FICTION

Fresh Delicious: Poems from the Farmers' Market

by Irene LATHAM
illus. by Mique Moriuchi. 40p. Boyds Mills/Wordsong. Mar. 2016. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781629791036.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—A collection of poetry that features a variety of foods found at the farmers market. The subject matter ranges from lettuce to wild honey and everything in between. While there are a few offerings that convey the excitement of a farmers market, many miss their mark and seem forced. Several examples, such as "Basil," seem more like short observations on a vegetable or fruit. Those with little understanding of poetic license are not likely to understand the author's intention and may find this work difficult to engage with. The bright, pleasant illustrations, which feature cut-paper animals, work well to enhance the atmosphere and convey the actions of the verse. A few child-friendly recipes are appended.
VERDICT An additional purchase only.
Reviewed by Ellen Norton, Naperville Public Library, Naperville, IL
Twenty-one poems about various fruits, vegetables, and other farmers' market items offer unconventional literary images, such as how potatoes are "crooked as a 'come here' finger," and how okra are "mouse-sized swords." The childlike perspectives of the poems are further upheld by simple, playful images rendered in acrylic and collage. Educators with school gardens may appreciate the book's cross-curriculum opportunities. Recipes are appended.
 , Feb 01, 2016

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