A poetry collection enhanced by lavish collages and paintings places secret admirers, klutzes, friends, enemies, moms and dads, and dogs and cats as the objects of humorous and amorous valentines.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Not just the run-of-the-mill Valentine's Day sentiments find expression in 20 poems, styled as anonymous notes. Each epistle begins with a "Dear ---" salutation; Adoff (Slow Dance Heart Break Blues) fills in the blank with terms denoting school crushes ("Ms. Back Row," "New Boy"), family members ("Hard Working Dad," "Little Sis"), pets and fairy-tale figures ("Dear Prince:... We can chase those dragons together. Your Potential Princess"). Most of the letters show kindness, but some allow for mixed feelings: one spread, illustrated with mirror images of a teacher, includes notes to both "Mrs. Nicely" and her apparent alter-ego, "Mrs. McNasty." Replies seldom appear, although a smitten "Frosty the Snow Boy" receives a chilly rejection from "Your Not-Yet Friend: Icicle Eyes"). Desimini (My House; In a Circle Long Ago) contributes inventive, moody collages of found objects, handmade paper, fuzzy cloth, photos and paint. In these soft compositions, faces are often obscured or eyes averted; Desimini's artwork, like Adoff's poetry, suggests secrecy and shyness. The letter-writers here are alone with their feelings, and much of the pleasure of this volume arises from Adoff's and Desimini's abilities to evoke not only these everyday feelings but the more complicated sense of privacy and mystery they summon. All ages.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6. A packet of poems that exudes affection and humor. Imaginative collages ensure that each heartfelt message is artfully delivered.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love Letters by Arnold Adoff,
By Christine Brophy (Charlottesville, VA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Love Letters (Hardcover)
Endearing poems that express children's feelings of love, friendship and curiosity are gathered together in the form of letters in this unique and creative collection. The charismatic letters penned to teachers, classmates, family members and others such as the playground snow girl or "fill-in-your-own-name" delight and intrigue 4 to 8 year old readers. Adding a different twist to modern free verse, Adoff makes brilliant use of word and letter placement to emphasize and capture the statement each love letter makes. There is a poem to which every child can relate, whether it is the boy with a secret crush- "Dear Tall Girl At Front Table: I love you more than peanut butter cookies crumble. I love you more than yellow bees bumble. I also love you more than dark thunder clouds rumble." -or the admiring son- "Dear Hard Working Dad: Even when you snore on the couch, I am proud with a full heart for you." Each poem stands alone as a distinctive piece, and is accompanied by innovative artwork for which illustrator Desimini used sculptured models, collages, oil paintings, photographs and mixed-media computer graphics. A true-to-life model of grandmother's head accompanies a tribute to her homemade treats, and an original collage of common objects forms a self portrait that accompanies a letter to oneself. This collection would make a great addition to a Valentine's Day celebration as a read-aloud, and children will be drawn to its humor and lightheartedness while reading independently as well.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love Love Letters,
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This review is from: Love Letters (Hardcover)
I first found this book in the library of the school I teach in. I read it to my class on Valentine's Day and they loved it just as much as I did. I then had to purchase it for my own children. The illistrations are so creative and lovely and the poems are equally as creative. Such a great book.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Dear Ginger Belle: These Love Letters. These Love Poems Are For You For All The Day Of All The Years. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Dear Ginger Belle: These Love Letters. These Love Poems Are For You For All The Day Of All The Years. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 1
book:
6
books
cite this book:
See all 6 books citing this book
- Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver in Back Flap
- Pass the Poetry, Please! by Lee Bennett Hopkins on page 31, page 32, and Back Matter
- Choosing Books for Children: A Commonsense Guide by Betsy Hearne on page 22, page 135, and page 137
- Practice with Purpose: Literacy Work Stations for Grades 3-6 by Debbie Diller on page 118, and Back Matter
- How Is My Third Grader Doing in School? What to Expect and How to Help by Jennifer Richard Jacobson on page 108
- How Is My Fourth Grader Doing in School?: What to Expect and How to Help by Jennifer Richard Jacobson on page 104
See all 6 books citing this book
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