Splish Splash

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Illustrated with bold graphics and gingham trimmings, 21 clever poems about water burble and dance across the pages of this vivid volume. Except for Graham's introductory poem (which explains that water ``often spells surprises/ with its changing forms and sizes''), the entries are concrete poems, with the arrangement of the type reflecting the content of each verse. A work about the ocean, for example, is set in rippled lines to match the wave that ``sneaks up to snatch my toes.'' A poem describing a ``boil, boiling, bubbling pot'' features white letters that spell ``steam'' rising above a black saucepan on a stove. A poem shaped like a cherry popsicle-``popsicle/ popsicle/ tickle/ tongue fun/ licksicle/ sticksicle/ please/ don't run''-ends with red letters spelling ``sticky'' substituting for the wooden stick. A delightful blend of visual and verbal fun. Ages 5-8. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

PW called this collection of 21 (mostly) concrete poems with vivid graphic illustrations "a delightful blend of visual and verbal fun." Ages 4-8. (Mar.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

This is an amazing book of poems! All of the poems are about water from crocodile tears to steam. Many of the poems are concrete poems, forming the shape of the poem's subject. The unusual words are definitely a mouthful but are delightful to read aloud or silently. The graphic designs are a perfect accompaniment to the bold poems. Younger children will find this book enchanting, with bold colors and captivating pictures. The illustrations usually serve as a backdrop for poems, which are artistically arranged on the page. The book would be good to have in an elementary classroom to use when teaching poetry. It is an excellent example of the joy of poetry and of how playful a poet can be in creating poems. This book of poetry is appropriate for all ages. It is fun! 2001 (orig. 1994), Houghton Mifflin Co, Ages 4 to 8.
— Rachael Creager

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-A colorful collection of poems about water and the particular ways children may come in contact with it- from ocean waves; to rain, hail, and dew; to steam and ice. Bold, graphic artwork expands upon the concrete form of the poetry. ``Popsicle,'' for instance, is in the shape of an icy treat being eaten by a smiling mouth. Blue-and-white letters form the vertical low to high lines of what looks like water coming from a ``!Sprinkler!'' ``Steam'' is represented by white letters rising from a black pot. Each poem is one or two pages long and in addition to being visual, cries to be read aloud. Graham uses alliteration to indicate a boiling pot-``boil, boiling, bubbling'' as well as onomatopoeia in several entries, such as ``Babbling Brook.'' An enjoyable introduction to poetry that will also be a boon to teachers taking a whole-language approach to science units. A fun and useful purchase.-Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, VA

Ellen Mandel

The artistry of Scott's graphic design ignites Graham's whimsical poems that celebrate water in all its various forms. The placement of the words in the vibrantly colored, uncluttered illustrations is an integral part of the imagery: phrases ricochet off walls like hailstones in "Hail" or cluster together in a tall glass in "Ice Cubes." Whether describing water in such natural states as clouds, in such fanciful forms as crocodile tears, or in such artificially harnessed forms as a shower ("A shower is a private cloud / it is a special place / where I can make it rain so hard / in such a little space"), Graham and Scott team to create a wonderful collection of concrete poetry that is easily as refreshing as a spring rain.