Reviews
Keep a Pocket in Your Poem: Classic Poems and Playful Parodies, by J. Patrick Lewis, Johanna Wright
crystalm17's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing was inherently wrong with this little book of poems and poem parodies but after reading all the great reviews I expected more.
scostner's review against another edition
3.0
In his introduction, J. Patrick Lewis tells us that, "Sometimes, when I read a wonderful poem, I want to write a parody of it. For me, this is the best way to pay tribute to someone else's work." So he has taken a baker's dozen of his favorite poems and written his own partner verses. The poems are displayed on opposing pages with the acrylic illustrations showing what they have in common, or where they differ. The title poem is obviously his tribute to "Keep a Poem in Your Pocket" by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers. Other poets get a cheekier treatment, such as his "Stopping by the Fridge on a Hungry Evening" parody of the Robert Frost classic. Hughes, Prelutsky, Dickinson, Tennyson, Housman, Sandburg, Stevenson, Issa, McCord, and Fyleman are the other poets honored to be included in this collection.
Poetry readers will enjoy the book for its own merits, but I can imagine teachers using it to encourage students to pen their own rhymes during a poetry unit. Sometimes it is easier to imitate than to face a blank page and come up with something entirely your own, from rhyme scheme to subject. It would also make a good title to have on hand when talking about comparison and contrast, with its built-in pairs of texts ready to go.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
Poetry readers will enjoy the book for its own merits, but I can imagine teachers using it to encourage students to pen their own rhymes during a poetry unit. Sometimes it is easier to imitate than to face a blank page and come up with something entirely your own, from rhyme scheme to subject. It would also make a good title to have on hand when talking about comparison and contrast, with its built-in pairs of texts ready to go.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
4.0
Just as the title says, so playful, love the changes of theme and focus he makes this would have great classroom applications.
bethmitcham's review
4.0
A collection of mostly well-known poems and then J. Patrick Lewis's version of them, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant. I liked seeing both the originals and the twists -- it is an encouraging way to engage with poetry.
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