Words, Wit, and Wonder: Writing Your Own Poem (Writer's Toolbox)

Presents advice to help young readers compose their own poems, including twelve points on the use of rhythm, rhyme, alliteration, similes, metaphors, Onomatopoeia, and several poetic forms.

Part of the Writer’s Toolbox series, this primer provides aspiring poets with 12 fundamental “tools”—poetic elements and forms—for writing poetry. Skillful, concise explanations of the basic components of poetry and such forms as acrostic, concrete, and haiku are further illuminated using examples of works by authors such as Edward Lear, Elizabeth Madox Roberts, and Laura Purdie Salas. Loewen’s informal text and the accompanying poems are particularly adept at explaining the sometimes-difficult-to-grasp concepts of rhythm, rhyme, metaphor, and simile. Lyles’ bright, mixed-media illustrations add life to a subject that students often consider intimidating or stuffy. The book closes with a handy review section, writing activities, writers’ tips, a short bibliography, an index, a link to related Internet sources, and a glossary that unfortunately lacks pronunciations, which would have been especially helpful for such classic stumpers as cinquain, haiku, and onomatopoeia. Grades 2-4. --Kristen McKulski