When the Teacher Isn't Looking

Children's Literature - Renee Farrah

The words joyfully tumble off the pages in these poems, just as children will joyfully tumble laughing. The days of the dog ate my homework are gone and are replaced by "My Computer Ate My Homework," in which after hours of typing, the computer erases everything despite the fact it "didn't prompt me to confirm." Each poem has an unexpected twist that prevents each poem from ending flat. For example, the poem "Amanda Ate An Orange" sounds harmless enough, until it is revealed she is actually eating crayons. In the case of "Falling Asleep in Class" it is the teacher not a student who puts their head down on their desk for a nap and wakes up when class is over. You get your usual school topics of cafeteria food, homework, substitutes, and holidays, but not all poems show ants only taking cafeteria dishes, homework completing dogs, a very jolly December substitute, or showing up for a class Halloween party one week early. These are extremely entertaining poems that are definitely reread-worthy. Gray scale illustrations take up most of the page and are as energetic as the words that inspired them. Reviewer: Renee Farrah