MODULE 6: JANECZKO COLLECTION

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Janeczko, Paul B. 2005. A KICK IN THE HEAD: AN EVERYDAY GUIDE TO POETIC FORMS. ill. Chris Raschka. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763606626

2. BOOK REVIEW
This book of poems was selected by Paul Janeczko. The collection of poems in this book is unique because there are examples of several different types of poetry depicted. On the top corner of the page for each new type of poetry, is the name of the type of poem. Written under each new type of poetry at the bottom of the page is the definition for each particular type of poem. There are twenty-nine different forms of poetry showcased in this book.

Some examples of the kinds of poems the reader will encounter are quite popular and will most likely be recognized by children, such as the Haiku, Limerick, and Couplet. Other examples of the kinds of poems that are not as well known and will most likely be new to most readers, are forms of poetry such as the senryu, the clerihew, and the triolet. This book will improve the readers' knowledge of and vocabulary used to name several different forms of poetry. The poems in this book vary in subject matter from animals to Edgar Allen Poe, and will be sure to stimulate a variety of emotions as well as the imaginations of the readers.

The poems in this book are presented in unique and creative ways by the many different authors, including Janeczko himself. The illustrations by Chris Raschka are brightly painted with what looks like watercolors. Some of the illustrations are more concrete than others, although readers will know what each drawing depicts. Raschka provides a clue at the top of the page above the name of each new poetic form listed. An example of this is an illustration of a cloud with a question mark inside it above the poetry form of a riddle poem.

In the front of the book, there is a table of contents, listing the type of poem and page where it can be found. After this, there is an introduction by Janeczko, explaining why there are different rules for different forms of poetry. In the back of the book there are additional "Notes on the Forms", where Janeczko explains each form of poetry found in the book in greater detail.

3. SELECTED POEM
The poem I selected was in the form of a riddle poem. I chose this poem because it is an excellent example of one of the forms of poetry found in the book that children will enjoy. This poem does not have a title and the author is listed as Anonymous. This book could be used in many different ways since there are so many different forms of poetry found in it. The instructor could read the entire book of poems and then ask students which type of poem they would like to explore further. The instructor could then help the students memorize the rules for that particular type of poem or write the rules somewhere where students can refer to it as they write. An example of something students will most likely enjoy is the riddle poem. Students could then practice writing their own riddle poems.

The beginning of eternity

The end of time and space,

The beginning of every end,

The end of every place.


Answer: the letter "e"