LIZARADS, FROGS, AND POLLIWOGS
Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs
Written
and illustrated by: Douglas Florian
Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt, 2001
42
pages
Poetry
Book
I choose to read this book of poems
because I had enjoyed reading another book of poems from Douglas Florian called
Dinothesaurus. Like Dinothesaurus, this book also contains characteristics
and facts about its poems’ topics as well. However, in the case of Lizards,
Frogs, and Polliwogs, the
poems are all about reptiles and amphibians such as geckos, alligators, wood
frogs, and bullfrogs. The poem styles range from rhyme to concrete. Some of the
poems are even tongue twisters, but all are fun and informational. My personal
favorite poem from the collection is The Tortoise.
The Tortoise is a short poem that rhymes while talking about turtles and
their shells. From the story the reader is able to learn the purpose of a turtles
shell and how a turtle gets its shell.
The
illustrations in this poetry book were done in watercolors on primed brown
paper bags with collage. I feel that Florian’s
for of illustrating is unique and adds character to his books. The text in the story are done in the most
formal form, where the text is opposite of the illustrations.
Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs has not
won any awards, but it has received raving reviews from magazines and teachers.
I myself would personally include this book in my classroom’s library. I feel
that poetry books are not included enough in classrooms and this would make an
excellent source of poetry to catch students’ interests. Since the story is
simple I would suggest this book for children kindergarten and up. When introducing
this book to the class I would create integrated lessons to go along with the
poems within it. For science, I would use the poems to discuss reptile and
amphibian characteristics. I would also, use this book to introduce poetry and rhyme
to younger children. Lastly, I would pull poems from this book to do phonic
words by breaking the poems apart.
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