The Death of the Hat: A Brief History of Poetry in 50 Objects

The Death of the Hat: A Brief History of Poetry in 50 Objects selected by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Walker Books)

HC RRP $24.95

ISBN 9780763669638

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This stunning collection follows the evolution of poetry through time and objects. The introduction gives an historical overview of the changing periods of poetry. Beginning from the Early Middle Ages, 400-1000 and ending in Contemporary times, a great many objects are used as a single theme or themes in every poem.

Great preparation and research has been conducted to compile these 77 pages of poems by a variety of authors from all over the world. Included are Rumi, Edgar Allan Poe, Shakespeare, Sylvia Plath, William Wordsworth, Robert Burns, Tennyson, and many that are not well known names, but whose poetry is highly commendable.

As in all collections, there are always poems that stand out from the others for some related reason or other. The Death of the Hat by Billy Collins, which comes close to the end and is the title poem, is clever and thought-provoking. It speaks of times past and habits lost. Stick and Hat by Emporer Le Thanh Tong from the Renaissance Period offers wisdom and insight into the use of two common objects and their versatility.  Boxes and Bags by Carl Sandberg, Mushrooms by Sylvia Plath, and An Hymn to the Evening by Phillis Wheatley are also poems  I’ve chosen for their specific messages.

Readers will find their own favourites and perhaps all the poems will fall under this heading for some. No poetry enthusiast will be disappointed with the selection Paul B. Janeczko has chosen. Illustrations in watercolour and ink support each poem and add beauty to the rhyming and non-rhyming verse presented in this production for the 8+ age group (which includes adults of course).

    

A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Sing, Speak and Shout

 A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout selected by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Candlewick Press/Walker Books)
PB RRP $ 16.95
ISBN 978-0-7636-6083-3
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

All the poems in this book have been chosen because they are ideal for reading aloud. The poets range from Shakespeare to Lewis Carroll. They are a delightful selection of word sounds, up and downs, loud and soft, happy and sad, tales of woe and tales of triumph. In The Loch Ness Monster’s Song, there is language that will make you laugh out loud because you can’t say it, as there is in parts of Jabberwocky.

The poems are entertaining and ridiculous, clever and creative as in Pasta Parade and Corinna. There are Limericks and Tongue Twisters; List poems, Bilingual poems; Poems For One Voice, Poems For Two Voices, Poems For Three Voices and Poems For a Group. You’ll find Rhymed Poems and Short Stuff.

This selection is outstanding! Children will love the sounds and have fun with this book simply because that’s what it’s created for. It’s also educational and encourages the reader to learn a poem by heart The cover is as crazy and lively as the poems in the book.

The wonderful watercolour illustrations in thick brushstrokes complement each page. The end pages show patchwork pieces of patterned cloth and letters of different writing styles floating upon a bright red background.

There is always a favourite. Mine is Favourite! It’s about ‘an olive drab corduroy coat’ that ends: ‘I may have looked funny – But I called myself Honey – In my olive drab – horizontal – wide-wale - barrel buttoned - plush coloured – corduroy coat’. (I had a coat like this as a child.)

Who says children have all the fun? I love this book! Its contents filled me with laughter and joy. It is the ideal gift for anyone wanting a pick-me-up, or for no reason at all except for enjoying the surprising selection of wonderful work contained within. Ideal for readers of 5 to 105+