The beat of the poetry allows for fluid reading-aloud. The subjects are dear to children's hearts and guaranteed to put a smile on their faces. The subtle puns provide entertainment even for adults. Adding to the verse are Tess Hannah's accompanying illustrations. They are simple, yet add so much to the visual impact of the poems.
Younger children who are learning how to read benefit from hearing and learning rhyming poetry. It's also a great exercise for older children who are improving upon their reading skills. The Endless String provides parents and teachers with another resource to use. Reading the book, I can also see teaching opportunities for meter and rhyme when teaching poetry, even in upper grades, such as high school. It may be more entertaining for teenagers to read, thus getting the lesson across in a stronger fashion.
I shared the poetry with a teenager and a kindergartener, both of whom greatly enjoyed the experience. The smiles on their faces as they heard the verses and looked at the pictures spoke volumes to me. Tom and Tess have a great thing going here, and I hope they continue their collaboration. I plan on using The Endless String in my classroom and tutoring sessions. I just wish it were in hardcover, as I believe it is going to get a lot of use over the next few years!
Buy The Endless String: Poems for Children (and the people who read to them)
Andrea Coventry is a book reviewer for Bookpleasures.com
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