This Librarian's Quick Picks: Ode to a Commode

Ode to a Commode: Concrete Poems
by Brian P. Cleary
illustrated by Andy Rowland
Millbrook (Aug. 1, 2014)
Poetry

Summary:

Is that a bird? a plane? No, it's a poem! Concrete poems are shaped like their subjects. They can look like objects, animals, or even people. Brian P. Cleary explains how concrete poems work--and creates some wild wordplay.

Why You'll Love It:

• Dude. It has a toilet on the cover. Can you say reluctant reader attraction?
• The book not only models high-interest concrete poems, but also gives readers a how-to tutorial and a starter list of subjects at the beginning of the book.
•  Teachers will find this book to be a well-received mentor text during poetry units.

Who Should Read It:

Great for grades 1-4.

What Else You Should Read:

• Pug: And Other Animal Poems by Valerie Worth
• Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems by Marilyn Singer
• Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole by Bob Raczka