A Poem in Your Pocket (Mr. Tiffin's Classroom Series)
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- $4.99
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
Usher in National Poetry Month with Mr. Tiffin and his students, stars of the hugely popular How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? and The Apple Orchard Riddle.
Once again, Margaret McNamara sets her playful, child-friendly story in the classroom, and this time, poetry—from metaphors to acrostics to haiku—is the name of the game. The focus here is on Elinor, whose confidence falters as she tries to write something "perfect" for Poem in Your Pocket Day and impress a visiting poet. G. Brian Karas's accessible, adorable illustrations add to the fun.
Includes a list of Mr. Tiffin's tips for celebrating Poem in Your Pocket Day.
"A nimble introduction to poetry as well as a sensitive look at the perils of perfectionism." —The New York Times
"Pair this book with the works of Shel Silverstein, Paul B. Janeczko, Jack Prelutsky, Douglas Florian, or Robert Louis Stevenson." —School Library Journal, Starred
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Last seen in The Apple Orchard Riddle, Mr. Tiffin and his class are back to celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day, which includes the chance to recite their poetry in an assembly starring a poet named Emmy Crane. Almost everyone embraces his or her muse, practicing figures of speech ("Math is like a knot" observes one student) and forms that range from haiku to concrete and light verse. But quiet Elinor can't find her poetry groove, and when the big day arrives, she admits, "I have nothing in my pocket. Nothing at all." Emmy Crane proves as empathic and effective a teacher as Mr. Tiffin, and Elinor finds her unexpectedly eloquent voice on stage. If the story occasionally strains credulity in its idealized portrait of contemporary school dynamics, its emotional foundation is sound, and teachers will find this an excellent road map for poetry-related activities. The amiable pictures and calm, compassionate narration should persuade even the most timorous readers that they, too, can have a poet's eyes. Ages 4 8.
