Splish Splash [Hardcover]

Joan Bransfield Graham (Author), Steven M. Scott (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Presenting the many forms of water in concrete poems and graphic illustrations--including rain, snow, ocean waves, ice cubes, and tears--a clever book with bold illustrations plunges into the pleasures of poetry and the shapes of language.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Illustrated with bold graphics and gingham trimmings, 21 clever poems about water burble and dance across the pages of this vivid volume. Except for Graham's introductory poem (which explains that water "often spells surprises/ with its changing forms and sizes"), the entries are concrete poems, with the arrangement of the type reflecting the content of each verse. A work about the ocean, for example, is set in rippled lines to match the wave that "sneaks up to snatch my toes." A poem describing a "boil, boiling, bubbling pot" features white letters that spell "steam" rising above a black saucepan on a stove. A poem shaped like a cherry popsicle-"popsicle/ popsicle/ tickle/ tongue fun/ licksicle/ sticksicle/ please/ don't run"-ends with red letters spelling "sticky" substituting for the wooden stick. A delightful blend of visual and verbal fun. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A colorful collection of poems about water and the particular ways children may come in contact with it- from ocean waves; to rain, hail, and dew; to steam and ice. Bold, graphic artwork expands upon the concrete form of the poetry. "Popsicle," for instance, is in the shape of an icy treat being eaten by a smiling mouth. Blue-and-white letters form the vertical low to high lines of what looks like water coming from a "!Sprinkler!" "Steam" is represented by white letters rising from a black pot. Each poem is one or two pages long and in addition to being visual, cries to be read aloud. Graham uses alliteration to indicate a boiling pot-"boil, boiling, bubbling" as well as onomatopoeia in several entries, such as "Babbling Brook." An enjoyable introduction to poetry that will also be a boon to teachers taking a whole-language approach to science units. A fun and useful purchase.
Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (August 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395701287
• ISBN-13: 978-0395701287
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,801,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my 8 year old son thinks this is an excellent book, November 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Splish Splash (Hardcover)

my 8 year old son, who has encouraged and directed this review, thinks this is an excellent book because he loves water, is an avid swimmer and enjoys creative writing. he feels this book has given him a good introduction into modern poetry and has sparked his interest in other books of similar style or theme.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Images, August 23, 2001

By 

Kimberly Edsell "justkim76" (Avon, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Splish Splash (Hardcover)

Graham and Scott together have created a very eye-catching look at water in many of its forms. The concrete poems only add to the meaning. It is very well done.

This would be a perfect book to introduce concrete poetry in a classroom environment.

5.0 out of 5 stars love it, May 9, 2011

By 

jenny poole - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Splish Splash (Paperback)

i am a kindergarten teacher and my students are in love with the poems in this book. they are visually interesting, full of rhythm and rhyme, and engage them in favorite topics, like popsicles and snow. i highly recommend this to any teacher or parent!