A Kick in the Head, An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms (Janeczko Collection)

Janeczko, Paul B., ed. A Kick in the Head, An Everyday Guide to Poetic Form. Ill by Chris Raschka. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press, 2005. ISBN 978-0763641320

Janeczko has brought together a collection of lighthearted poems that will make children laugh as it educates its readers on a few of the forms of poetry.  An introduction by Janecko explains why some poets choose to follow the ‘rules’ and also suggests a ‘how to’ on reading the book. Twenty-nine forms of poetry are presented with a brief explanation and an upbeat example by various poets. Notes at the back of the book go into further explanation of common forms like the couplet, haiku, and acrostic, and less familiar forms such as the roundel and double dactyl.

Poems such as “Ode to Pable’s Tenis Shoes” by Gary Soto will have students laughing at the outlandish personification of shoes while “Back-to-School Blues” by Bobbi Katz will have students tapping their shoes to the poem’s strong rhythmic rhyme scheme. Raschka continues the feel good tone of the collection with his colorful, impressionistic illustrations. The mix of watercolor, ink, and torn paper provide a child-like playfulness to the collection, even as it adds educational value by giving hints to each poetic form. The collection will appeal to teachers and students alike with its clever mix of equal parts of schooling and fun!

The Cow’s Complaint
by Alice Schertle

How unkind to keep me here
When, over there, the grass is greener.
Tender blades- so far, so near-
How unkind to keep me here!
Through this fence they make me peer
As sweeter stems; what could be meaner?
How unkind to keep me here
When, over there, the grass is greener.

Try reading Schertle’s triolet poem, “The Cow’s Complaint”, as an accompaniment to Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion. Ask students if they were able to make any connections between the story and the poem. Then ask students if they have ever felt like the cow in “The Cow’s Complaint”. Allow students to share their experiences with jealousy and envy. Then provide students with this creative writing prompt and allow them write their own creative narrative.

There once was a child who was not very happy. Although the child had everything she/he needed, she/he wanted...

To extend this project allow students to create an artistic expression of envy similar to Raschka’s interpretation of the cow in A Kick in the Head. Students will draw/paint/paste a picture of a child on one side of a barrier (wall/fence/door/house) and what was desired in their story on the other side.