extend the poetry to include making an object (3D art project) and then writing the poem on the sculpture. Or write a poem, then create a shape for it that the student can copy the poem onto. Give attention to the media with which the shape is created. If the poem is about –try to use the same materials to create the object.
Extend the poetry to include making an object (3D art project) and then writing the poem on the sculpture. Or write a poem, then create a shape for it that the student can copy the poem onto. Give attention to the media with which the shape is created. If the poem is about –try to use the same materials to create the object.
RECOGNITIONS
Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee 1999-2000.
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