I was excited to share on Wednesday about Water Can Be… making it onto the Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly Commended list. And one of the reasons it’s such an honor is because of the OTHER books loved by the award committee. Katherine Applegate’s Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla earned a Charlotte Zolotow Honor. It’s such a beautiful book. In this poetryaction, I really just tried to capture the core emotional experience of Ivan, and how the book gives a sense of hope despite the terrible conditions of much of his life.
Here I am reading this poetryaction.
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Don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup at Paul Hankins’ These 4 Corners.
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Poetryaction: After reading a picture book, sometimes I jot down a quick poem based on something in the book. It could be inspired by the entire book, the setting, a character, or even just a tiny detail in a picture or a single phrase from the text. I’m using picture books as a jumping off point for poems. I thought this might be something interesting for you to do in your classroom, so I’m going to share some of them here. I’m collecting them on a Pinterest board.
Bookalikes: A lot of times, when I’m reading a book, I think, “Oh, this would be fun to pair with XYZ book!” So I’m sharing those here when I think of them. These have their own bookalikes Pinterest board, too:>)
44 Responses
I read The One and Only Ivan to my students last year. I think we will have time tomorrow to submit some adjectives for rocks.
I still need to read that! And–wonderful! I need adjectives!
I read The One and Only Ivan to my students last year. I think we will have time tomorrow to submit some adjectives for rocks.
I still need to read that! And–wonderful! I need adjectives!
I loved that Katherine Applegate has written a picture book that tells more, and adds a book for younger chlldren too. It, like the chapter book, is wonderful. I love this, Laura: “People cared.” Can you imagine-27 years!
I haven’t even read her other Ivan yet, though it’s on my (endless) list! 27 years–boggles my mind. I was SO sad reading this picture book, and then so happy that she was able to still convey his happiness at his freedom.
I loved that Katherine Applegate has written a picture book that tells more, and adds a book for younger chlldren too. It, like the chapter book, is wonderful. I love this, Laura: “People cared.” Can you imagine-27 years!
I haven’t even read her other Ivan yet, though it’s on my (endless) list! 27 years–boggles my mind. I was SO sad reading this picture book, and then so happy that she was able to still convey his happiness at his freedom.
I love your poem. Creating a poem after reading a picture book, great idea!
Thanks, Freeda. I’m really enjoying making poetryactions after reading (usually) picture books. So many different ways to approach them, but they all let me think about the book a little more deeply!
I love your poem. Creating a poem after reading a picture book, great idea!
Thanks, Freeda. I’m really enjoying making poetryactions after reading (usually) picture books. So many different ways to approach them, but they all let me think about the book a little more deeply!
Laura,
Like the story, your poem has heart. Thanks!
Thanks, Linda. This book touched me.
Laura,
Like the story, your poem has heart. Thanks!
Thanks, Linda. This book touched me.
Loved the novel. I haven’t read the PB, but have wondered if it could possibly live up to the novel’s reputation. Seems you’ve answered that for me today! Beautiful response poem, Laura.
Thank you, Michelle–it’s heartbreaking. I haven’t read the novel yet. Not sure I’ll be able to take it. 27 years.
Loved the novel. I haven’t read the PB, but have wondered if it could possibly live up to the novel’s reputation. Seems you’ve answered that for me today! Beautiful response poem, Laura.
Thank you, Michelle–it’s heartbreaking. I haven’t read the novel yet. Not sure I’ll be able to take it. 27 years.
this is wonderful I don’t think I have hear about this is it a true story
It is :>( She wrote a novel based on the true story, too, called THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, which won the Newbery a year or two ago. The picture book has a bit in the back about the facts of the story.
this is wonderful I don’t think I have hear about this is it a true story
It is :>( She wrote a novel based on the true story, too, called THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, which won the Newbery a year or two ago. The picture book has a bit in the back about the facts of the story.
Your poem is evoking. I can feel that switch when I read it. I especially love “breezes ruffled fur.” I read the novel, but now I want to read the picture book!
Hi Karin–thank you! It’s a beautiful pb. (I haven’t read the novel yet!)
Your poem is evoking. I can feel that switch when I read it. I especially love “breezes ruffled fur.” I read the novel, but now I want to read the picture book!
Hi Karin–thank you! It’s a beautiful pb. (I haven’t read the novel yet!)
I loved Ivan, although I haven’t read the picture book version. You’ve captured the essence beautifully — that lonely, heartless isolation.
I haven’t read the novel yet, Tara. On my very-long tbr list!
I loved Ivan, although I haven’t read the picture book version. You’ve captured the essence beautifully — that lonely, heartless isolation.
I haven’t read the novel yet, Tara. On my very-long tbr list!
Nice, Laura 🙂 I LOVE The One and Only Ivan
Thanks, Donna–still need to read that one…
Nice, Laura 🙂 I LOVE The One and Only Ivan
Thanks, Donna–still need to read that one…
Laura, I love the idea of poetryaction. I’ve written in reaction to a novel, but not picture books. It’s something I must try. Your Pinterest board is great. I followed!
Thanks, Joyce! I’m really enjoying writing them:>)
Laura, I love the idea of poetryaction. I’ve written in reaction to a novel, but not picture books. It’s something I must try. Your Pinterest board is great. I followed!
Thanks, Joyce! I’m really enjoying writing them:>)
Hi there Laura, I just borrowed this book from the library and I really can not wait to read it. I also have the novel-in-verse which I hope to read this year. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your poetry response to Ivan.
The picture book is heartbreaking and heartmending all at the same time, Myra. I need to read the novel, still:>)
Hi there Laura, I just borrowed this book from the library and I really can not wait to read it. I also have the novel-in-verse which I hope to read this year. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your poetry response to Ivan.
The picture book is heartbreaking and heartmending all at the same time, Myra. I need to read the novel, still:>)