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A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms
illustration. Each form is also represented by a symbol that helps the reader to remember the basic idea of each
form. For example, an epitaph is represented by a tombstone. A simple explanation of each form is provided with
the poem and more detailed explanations are located at the end of the book.
A Kick in the Head is a refreshing alternative to other guides of poetic form that can be too technical for younger
readers. Budding poets will find Janeczko's explanations of forms easy to understand. Raschka's bold illustrations
often overpower the poetry but offer alternative ways to think about the forms by presenting them visually. For
the most part, the poetry is also lighthearted and age-appropriate for elementary school children. Janeczko's book
can be found in the juvenile section at most public libraries.
Older readers may be frustrated by the limited treatment of complicated forms like the sonnet and ballad whose
depths cannot be fully described in a few sentences. The explanations can also be difficult to find on the page
and are printed in extremely small type. The twenty-nine forms that Janeczko has chosen include almost all of the
major forms in English despite the notable absence of the sestina. The poems are also not organized in any
particular way which detracts somewhat from its usefulness as an "everyday guide".
If you are looking for a serious reference guide to poetic form, this book is not it. However, overall, the book is
visually engaging and serves as a good basic introduction to poetic form. It would make a wonderful present to any
young writer and is a fun romp through the world of poetry for everyone.
Review by Suzanne Morgen
At first glance, A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms by Paul B. Janeczko
(Candlewick Press, 2005) appears to be just a picture book. Although the book's
presentation, tone, and colorful illustrations by Chris Raschka make it most appealing to
children, older students and adults may still find the book a useful guide because of the
inclusion of more complex poetic forms. The book aims to be an introduction to twenty-nine
different poetic forms beginning with the simple couplet all the way to longer forms such as
the villanelle and pantoum. An example of each form is given accompanied by a relevant
(Candlewick Press, 2005) appears to be just a picture book. Although the book's
presentation, tone, and colorful illustrations by Chris Raschka make it most appealing to
children, older students and adults may still find the book a useful guide because of the
inclusion of more complex poetic forms. The book aims to be an introduction to twenty-nine
different poetic forms beginning with the simple couplet all the way to longer forms such as
the villanelle and pantoum. An example of each form is given accompanied by a relevant
The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems
Review of The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems
Review by Jamie Lee on MOMformation blog
Review by Jamie Lee on MOMformation blog
R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet
included in a ninth grade English curriculum.
I personally used her book as a guide to try my hand at some poetic forms I had never tried before, and found
it most helpful. With beautiful, humorous illustrations, it is a cute read for the young. It is also a learning tool
for the older set. If it seems elementary, keep in mind that authors who have been successful at writing
children’s poetry, first had to read and gain an understanding of the poetry that children like and is marketable.
This useful book may be available in your local public library, and it is also available from several online sources
and in many bookstores.
Review by Carole Conner Davis
included in a ninth grade English curriculum.
I personally used her book as a guide to try my hand at some poetic forms I had never tried before, and found
it most helpful. With beautiful, humorous illustrations, it is a cute read for the young. It is also a learning tool
for the older set. If it seems elementary, keep in mind that authors who have been successful at writing
children’s poetry, first had to read and gain an understanding of the poetry that children like and is marketable.
This useful book may be available in your local public library, and it is also available from several online sources
and in many bookstores.
Review by Carole Conner Davis
In teaching poetry, it is a bonus to have materials in which students can see
both examples of a poetic form and “how to” directions on the same page, but
that are also easy enough for the student to understand and emulate without
becoming overwhelmed. At an elementary school book fair, I found a terrific
book that explains a variety of poetic forms in a simple manner, and gives
author examples of these forms, including terms one might need in the writing
process.
As a former English teacher, I found Judy Young’s book R Is for Rhyme: A Poetry
Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Press, 2006) particularly useful in teaching poetic forms
to different age groups. For instance, her narrative poem entitled “Reading
Homer,” might be a fun prelude to Homer’s The Odyssey, which is often
both examples of a poetic form and “how to” directions on the same page, but
that are also easy enough for the student to understand and emulate without
becoming overwhelmed. At an elementary school book fair, I found a terrific
book that explains a variety of poetic forms in a simple manner, and gives
author examples of these forms, including terms one might need in the writing
process.
As a former English teacher, I found Judy Young’s book R Is for Rhyme: A Poetry
Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Press, 2006) particularly useful in teaching poetic forms
to different age groups. For instance, her narrative poem entitled “Reading
Homer,” might be a fun prelude to Homer’s The Odyssey, which is often
Helen Frost's Novel-in-Poem Books
Keesha’s House (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2003)
Young Adult
Sestinas and sonnets
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-review-keeshas-house.html
Spinning Through the Universe (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2004)
Ages 8 and up (story about 5th graders)
Sestina, tritina, sonnet (and crown of sonnets), villanelle, rondelet, terza rima, ottava rima, pantoum, tanka,
raccontino, haiku, blank verse, tercelle, kyrielle, bragi, quatern, balance, scallop, acrostic (and alphabet
acrostic), prose poem, and nonce
http://milissasbookshelf.blogspot.com/2007/10/book-review-of-spinning-through.html
The Braid (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2006)
Young Adult
Narrative poems with invented braiding
http://fusenumber8.blogspot.com/2006/06/review-of-48-hour-book-challenge-braid.html
Diamond Willow (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2008)
Ages 8 - 14
Diamond-shaped free-verse poems
http://richiespicks.com/users/stories/picks/diamond_willow.html
Review by Diane Marbach
Keesha’s House (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2003)
Young Adult
Sestinas and sonnets
http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-review-keeshas-house.html
Spinning Through the Universe (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2004)
Ages 8 and up (story about 5th graders)
Sestina, tritina, sonnet (and crown of sonnets), villanelle, rondelet, terza rima, ottava rima, pantoum, tanka,
raccontino, haiku, blank verse, tercelle, kyrielle, bragi, quatern, balance, scallop, acrostic (and alphabet
acrostic), prose poem, and nonce
http://milissasbookshelf.blogspot.com/2007/10/book-review-of-spinning-through.html
The Braid (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2006)
Young Adult
Narrative poems with invented braiding
http://fusenumber8.blogspot.com/2006/06/review-of-48-hour-book-challenge-braid.html
Diamond Willow (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2008)
Ages 8 - 14
Diamond-shaped free-verse poems
http://richiespicks.com/users/stories/picks/diamond_willow.html
Review by Diane Marbach
Teachers will find the books of Helen Frost a wonderful resource for literature
and poetic form lessons. Frost, a former teacher herself, has written several novels
in her style of using traditional and invented poetic forms to hold contemporary
voices, and she is working on more novels and other children’s books. Frost’s
themes are often especially relevant to at-risk students, but all students will find
them captivating.
Following is the recommended-age and poetic form information on four of her
books, and a link to a teacher’s or librarian’s review of each book. Some of Frost’s
books have a Teacher’s Guide or a Poetry Worksheet available. Your public library
should have Frost’s books, and they are widely available from online sources and in
many bookstores.
and poetic form lessons. Frost, a former teacher herself, has written several novels
in her style of using traditional and invented poetic forms to hold contemporary
voices, and she is working on more novels and other children’s books. Frost’s
themes are often especially relevant to at-risk students, but all students will find
them captivating.
Following is the recommended-age and poetic form information on four of her
books, and a link to a teacher’s or librarian’s review of each book. Some of Frost’s
books have a Teacher’s Guide or a Poetry Worksheet available. Your public library
should have Frost’s books, and they are widely available from online sources and in
many bookstores.
Reviews
Poetry, the final frontier. These are the book reviews of the Trellis Magazine website. Our continuing mission:
to seek out new poetic forms and new information, to boldly go where no reviewer has gone before.
We aim to include reviews of books and other media about poetic form, poems in poetic form, the teaching of
poetry or other related subjects. You are invited to send us ideas or a review of material that fits this criteria at
submit@trellismagazine.com or through our Contact Us page.
Poetry, the final frontier. These are the book reviews of the Trellis Magazine website. Our continuing mission:
to seek out new poetic forms and new information, to boldly go where no reviewer has gone before.
We aim to include reviews of books and other media about poetic form, poems in poetic form, the teaching of
poetry or other related subjects. You are invited to send us ideas or a review of material that fits this criteria at
submit@trellismagazine.com or through our Contact Us page.