A Crow Doesn't Need A Shadow: A Guide to Writing Poetry from Nature [Illustrated] (Paperback)

~ (Author), Diane Boardman (Illustrator) "Can you remember a summer day when you were lying on your back in cool grass, watching clouds float overhead?..." (more)
Key Phrases: Jack London

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

5 1/2 X 8 1/2 In, 128 Pp, Pencil < Drawings Throughout, Includes Anthology < of Children's Poetry, Ages 7 To 12 < People Love To Express Themselves < Through Poetry By Can't Always Find A < Way To Voice Their Feelings and < Experiences. Practical and Explorative < In Tone, This Wonderful Resource Offers < Natural Methods To Connect Landscape and < Language--To Make Words Truly Convey < Emotions. This Is A Book That Makes < Writing Nature Poetry Not Only Possible < But Natural.

From the Inside Flap

Contents Open the Door: An Invitation to Readers Poetry Field Trips Wildflowers Weather Birds and Other Animals Building a Nature Wordscape Keeping a Nature Journal Other Explorations Wandering, Noticing, and Writing Finding a Companion in Nature Creating a Landscape Become Your Surroundings Colors in the Natural World Dreaming Up a Place Nature in Your Hand Rhythms in the World and in Words Growing a Poem Naturally Anthology A Note to Educators Acknowledgments

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith; 1st edition (March 19, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879056002
• ISBN-13: 978-0879056001
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #593,519 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Integration of the Outer and Inner Landscape, October 22, 2006

By	Rebecca Johnson "SeasonedwithLove.com" (Washington State) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"Being lazy in the meadow.
it is like placing my head
on a pillow of wind, rivers,
and dreams." ~Ben Burns, Age 8

Writing poetry can be an intensely personal and satisfying experience and while many poets draw on an inner well of experience, this book addresses the poems we write that are inspired by nature. Lorraine Ferra has divided this book up into wonderful chapters that are easy to read and are beautifully illustrated by Diane Boardman.

The chapters include:

Poetry Field Trips
Building a Nature Wordscape
Keeping a nature Journal
Wandering, Noticing, and Writing
Finding a Companion in Nature
Creating a Landscape
Becoming Your Surroundings
Colors in the Natural World
Dreaming Up a Place
Nature in Your Hand
Rhythms in the World and in Words
Growing a Poem Naturally

The chapter on Dreaming up a Place sounded familiar to me since I'm always wishing to revisit places I've been or imagining new ones I'd love to visit if they existed. Lorraine Ferra then asks questions about a sample poem to encourage an understanding and then gives suggestions for writing a poem about your own imaginary world.

"Find a favorite spot outside and sit quietly for a while. A tree would be good to dream in, or you could lie on our back and wonder about the cloud shapes and colors drifting high above you. Wherever you choose to be, allow what is actually there- sounds, smells, tastes, textures, sights - to carry you to an imaginary place." ~ pg. 88

Poems that appear in this book include titles like: In a Snowy Field, Walking in Winter, Thunder, Dandelion, Storm, Shadows, Bees, Inside the Woods, Autumn and A Story in the Snow. What makes these poems so interesting is that they are written by children and you can see the world through a different perspective.

NIGHT

Night swallows the sunlight
and devours the day
It lingers across the plains
cradling the moon and stars
in its hands.

~Richie Browder, Age 8

Lately I realized you could be as inspired by a DVD from Australia as being outdoors in Australia. When reading this book you may want to also expand your world knowledge by viewing nature footage from a variety of countries. I found that this book and watching shows about nature and foreign landscapes enhanced the experience.

A Crow Doesn't Need a Shadow is perfect for teachers or for parents to give to their children. Even adults will enjoy seeing the world in a new way as you integrate the inner and outer landscapes to create magical thoughts.

~The Rebecca Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for poets of any age., July 4, 2007

By	Bluephurba - See all my reviews

I bought this small book years ago, in the bookstore of a museum. I was impressed with it and bought copies for my children - and my old parents. It's one of those perfect books, transcending it's own aims. It can help anyone - not just children - see more and write better. And for kids, it's an inspiration and a lot of fun. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't inspire, August 7, 2006

By	Harriet M Welsch (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews

Well, darn. This book reads like a supplemental text for a poetry-writing unit. It will help a child fulfill a classroom requirement, but that's about it. You've got a kid writing poetry, but not reading it to anyone else -- there's no sense of audience at all. It's merely poetry as self-expression, rather than poetry as communication with another person. The child poetry used as examples is all free verse and isn't something you'd want to read for itself. And there's no mention that a body of poetry exists and might be worth reading for inspiration or even the pure joy of masters at work. In this book, there are only children doing assignments. The little line drawings are sweet though, and more interaction between words and pictures would have been helpful. Unfortunately, this book didn't make me want to write poetry, read poetry, OR go out into nature.