Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic

by Leslie Evans (Illustrator), Steven Schnur

A collection of poems describes spring, with its animals, green smells, and renewed outside activities and when read vertically, the first letters of the lines of text spell related words arranged alphabetically, from "April" to "zenith."

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 22, 1999

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although yes, a good many of Steven Schnur's presented acrostic poems do generally and descriptively portray and sometimes downright glorify springtime with much verbal beauty, grace and joyfulness, I still have to admit and honestly do very strongly indeed believe that Schnur making his Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic entirely alphabetical in scope and nature has been rather too ambitious and is as such and in my humble opinion equally a bit potentially confusing and problematic for the intended age group (for children from about the age of five to nine or so). Because yes and certainly, while the majority of Steven Schnur's verses do of course more than adequately, more than sufficiently describe and depict spring and the temperature and environmental changes it tends to bring, there are also and sadly more than a few presented acrostic examples in Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic where one really does in my humble opinion need to somewhat to even majorly stretch one's belief, imagination and belief. I mean, why should hopscotch, quintuplets and xing somehow be quintessentially representative of spring as a season, and well, there are sadly rather far far too many such scenarios to be encountered in Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic.

And therefore, for me personally, NOT having Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic be conceptualised as an alphabet book and thus bien sûr requiring a specific example for every single letter of the same, yes, this would certainly make Steven Schnur's acrostics (and the short poems associated with them) be much more enjoyable, readable and not so often making readers and/or listeners shake their heads and be wondering if Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic is truly mostly about springtime. Because having some of the book's acrostics feel more like Steven Schnur has included them simply for the sake of them starting with the required letter of the alphabet just does not render Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic into picture book on spring that says "wow" or that is totally a textual celebration of springtime, and indeed, even Leslie Evans' delightful and colourfully spring like accompanying artwork is to and for me able to render Steven Schnur's text(s) more all encompassingly verbally appealing for me, (so that fofor me, and in my opinion, the combination of acrostics and images for Spring: An Alphabet Acrostic is and will always be at best only a rather low three stars and as such also somewhat lyrically disappointing).

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suitable methodology for presenting information about a season
Poetic descriptions of a variety of vernal scenes
Reading it isn't as tedious as most poetic experiments
Interest is maintained due to the crisp direct writing
Not an abundance of wasted verse
Gaga ooh la la

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet acrostic poems evoke spring. Good readaloud for a beginning reader. Have the child read the word the acrostic is based on, and read the poem to the child. The illustrations are engaging.

[Steph Lovelady · Rating 4 out of 5]

After days of
Pouring
Rain, the last
Ice and snow finally
Leave the earth.

Beyond our
Upstairs window
Dead-looking branches
Suddenly spring to life

Cows, heavy with milk, loll
Among their newborns
Licking them as they
Feed.

Acrostics A-Z, all spring-themed and illustrated with cheerful, brightly colored linoleum cuts. A nice celebration of spring.

We played a game with this book in which one person reads a poem aloud and someone else tries to guess the acrostic without looking at the page. It's harder than it sounds if you're not sure where the line breaks are. Along the same lines, if you have new readers it could also be fun to have them practice reading the bolded vertical line after you read the horizontal ones. (In fact, it's possible I may have had this book out of the library when the kids were smaller and done this. I read the suggestion in another review and it sounded awfully familiar.)

[Sara Tiede · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this little series!! The way Schnur has used both the words for each acrostic, and the feeling they give that compliments each season, are a skillful blend of perfect, clear match, and beautiful emotional pairing. The nostalgic style of the illustration beautifully compliments the cyclical, repetitive nature of seasons. But the poems work so well as a cohesive whole in each book to give you the feel of the season. Spring gives us words as clear as BUDS, just a few pages before we read LADDER, and understand that spring is what brings Dad out to work on touching up the paint on the windows that has faded or chipped through the long winter. Each season I read just cements the beauty of this little series! I'll be done once summer comes, but just as the seasons come back, I may have to make these a yearly read!

[Kendra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had a lot of hopes when I got this book from the library. But the poems did not make since what so ever. I did use this book to talk about the Acrostic poetry with the kids. We talked about what other words the author could have used in the book for each letter. My kids were bored with this book and did not enjoy listening to it. This book is not made to read a loud and rather read by yourself. It was extremely hard to read a loud. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful and are worth looking at.

[Becca Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book with cute, simple illustrations. This would be great for a language course learning about acrostics or other poem styles. It would be an easy read-aloud or fun book for students to explore on their own time.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

All four seasons come in a book just as beautifully illustrated as this one. Acrostic poetry coupled with the alphabet makes a joyful way to start each season.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight! Each page contains an acrostic poem based on a word common in the Spring season. Inventive and fun!

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an alphabet acrostic poem book, and I appreciate the concept of that. Though, I did not understand some of the poems. Some of them didn’t make much sense to me. They are very simplistic as well as the illustrations. This novel is great for introducing acrostic poems in the classroom when discussing different forms/types of poetry. It also can be used in teaching in discussion of the seasons, as it focuses on Spring. Each page is a different scene of the season. It features various aspects of spring, the growing plants, the animals, the colors, nature, and some activities. There is a wholesomeness to this book that is heartwarming. It feels like it was created in appreciation of the season and simple poetry. When using this book in the classroom, it would be most appropriate for young grades such as 1st. This is when they are learning about seasons. In a lesson focusing on poetry, most likely 3rd grade.

[Christina Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

May is learning about Spring. Wood block style illustrations show various spring activities and happenings. A new way to bring the alphabet to life with acrostics and rhythm.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice job with the X. Illustrations are nice.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book! It has acrostic "poems." The illustrations are in bold colors. It would stay interesting, read more than once!

[Hailey Vittrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great resource for teaching a poetry unit in school. The poems are well-written and topic-based.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clever book of alphabet acrostic poetry. I think I'd use some of the poems, but it would probably be a bit too much reading the entire book. My favorites were:

Green leaves overhead, a
Rug of green underfoot,
And the air between
Sweet with the green
Smell of Spring.

Beyond our
Upstairs window
Dead-looking branches
Suddenly spring to life.

Egrets, ducks, and
Geese nest in the marsh
Grass, waiting for their
Shells to hatch.

[Kimba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy and I thought this was very pretty and sweet. I shall be making an acrostic of her name today, I think

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of acrostic poems relating to spring. One poem per page, total of 26 poems. Full page colorful illustrations depict the item or scene.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these acrostics for all the seasons, and my girls really enjoy the poetry as well. I'd like to own the whole set.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very clever.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer an alphabet acrostic book
by Steven Schunur
is a teaching acrostic, terms of summer, the alphabet.

[Adoria Kelley]

This book has 26 acrostic poems all about Spring. I would use this when covering characteristics of that particular season. For instance, if I was covering animals of spring, I might read the Frog acrostic poem.