MODULE 5: PERFORMANCE POETRY

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Harrison, David L. 2000. FARMER'S GARDEN: RHYMES FOR TWO VOICES. ill. Arden Johnson-Petrov. Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Wordsong Boyds Mills Press, Inc. ISBN 9781563977763

2. BOOK REVIEW
The poems in this book were written to be read aloud by two or more readers. Each poem rhymes in a natural way that is easy to read aloud. The poems in this book tell a story about a dog that talks to other animals and plants he meets in Farmer's garden. The dog asks each creature about his or her experience of being in the garden, which is the part to be read aloud for the first voice or group of voices. Each creature replies to the dog's question, telling him of their life in Farmer's garden, which is the part of the poem to be read aloud by the second voice or group of voices. Examples of some of the animals and plants the dog meets are a butterfly, mouse, bunny, strawberry, corn, and carrot.

The poems have a definite rhythm as each of them is written in a rhyming question, answer, question, answer form. The poems have an appealing sound when read aloud. The language in the poems will be understood by young children. Many of the creatures will most likely be familiar to most children. The poems are consistent in quality throughout the book. The tone of the book is lighthearted, humorous, and friendly. This will appeal to children of all ages. Most children will enjoy participating in reading the poem in pairs or small groups, each group taking the part of either the dog or the creature the dog is speaking to.

Johnson-Petrov's adorable illustrations will be enjoyed by young readers. The smiling faces of the corn, strawberries, and other plants makes the fact that they talk back to the dog (and that the dog is talking) believable. The pictures of the animals such as the mole digging a tunnel and the worm eating the dirt add amusing and interesting facts about these animals to the story that young children may not have known before.

3. SELECTED POEM
The poem I selected from this book is titled, "Worm." I chose this poem because it is an excellent example of a poem in this book that illustrates Harrison's sense of humor and also shows an example of the friendly conversations between the dog and the creatures that he meets in Farmer's garden. This book could be used with students to practice choral reading. The instructor could read the part of the dog, while the students could read the part of the animals and plants the dog meets in the garden. After reading, the students could each write a poem of their own for two voices, which continues the conversation between the dog and their ideas of who he will speak to next in Farmer's garden.

WORM

Worm, worm
What do you eat?

Delicious dirt
is such a treat!

Why do you wiggle
and squiggle and squirm?

It's ticklish business
being a worm.