A Meal of the Stars

Gr 2–5—This quiet, thoughtful collection shows that not all poetry is meant to be read in a straightforward manner. Delightful, almost cartoonlike watercolor and ink illustrations provide the backdrop for these vertical poems that contain no punctuation so it is initially unclear if they should be read up or down. Black-and-white renderings of realistic scenes are juxtaposed with scenes of dreamlike fantasy—flowers with faces, smiling moons, rocket ships, friendly giraffes—giving a glimpse into the imaginations of the young people depicted. The poems reflect the whimsy of childhood, where the mundane becomes grandiose, and offer observations on diverse subjects such as space, oceans, kite flying, and the magic of starlight. Children will enjoy figuring out how the poems should be read and might even be inspired to write an "up and down" verse of their own.—Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY