A Poke in the I selected by Paul B Janeczko

Janeczko, Paul B. 2001. A poke in the I. Ill. by Chris Raschka. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763606619

Janeczko has selected thirty previously published concrete poems for this collection illustrated by Chris Raschka.  The variety and visual interest of these poems set this volume apart.  The artwork complements and adds interest and meaning to the unique shapes and forms of the poems.  Rather than relying on the imagery of the words alone, the poems represent and depict movement, shape, and meaning in many ways.  Most of the poems are very brief in word count, but rely heavily on sight and sound to convey meaning and engage interest.

The volume features a variety of poets (including one previously unpublished poem by the illustrator Raschka) with multiple poems by Robert Froman, Douglas Florian, and John Hollander.  While the poems vary greatly in length, complexity, and tone, they are connected by the interactive nature of the visual representations.  The poems and illustrations form one cohesive unit that will appeal to a broad range of abilities, interest levels, and moods of children. Janeczko provides an editor's note to help introduce and explain the idea of concrete poetry.  Several of the poems are grouped on a spread with poems of similar theme or meaning which adds continuity to the collection as a whole, and a table of contents provides access points to the various poems.

Featured poem:

"Popsicle" by Joan Bransfield Graham

Popsicle

Popsicle

tickle

tongue fun

licksicle

sticksicle

please

don't run

dripsicle

slipsicle

melt, melt

tricky

stopsicle

plopsicle

hand all

s

t

i

c

k

y

As it is printed in the book, the poem takes on the shape of a popsicle with all lines except the last word forming a rectangle of text and "sticky" written downward on the page to form the stick of the popsicle.

This poem is a great introduction to concrete poems because it's a simple and obvious shape that corresponds directly to the subject of the poem.  The language, made-up words, rhythm, and rhyme also make it an entertaining choice.

I would share the poem directly from the book to expose students to the shape and illustration.  Further concrete examples could also be shared from the collection.  After reading "Popsicle" and engaging students in some discussion of how shape and placement of a poem can add meaning just as much as word choice, I would encourage students to experiment with shape, font, and illustration of their own poems.