Eating my words And 128 other poems

Review by Booklist Review

"My grandma wears a two-foot wig / that's held on by APE pin. / But if you think her HARE is big, / EWE OTTER SEA URCHIN." If many of the poems here have previously appeared in Cleary's Poetry Adventures series, still for budding poets and critics--not to mention anyone fond of verse that is chock-full of funny, clever wordplay--this hefty gathering offers the benefits of one-stop shopping as the entries all feature, and come with marginal notes on, a range of rhyme schemes, poem types, and metrical structures. Along with showing a gift for combining broad humor with technical expertise (probably best exemplified by his take on a Shakespearean sonnet, "My Beagle's Breath Smells Nothing Like A Rose"), the poet's apparent preference for shorter forms may encourage reluctant readers to stay the course and inexperienced writers to stretch their language skills. The illustrations, which are likewise drawn from the earlier series, add comical cartoon spot art or riffs featuring a racially diverse cast of, mostly, children in various predicaments.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 1--4--This inventive collection boasts a dual identity: it's simultaneously a book of poems and a primer on poetic craft. Nearly every page features a sidebar or footnote inviting readers to examine the structure of the verse as well as its content. Bolstered by a thorough glossary, Cleary adroitly explores concepts of meter and rhyme and defines linguistic concepts, such as alliteration, simile, and personification. His precise, uncomplicated language makes these explanations accessible and appealing, and he cannily draws the eye toward helpful examples by asking, "Did you notice…?" Along the way, readers are introduced to poetic forms from around the world, including the French villanelle, the Indian doha, the Italian rispetto, and the Malaysian pantoum. As noted in the front matter, a several pieces were published in the author's previous collections, as were some of Rowland and Watson's zany cartoon illustrations. Is the artistry itself as successful as the instructional content? On the whole, yes. Cleary's writing is lively, earnest, and visually playful, with concrete poems, acrostics, rebuses, and even music-note letter substitutions providing spirited entertainment. While a few entries pass by without much impact, many strike an arresting tone, particularly the Japanese tanka "Dead to Me," which likens a shoebox to "a cardboard coffin," and the wistful, pun-filled ballad "When I Am No Longer," which declares, "They can give my arms to the army,/ take my eyes of blue,/ and give my knees to the needy,/ but my heart goes out to you." VERDICT An excellent addition to poetry collections, this volume will excite and engage, and--most importantly--it will empower children to write poems of their own.--Jonah Dragan

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

Inspiration for budding poets interested in wordplay. As usual taking a lighthearted approach, Cleary helpfully includes "A Recipe for Poetry: "A quarter cup of rhyming pairs-- / One pinch alliteration, / A dash of macaronic verse, / complete with full translation… / it's time to eat your words!" He explores far-ranging topics, from grammar to technology and even toilets. Cleary writes in a variety of forms--acrostics, haiku, list poems, palindrome, sensory poems--all listed in the book's index. Clearly, the author loves wordplay, as in his poem "Sleepover Party": "The letters had a sleepover / with popcorn, snacks, and TV. / But drinking too much soda / made the elemno P." He cleverly weaves puns into verses about love: "I'll love you till the BUTTERFLIES / until the SUGAR BOWLS. / I'll love you till the KITCHEN SINKS, / and CELERY STALKS the rolls." One poem's title--"WHAT I'D DO IF A BURGLAR BROKE INTO MY HOUSE"--is longer than the verse itself: "I'd / hide." Friendly spot illustrations accompany most of the poems; people depicted are racially diverse. Budding poets will find the glossary of poetic forms especially useful. Readers will gobble up heaping helpings of this humorous literary smorgasbord, but it's also suitable for savoring slowly. (further reading) (Poetry. 5-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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