Social Studies Poetry

Lewis, J. Patrick. 2002. A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme. Ill. by Alison Jay. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN:  0-8037-2579-5.

Book Review:

J. Patrick Lewis, a former U.S Poet Laureate and winner of a number of poetry awards, delivers a factual, yet fanciful book of poems that would be a fun addition to social studies curriculum for upper elementary and early middle school classrooms. Using a variety of rhymes and poetic forms, including acrostic and concrete, Lewis addresses such topics as historic explorers, various land forms and natural phenomena, along with mnemonic devices for remembering the difference between stalactite, stalagmite, latitude and longitude. (“A stalactite drips down from the ceiling./A stalagmite grows up from the ground.”)  He also includes interesting facts about different geographic locations, all in rhyme – quite a feat!  He creates a fascination with our vast world, saying “Thousands of spaces are places to be/Discover the World of GE-OG-RA-PHY!”

Alison Jay’s oil painted illustrations, which are covered in a crackle-like shellac reminiscent of an old map, give the poems visual images adding texture and interest.  Tiny familiar figures, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, sailing ships, islands, boats, animals and elongated human figures are added to each poem, along with backgrounds reflecting different geographic locations.

A number of the poems contain historic references, such as the dates of the explorations of Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Marco Polo and Captain James Cook, who named the Sandwich Islands, but the book lacks bibliographic information which would give authenticity to the facts contained therein.  Adding a table of contents and page numbers would have been helpful in the book’s use for specific topics covered in classroom curriculum.

Lewis’ last poem, “Walk Lightly,” reminds us in blank verse to treasure the earth and benefit from its wisdom: “Learn from the Sea how to face harsh forces,/Let the River remind you that everything will pass”….. “Let the Town bring you togetherness,/Make the Earth your companion./Walk lightly on it, as other creatures do.”  Good advice for us all.

Sharing the Poetry:

A World of Wonders would be an informative addition to geography units covering a variety of topics.  The poems that help learn facts are especially insightful.  How much more fun is it to learn about famous explorers, the different oceans, and what distinguishes the Arctic from Antarctica, l a t i t u d e from longitude, and other facts using poems! 

Selected Poem:

Combining geography with science, Lewis explains the reasons why some of the seas are named by color in “Is the Yellow Sea Yellow,” producing a poem that has the power to last in one’s memory:

Is the Yellow Sea Yellow?

Is the Yellow Sea Yellow?

Is the Red Sea Red?

Is the Black Sea Black?

Is the Dead Sea Dead?

Yes, because there’s too much loess –

A fine, rich yellow silt.

Yes, because red seaweed

Is floating like a quilt.

No, the black comes from,

They say, dark, brooding storms.

Yes, it’s dead.  No fish, no plants,

Or any of life’s forms.

It’s no one’s fault….

Just too much salt!

References

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. n.d. A World of Wonders. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:4529/index.php/jbookdetail/jqbookdetail?page=1&pos=6&isbn=978-0-8037-2579-9 (Accessed March 24, 2014)