An Old Shell: Poems of the Galapagos (Hardcover)

by Tony Johnston (Author), Tom Pohrt (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this book of 34 poems, Johnston (The Magic Maguey) records her observations during a trip to the Gal pagos, which in a note she characterizes as a place "wild and vast and stark, looking out over the endless and shining skin of the sea." However striking some individual poems may be, the collection as a whole does not re-create the poet's awe. Sometimes Johnston's images are rich and evocative, as in the closing "Gal pagos": "Hold this place/ gently/ like an old shell./ Hold it/ to your ear./ Hear the song that sings/ insideA/ splash of fish/ flutter of finch/ rustle of salt/ wind/ lava hissing/ in wet sand/ and the echo of loneliness/ wild and wide." She sees with the eyes of an environmentalist who treasures each creature: a beetle is "one perfect polished pebble/ feeling its way along the rim/ of morning." Clouds "drift/ on their dark still wings./ Silver beaks/ of rain/ come softly pecking/ at the cliff." But the same phrases and subjects repeatAthings old, dark, cold, silver and soaring make regular appearancesAand there is little rhythm in the sequencing of the poems and little variety. Pohrt's (Coyote Goes Walking) spare, straightforward sepia illustrations seem like studies taken from a sailor's sketchbook, quick impressions of island life. His loose drawings offer an understated contrast to the lofty language about "the core of the mystery and poetry of Nature." Ages 7-up. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-In nearly three dozen poems, Johnston reflects on the animals, plants, and particular islands of this archipelago whose existence is threatened by encroaching humans. In rhyming couplets, blank verse, and haiku, she celebrates the birth of Fernandina Island, recounts the possible voyage of the rice rat to these far-off islands, and ponders moments germane to many animals. Some of the honored species-the lava cactus, Sally Lightfoot crab-are unique, or nearly so, to this habitation. Other creatures, such as plankton and sea lions, are known in many places. Pohrt's pen-and-wash drawings, sometimes full-page sketches facing a poem and other times small portraits, complement the quiet, thoughtful tone of the poetry. Appealing in its modesty, the book might find many uses in introducing children to this special habitat or in encouraging them to think about and write about animals.
Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (October 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374356483
• ISBN-13: 978-0374356484
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,197,434 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An exquisite little book, July 28, 2008

By	ST "Kids Librarian" (Bountiful, Utah) - See all my reviews

I'm going to the Galapagos in November and, as an elementary school librarian, I want to share the experience with my students. I purchased this book without knowing much about it and I really struck gold! Here's the poem about the Painted Locust:

To the hawk and the dove,
those who soar high above,
give the grand house of sky
and wind beneath.
But for me save a place
in the weeds. A small space.
I like it here close to the earth.

All the poems are short and the black and white illustrations are perfect. I think my favorite part of this book is that the poems are so out of the ordinary---did you ever read a poem about a Sally Lightfoot Crab? Or a description of becoming an island, born of lava? If you love natural history and poetry, you will LOVE this book!