Florian, whose previous poetry collections have celebrated such varied topics as dinosaurs (Dinothesaurus, 2009), trees (Poetrees, 2010), and pirates (Shiver Me Timbers!, 2012), here turns his attention to relationships. Many of the 23 rhymes pay tribute to friendships (“I Like You,” “The Fabulous Five,” and “Friendship Is a Flower”), but a fair number also observe relationship difficulties (“You Lied to Me,” “Billy the Bully,” and “Moved”). Several are designed for two voices (“Old Friends,” “I’m Better,” and “Opposites”), and almost all evince Florian’s characteristic upbeat, humorous style. The artwork (colored pencil and crayon on manila paper) has a childlike feel, particularly in the backgrounds where crayon
The first thing a reader will notice about this poetry collection is the brightly colored drawings that fill every inch of every page. The child-like illustrations appear as if they are drawn with crayon and complement the 25 poems that explore all aspects of friendship. Elementary children are just beginning to learn how to relate to other people and to understand that sometimes friendships work and sometimes they don’t. The poems in this book explore these themes in a way that is easy for even young readers to understand. The topics include new friendships, those that are ending, bullies, and even imaginary friends. There are also two poems that are designed to be read aloud with a friend. The poetry in this collection will attract general readers and could be used in a guidance lesson on friendship as well. The verse topics would make good discussion starters to get children to explore and discuss their own friend making skills. Sandra Wiseman, NBCT School Library Media Specialist, Woodsdale Elementary School, Wheeling, West Virginia
October 2018 - School Library Connection
This collection of twenty-five poems teases out many of friendship’s fundamentals, as well as its more nuanced complexities. Along with jealousy, bullies, and new and imaginary friends, the punchy rhymes tackle topics such as betrayal, a friend moving away, and two friends growing apart. “We used to be friends. / We drifted away. / Will we get back together? / Well, maybe someday.” The coloredpencil and crayon illustrations on manila paper help keep the mood bright, but also appropriately imperfect and rough. While the poetry vacillates from serious to silly, the tone remains comforting and affirming throughout. A couple of the poems are written explicitly for two voices to read together, but many are well suited for self-reflection. Those exploring the verses will likely recognize aspects of their own friendship dynamics and may find needed humor and also some solace in their discoveries.
September/October - Horn Book Magazine
Florian, whose previous poetry collections have celebrated such varied topics as dinosaurs (Dinothesaurus, 2009), trees (Poetrees, 2010), and pirates (Shiver Me Timbers!, 2012), here turns his attention to relationships. Many of the 23 rhymes pay tribute to friendships (“I Like You,” “The Fabulous Five,” and “Friendship Is a Flower”), but a fair number also observe relationship difficulties (“You Lied to Me,” “Billy the Bully,” and “Moved”). Several are designed for two voices (“Old Friends,” “I’m Better,” and “Opposites”), and almost all evince Florian’s characteristic upbeat, humorous style. The artwork (colored pencil and crayon on manila paper) has a childlike feel, particularly in the backgrounds where crayon
Twenty-five poems treat the joys and challenges of friendship and the challenges and occasional joys of enmity. Poems address friendship across different languages (“How Do You Say ‘Friend’?”) and realities (“Imaginary Friend’), and animosity earned (“You Lied to Me”) and unjust (“Jealousy”). The scansion of the rhyming verse stumbles occasionally, and the sunny poems celebrating friendship are sometimes fairly flat; more interesting are the funny ones (“The Fabulous Five,” a basketball team that loses every game) or the verses treating complications (“We Used to Be Friends”) or even enmity (“Billy the Bully”), and the inclusion of a few poems for two voices provides additional utility. The full-bleed art in sunny colors is distinctively childlike both in its naïve draftsmanship and its vigorous streaky crayoning; while the effect is sometimes muddy, the art’s playfulness suits the tone of the frisky verses. Florian’s zoological poetry (Insectlopedia , BCCB 7/98, etc.) has more punch, but this could still be an entertaining romp for his fans or introduction for Florian newbies.
07/01/2018
2018-05-28
