Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes.
Sidman’s previous poetry collection, Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems, a joyous celebration of the seasonal life of a pond, won a Caldecott honor for Becky Prange’s stunning woodcut illustrations. Once again, Sidman uses a variety of poetic styles to explore the ecosystem of a meadow. Fascinated by interrelationships she saw in there, Sidman groups her poems in complimenting pairs, and, with visual clues from Krommes’ lush scratchboard illustrations, ends each poem with a riddle, inviting children to guess which flora or fauna the poem is about:
“ … PALESLIMYBELLYBLOWNUPLIKEABALLOON
stringy
legs
softwormtoes …”
What am I? (a toad)
From “Don’t I Look Delicious?”
The pages following each poem answer the riddle and provide basic information about the life represented in the poem. Like its predecessor, this book is a handsome blend of art, science, and poetry recommended for ages 5-9, but can be enjoyed by all.
Want more Sidman? Visit her website: http://www.joycesidman.com/
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