Oct 18, 2013

POETRY FRIDAY: Just in time for Halloween—My Review of AN EYEBALL IN MY GARDEN

Thank you to Cathy at Merely Day By Day for hosting Poetry Friday today!

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I normally don’t do official “reviews” on my blog, but this spooky, fun collection of children’s poems has captured my imagination and had me laughing all week!
AN EYEBALL IN MY GARDEN has over 40 creepy/funny/spine-tingling poems selected and edited by Jennifer Cole Judd and Laura Wynkoop, and illustrated by Johan Olander. After reading several of the titles on the contents page (“Zombie Kid Blues,” “Camp Creepy,” and “Igor Picks a Pet” are just a few), I had pretty high expectations. And the poems in this book exceeded them all!

I *love* to read collections of children’s poetry, and I appreciate and enjoy reading all kinds—humorous, narrative, educational, format-specific, etc. But it has been a very long time since I’ve picked up a book of poetry that kept me laughing and entertained and engaged so completely. (I wouldn’t say that I am a “critical” reader, but it is not often that I find a book that I get this excited about.) I am also not someone who is drawn to macabre or “dark” subjects, which is another reason I like this collection so much; it has a whole lot of funny mixed up with just the right amount of spooky, and the end result is just perfect for readers of all ages.

My son Ben was heralded with the title poem “An Eyeball in My Garden” while waiting to see the dentist on Wednesday morning, and on Halloween I am using the book to do a fun poetry activity with both of my boys’ fifth grade classes. I’ve carried it everywhere since I received it last week, so I really should send a big “thank you” to my sweet writer friend Leigh Attaway Wilcox for bringing this great book to my attention!
Here is a tiny teaser of one of my favorite poems from the book, "October 31st" by William Shakespeery: 
October 31st
By William Shakespeery
“I’ll grease my hair,” said Frankenstein,
“And comb a little curl.
Tonight I’m going trick-or-treating
As a flower girl.”
For the rest of the poem, you’re going to have to buy your own copy!☺
My next post will be on Tuesday, October 29th. Until then, I wish you all Happy Writing!

AN EYEBALL IN MY GARDEN is available in bookstores and at online retailers. Please check out the book’s funky, fabulous webpage at:   http://www.eyeballinmygarden.com/

16 comments:

  1. I'm so happy you all love it as much as we do! Such a fun book of poems. Great post, as always, too! Thanks for spreading the word and sharing it with your readers, Becky. We could all use some fun, spooky poems this time of year! Happy poetry reading to all. :-)

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  2. Love your enthusiasm for this book. You've definitely whetted my appetite. Will have to look for it!

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  3. I have this book and I LOVE it. It's brilliantly done and I'm not even saying that because I know the author--at least one of them. It truly is really cool.

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    1. That is awesome, Johnell! It is definitely a one-of-a-kind book!

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  4. This is a fabulous book and I'm not just saying that because it was written by members of my crit group, The Poet's Garage! :) Unfortunately, I joined the Garage after this book was written so was not able to participate in the spooky madness. So many great poems and great poets in this collection; not a clunker in the bunch! Highly recommended!

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    1. You are in great company, BJ! Maybe they will do another book one day??

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  5. Just in time for Halloween- and so kid-sensibility-friendly. If I saw an eyeball in my garden I'd be running away faster and farther than a cheetah.

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    1. I know! The illustration in the book that accompanies that particular poem is a bit unsettling. I didn't give the illustrator enough kudos in my post, but he is *brilliant*!

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  6. Becky,
    You have me wanting to get my hands on a copy of this book. Looks ghouling good fun.

    Cathy

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    1. It is definitely fun, Cathy! Thanks for stopping by! = )

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  7. It sounds really creeeeeepy! But, that's why it's so ghould, right? Thanks for sharing, Becky!

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  8. This book sounds like a hoot-- I'll be on the lookout. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  9. Sounds hilarious, that flower girl part! Children's poetry is a lot of fun (cue: Shel Silverstein). I really hope my library carries a copy of An Eyeball in My Garden. I know of a nine-year-old who'd love to read this!

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  10. This collection sounds like so much fun. Just the kind of thing I used to enjoy sharing with my kids when they were young and we homeschooled.

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