Free Verse
All the Small Poems and Fourteen More
By Valerie Worth and Illustrated by Natalie Babbitt
Bibliography
Worth, Valerie. 1994. All the Small Poems and Fourteen More. Ill. by Natalie Babbitt. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374302111
Book Review
Valerie Worth presents a light and delicate viewpoint of every day ordinary objects and brings life to each of these through a collection of ninety-nine brilliantly written poems. It is a collection of her greatest small poem masterpieces brought together for the sheer pleasure of experiencing the powerful aspects of Worth’s poetic genius. These thought provoking poems allow you to tap right into Worth’s most inner imagination. Although each poem is short in length and demeanor, the message is strong and completely clear, and long lasting to the mind. It leaves the reader with a calming and soothing effect that begs for more.
Natalie Babbitt’s carefully sketched illustrations add an equal charm to blend perfectly and evenly with each crafted poem. Babbitt’s illustrations not only draw in readers to the details of her clean sketches, but also to the tiniest details brought forth in Worth’s poetry. For instance, in her poem simply titled, “grass,” Worth presents new and fascinating aspects of grass in ways we have never thought previously. After reading this poem, readers will embrace the beauty and integrity of grass. Add to this, Babbitt’s beautifully sketched drawing of a small field mouse sitting in a grassy field. It is a masterfully written poem like this, which gently nudges those to be more in tune to nature and the world around us.
grass
Grass on the lawn
Says nothing:
Clipped, empty,
Quiet.
Grass in the fields
Whistles, slides,
Casts up a foam
Of seeds,
Tangles itself
With leaves: hides
Whole rustling schools
Of mice.
Extensions
After reading and experiencing the poem “grass,” take children on a nature walk and listen for these subtle sounds that are described by Worth. Chart the similarities and differences between grass found in a manicured lawn to grass flowing footloose and fancy free in a field. Children can act out these differences through full body movements. Encourage them to sketch an illustration similar to Babbitt’s and write a poem of their very own describing this pleasant experience.
Enjoy other books of poetry by Valerie Worth:
Animal Poems - ISBN 9780374380571
At Christmastime - ISBN 9780062050199
Peacock and Other Poems - ISBN 9780374357665
Image Source: Barnes & Noble