POETRY GENRE REVIEW-"THE LLAMA WHO HAD NO PAJAMA"

Bibliography

Hoberman-Ann, Mary. 1998.  The Llama Who Had No Pajama. Ill by Betty Fraser.  Sandpiper.  ISBN 978-0152055714

Plot Summary

This book is a collection of a variety of poems from all topics that has a high level interest for younger children.  It's a great way to introduce poetry to any young child.  This book is very engaging and creative with the language.  Some of the poems in this book are meant for discussion with children, some are to evoke imagery, and some are just for plan fun.  A poem that I could relate to in this book is, "The Birthday Bus" (9).

Critical Analysis        

This poetry book could be used for both general anthology or a topical anthology, because it has 100 poems there are a lot to choose from.  The poems vary in complexity so it's easy to pick a poem that's a perfect read for a child-some poems are super easy while others are more challenging.  The poems vary in length from long to short and majority of the poems written rhyme which is key to early reading development.  There are simple pictures that add to the meaning of the poem.  The pictures are not too distracting from the poem-they are very light and very playful.

Reviews Excerpts/Awards/Honors         

School Library Journal-  "Hoberman's rhythm' are lively and agile...Good for beginning or experienced readers of poetry, this should indeed become a favorite."

Publisher's Weekly- "This inventively illustrated collection brims with enough wordplay and silliness to please a room full of young wordsmith's."

Winner of the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children

A National Parenting Publications Gold Award Winner

A Book Sense Book of the Year Finalist

Connections

• Memorize a poem and recite it.
• Use it as a form of Reader's Theatre.
• Use some of the poems and turn them into songs and sing them.