Immersed in Verse
Kids instinctively love poetry–its rhythm, its rhymes, and its playful transformation of ordinary language. And these days, such cutting-edge, youthful forms as rap, hip-hop, and slams have made poetry more relevant than ever. With its fun facts, exciting writing activities, and words of encouragement from a respected professional, Immersed in Verse nurtures the nascent poet in every child.
Best of all, these awe-inspiring ideas have nothing in common with blah school assignments. Instead, youngsters rearrange their favorite (or least favorite) poems; start their own poetry workshop; present “open mike night” in the basement; and record their friends reciting. Along the way, they’ll open more than a few “poet’s toolboxes.” They’ll explore the wonderful world of words and learn about attitude, equipment, techniques (including “metaphors be with you”), different styles of verse, revising your writing, getting published, and performing.
A Selection of the Children’s Book of the Month Club
“Go gonzo over words. Keep a daily journal. Read a lot. “Realize that poetry ain’t always pretty. . . . Don’t forget the small and insignificant, and the bad and the ugly.” Written in a chatty style and illustrated with full-color artwork showing all kinds of young poets–hip-hop, gothic, Beat, nerdy, secret, angry–this book makes writing and reading poetry cool. From sonnet and haiku to free verse, from Shakespeare and Langston Hughes to Shel Silverstein, the great selections will attract readers.”
Booklist, Starred Review
“Perfect for young writers wanting to take the plunge or for those who’ve already gotten their feet wet, this how-to guide–chock-full of examples–is sure to inspire and nurture young poets. The information is intensive without being overwhelming, wise without being didactic. Wolf ‘s love of language is evident throughout (poems are not meant to be ‘solved’; they are meant to be savored) as he offers a solid foundation with wit and humor.”
School Library Journal