A Curious Collection of Cats

Author: Betsy Franco
Illustrator:   Michael Wetz
Publisher:  Tricycle Press
Publication Year:   2009
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee

Awards:   Lee Bennett Hopkins Award Honor book, ABC Best Book for Children, Horn Book starred review

Summary:  Thirty concrete poems about cats perfectly illustrated. While the poems are beautiful, the subjects are not romanticized, but described in a way that would be recognized by anyone who's lucky enough to be owned by a cat. ("A big, brown empty grocery bag is Sweetie's favorite thing. When he lunges out to grab our toes, Our Sweetie's menacing!") A must have for any animal lover!

Classroom Ideas: The poems contain rhyme, rhythm, and figurative language. They would be highly motivating for kids to write their own cat poetry (or any other animal for that matter). It would also be a fun cross-curricular activity for an art teacher & a writing teacher.

A Dazzling Display of Dogs

Author: Betsy Franco
Illustrator:   Michael Wertz
Publisher:  Tricycle Press
Publication Year:   2011
Location: Knox County Public Library- Halls

Awards:   School Library Journal starred review, Green Earth Book Award Winner, Indie Kids’ Next List, Printz Honor Title, Edgar Award Nominee

Summary:  A collection of concrete poetry about dogs. The illustrations and the poems are tightly connected and the dogs in the poems are perfectly described. ("Found at the Pound: She didn't bark or make a fuss. She wagged her tail and smiled at us. She trotted out, came straight to me, became a part of my family!") There are different forms, such as a cinquain, but the topic is always the focus. I can think of so many people that I want to run out and buy a copy for!

Classroom Ideas: The poems in the book have rhyme, rhythm, and figurative language in them. There are also examples of types of poetry as well. Concrete poems are such fun for kids to read and to write.