We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for providing a copy of this book for review.
African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways
by Avis Harley,
photographed by Deborah Noyes
40 pages, ages 9-12
Candlewick, 2009
Look closely at the large-size, full color photo of the lazy crocodile. Note his terrifying razor-sharp teeth and the sinister gleam in his eye. Can you adequately describe him in 25 words or less? Award-winning poet, Avis Harley, can. In her acrostic terse verse, “A Croc Acrostic,” she calls the great beast a “Cracker-jack attacker / Reptile-in-my-dream/ Old-mythmaker / Carnivore-supreme…” Notice the first 4 letters in these opening lines spell “Croc…” To describe 18 African animals, Avis uses the simple acrostic poetry form, the double acrostic (the first and last letters of each line make words), the cross acrostic (highlighted letters reveal a hidden diagonal word), and even the amazing multiple acrostic. Wow! Not only will you be captivated by the gorgeous wildlife photos, you’ll also be intrigued by the word puzzles cleverly hidden in each poem. Hitch a ride on this African safari and you’ll be introduced to the bat-eared fox, buffalo, bonobo, rhino, kudu, hornbill, elephant, stork, zebra, giraffe, ostrich, wildcat, lion, leopard, impala, and hippopotamus. The book concludes with a 2-page mini-poetry lesson that encourages readers to write acrostic poems of their own. “Nature Notes” contains additional fun facts about the featured creatures, and an endnote by the photographer offers a fascinating glimpse into her dedication and work behind the camera to capture these vibrant color photos. This splendid collaboration of animal facts, ingenious word-crafting, and stunning photography is sure to inspire animal lovers and poets alike.
—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer
Avis writes and illustrates at her desk in front of a large window which overlooks flower boxes and hummingbird feeders in British Columbia. Writing in longhand with lots of space to cross out and revise, she writes, rewrites and reads her work out loud before typing. Avis says the different stages are like a metamorphosis and enjoys the revision process. Her love of children's poetry grew out of her love of working with children when she taught her first class at age nineteen. She has been fascinated with language ever since. Her other nonfiction titles include The Monarch's Progress: Poems With Wings, Sea Stars: Saltwater Poems, and Fly with Poetry: An ABC of Poetry. –Bio by Laura Crawford.
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Check It Out blog.
