A Poem in Your Pocket (Mr. Tiffin's Classroom Series)

by Margaret McNamara, G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)

Overview

Usher in National Poetry Month with Mr. Tiffin and his students, stars of the hugely popular How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? and The Apple Orchard Riddle.

Once again, Margaret McNamara sets her playful, child-friendly story in the classroom, and this time, poetry—from metaphors to acrostics to haiku—is the name of the game. The focus here is on Elinor, whose confidence falters as she tries to write something "perfect" for Poem in Your Pocket Day and impress a visiting poet. G. Brian Karas's accessible, adorable illustrations add to the fun.

Includes a list of Mr. Tiffin's tips for celebrating Poem in Your Pocket Day.

"A nimble introduction to poetry as well as a sensitive look at the perils of perfectionism." —The New York Times

"Pair this book with the works of Shel Silverstein, Paul B. Janeczko, Jack Prelutsky, Douglas Florian, or Robert Louis Stevenson." —School Library Journal, Starred

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780307979476
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	01/27/2015
Series:	Mr. Tiffin's Classroom Series
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD530L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

MARGARET McNAMARA is the author of two other titles about Mr. Tiffin's class: The Apple Orchard Riddle, promised to "spark fruitful curriculum discussion" by School Library Journal, and How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?, called "illuminating" by Family Fun magazine. She is also the author of The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot and George Washington's Birthday. Ms. McNamara lives in New York City.
 
G. BRIAN KARAS is the prolific, versatile, and award-winning illustrator of many books for children, including How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? and The Apple Orchard Riddle. He also illustrated Neville by Norton Juster; Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming, which received four starred reviews; Are You Going to Be Good? by Cari Best, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; Home on the Bayou, recipient of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award; and Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming. Visit him at GBrianKaras.com.

Editorial Reviews

11/17/2014
Last seen in The Apple Orchard Riddle, Mr. Tiffin and his class are back to celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day, which includes the chance to recite their poetry in an assembly starring a poet named Emmy Crane. Almost everyone embraces his or her muse, practicing figures of speech (“Math is like a knot” observes one student) and forms that range from haiku to concrete and light verse. But quiet Elinor can’t find her poetry groove, and when the big day arrives, she admits, “I have nothing in my pocket. Nothing at all.” Emmy Crane proves as empathic and effective a teacher as Mr. Tiffin, and Elinor finds her unexpectedly eloquent voice on stage. If the story occasionally strains credulity in its idealized portrait of contemporary school dynamics, its emotional foundation is sound, and teachers will find this an excellent road map for poetry-related activities. The amiable pictures and calm, compassionate narration should persuade even the most timorous readers that they, too, can have a poet’s eyes. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Illustrator’s agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

"Gentle and subtle, this sensitive story teaches a lot about poetry, perfectionism, and the power of a teacher and a poet."
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 “…a great book to share during National Poetry Month… this title shines a light on a subject worthy of discussion.”
—School Library Journal, starred review

From the Publisher

★ 12/01/2014
Gr 1–3—Elinor is a perfectionist. She loves school and takes her assignments very seriously. For Poetry Month, Mr. Tiffin teaches his class about different kinds of poetry, similes, and metaphors. Anticipating an upcoming author visit by a real poet, students are asked to write a poem and put it in their pocket. Elinor plans to wear her jeans with many pockets so she can have one in every pocket, but her obsession with perfection impedes her creativity. On the day of the visit, the child has not created anything that she considers good enough to share. When the guest asks her to read her poem, Elinor reveals that she "has a poem in the pocket of her mind." When she recites it, her words flow beautifully. This is a great book to share during National Poetry Month. Brief explanations are given for the more common poetry forms and the idea of a "Poem in Your Pocket Day" is inspiring. Pair this book with the works of Shel Silverstein, Paul B. Janeczko, Jack Prelutsky, Douglas Florian, or Robert Louis Stevenson, among others, to make a persuasive unit on the delights of the genre. Colorful illustrations of a busy classroom filled with enthusiastic students and a determined child keep the subject light and humorous. This title shines a light on a subject worthy of discussion.—Mary Hazelton, formerly at Warren & Waldoboro Elementary Schools, ME

School Library Journal

★ 2014-10-22
Mr. Tiffin is back, just in time for National Poetry Month at school. The third in what's becoming a series about life in Mr. Tiffin's class (The Apple Orchard Riddle, 2013, etc.) celebrates both a poet's school visit and Poem in Your Pocket Day. By the time poet Emmy Crane visits, the children have learned all about metaphor, simile, concrete poetry, haiku and acrostic verse, as well as using a "poet's eye." Almost all the children are excited and ready for the big day, heads full of words and pockets full of poems. Elinor, who is thought to be the best poet in the class, has struggled with an epic case of writer's block and arrives at school with no poem at all. As each child shares a poem with the famous poet, Elinor's misery grows until she finally speaks with the kind writer. Karas' gouache, acrylic and pencil illustrations sensitively extend the story, showing both the enthusiasm in the classroom and Elinor's frustration in trying to compose the perfect poem. Sprinkling circular spot illustrations with double-page spreads of the friendly classroom, Karas shows each child joyfully looking, creating, sharing and writing. Gray and yellow are used to reflect Elinor's moods. Gentle and subtle, this sensitive story teaches a lot about poetry, perfectionism, and the power of a teacher and a poet. (Picture book. 4-10)

Kirkus Reviews