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The Butterfly Jar
Jeff Moss, one of the original creators of the award-winning Sesame Street, in collaboration with illustrator Chris Demarest, has created this "offering of upbeat poetry that includes the serious and the silly." -- Booklist .
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1989
2 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Moss
51 books4 followersJeff Moss was a head writer and composer-lyricist on Sesame Street. Some of his best-known songs from the show include "Rubber Duckie," "I Love Trash," "The People in Your Neighborhood," "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon," and "Nasty Dan." In addition to songwriting, Moss helped create Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, and Guy Smiley.
Moss won 15 Emmys for his work and wrote the songs for four Grammy Award-winning records. When released as a single in 1970, "Rubber Duckie" sold more than a million copies. Moss' songs were known internationally as well; Claude François' recording of "Nasty Dan" went to #1 on the pop chart in France.
He also composed the songs and score for The Muppets Take Manhattan, for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Music, Original Song Score. The Oscar went to Prince for Purple Rain.
Moss won 15 Emmys for his work and wrote the songs for four Grammy Award-winning records. When released as a single in 1970, "Rubber Duckie" sold more than a million copies. Moss' songs were known internationally as well; Claude François' recording of "Nasty Dan" went to #1 on the pop chart in France.
He also composed the songs and score for The Muppets Take Manhattan, for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Music, Original Song Score. The Oscar went to Prince for Purple Rain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 23, 2024
Silly and fun to read
July 22, 2016
This is my favorite book of Children's poetry. My favorite poems are "Hi, How Are You Today?" and "The Cuddlies" both of which I memorized as a child. An overall great book.
December 22, 2014
An endearingly silly-smart-funny book that I simply loved. One of the best books I've ever received as a gift. An instant cheerer-upper! I'm sure kids would love it too.
October 17, 2017
The Butterfly Jar was humorous, fun, interesting and full of classic poems for children. Each page is filled with variety about different topics of all types such as food, family, animals, daily life routines, sports and transportation. One of my favorite poems was a tower filled plate of cauliflower and the poem said, "Punishment- Eating cauliflower for an hour." I am a science major so I also enjoyed The Midterm Science Test "Wake me up at seven am sharp! Be sure to do your best! Tomorrow is the morning of the Midterm Science Test! I must have time to wash and eat and time for getting dressed Or I'll be......Dirty, starved, and naked for the Midterm Science Test." This book is good for any ages and would even be enjoyable for adults.
Genre: Poetry
Age Level: 3rd-6th
Genre: Poetry
Age Level: 3rd-6th
November 26, 2018
Similar in style (both in verse and in drawings), Jeff Moss's Butterfly Jar complications captures the imagination and draws readers in. With poems about school, to Captain Hand, to Grandma's kisses, readers will find something in Moss's poems which resonate with them. These could be fun to read aloud and have kids act out, like in a reader's theatre. Hand this to a kid who could use some laughs and silliness.
December 2, 2020
Awards: N/A
Grade Level(s): 3rd-5th
Summary: This book contains many whimsical and enchanting different poems.
Review: This book is very easy to read through and has many different types of poems.
In-class uses: This book would be great to use to introduce poems to students and to use as an example for a poetry assignment that they would complete. This book can help with literacy development by introducing students to how poems should be written.
Grade Level(s): 3rd-5th
Summary: This book contains many whimsical and enchanting different poems.
Review: This book is very easy to read through and has many different types of poems.
In-class uses: This book would be great to use to introduce poems to students and to use as an example for a poetry assignment that they would complete. This book can help with literacy development by introducing students to how poems should be written.
June 2, 2021
Cute poem book
February 12, 2018
A book of poetry that is silly and fun to read. My favourite poem is Grandma's Kisses. The writer has good imagine.
March 20, 2013
Summary: The Butterfly Jar is wonderful book of poems by Jeff Moss. This book has many different types of poems that are not quite related to each other. The first poem starts with The Butterfly Jar and then other poems such as Purple, Sword Swallowing and The Banana King. The book shares poems for children to simply enjoy. They are funny, cute and full of imagination.
Response: I truly enjoyed the poems in this book. They are full of wonderful different silly topics that are simply fun to read. My favorite poem was Weddings because I found it to be very different and interesting especially for children. I didn't expect this book to have a poem about weddings. The poem starts with "If you go to a wedding, here's what it means." When I was reading the poem it described a standard process that happens at every wedding. I felt as if it was coming from a child's perspective, it seemed like a straight forward routine. In reality weddings have much more emotion, love and stress. In the end it says "Then the whole thing is over." "Weddings are nice" (pg. 63). I thought that was so funny because everything happens and then it's all done when there is so much more to weddings, not just the standard procedures that happen at all weddings.
I gave this book three stars because I enjoyed the poems but I think it would be more enjoyable if there were more colorful illustrations. Some poems were very long and some were very short which I liked. It shows the different types of poems that there can be. The cover of the book was also not very attractive. How a book looks inside and out is important because I believe that helps students be more engaged in it.
Classroom Connections: This book can be used to teach students how to learn rhyming words, writing poems and making them their own. I found a great website which gives ideas how to help students get started with poems which is http://www.poetry4kids.com/blog/lesso.... I would start a lesson with poems by teaching students words that rhyme. Next I would introduce The Butterfly Jar to my students from which I would read out loud to the class some of the different poems. I would discuss the poems with my students. I would ask them to tell me what rhyming words they noticed and which poem did they like the best. The website explains how to help students choose topics for their poems. The important thing is to give them time to think in school and outside of school. Teachers should always help students by suggesting topics as well. The website also recommended having students practice writing their own poems because the more students will practice the better they will become at writing poems.
I think poetry books can be best used for students to learn what poetry is, what do the poems mean and how to write them.
Text Complexity: Scholastic.com doesn't provide information on the grade level equivalence, the lexile measure and guided reading. It does mention that the interest level is for grades 3-5. Although I believe this book is appropriate for grades 1 and up. There should be different lesson plans with some variations depending on the grade level. Poetry books can be enjoyed by all students.
Response: I truly enjoyed the poems in this book. They are full of wonderful different silly topics that are simply fun to read. My favorite poem was Weddings because I found it to be very different and interesting especially for children. I didn't expect this book to have a poem about weddings. The poem starts with "If you go to a wedding, here's what it means." When I was reading the poem it described a standard process that happens at every wedding. I felt as if it was coming from a child's perspective, it seemed like a straight forward routine. In reality weddings have much more emotion, love and stress. In the end it says "Then the whole thing is over." "Weddings are nice" (pg. 63). I thought that was so funny because everything happens and then it's all done when there is so much more to weddings, not just the standard procedures that happen at all weddings.
I gave this book three stars because I enjoyed the poems but I think it would be more enjoyable if there were more colorful illustrations. Some poems were very long and some were very short which I liked. It shows the different types of poems that there can be. The cover of the book was also not very attractive. How a book looks inside and out is important because I believe that helps students be more engaged in it.
Classroom Connections: This book can be used to teach students how to learn rhyming words, writing poems and making them their own. I found a great website which gives ideas how to help students get started with poems which is http://www.poetry4kids.com/blog/lesso.... I would start a lesson with poems by teaching students words that rhyme. Next I would introduce The Butterfly Jar to my students from which I would read out loud to the class some of the different poems. I would discuss the poems with my students. I would ask them to tell me what rhyming words they noticed and which poem did they like the best. The website explains how to help students choose topics for their poems. The important thing is to give them time to think in school and outside of school. Teachers should always help students by suggesting topics as well. The website also recommended having students practice writing their own poems because the more students will practice the better they will become at writing poems.
I think poetry books can be best used for students to learn what poetry is, what do the poems mean and how to write them.
Text Complexity: Scholastic.com doesn't provide information on the grade level equivalence, the lexile measure and guided reading. It does mention that the interest level is for grades 3-5. Although I believe this book is appropriate for grades 1 and up. There should be different lesson plans with some variations depending on the grade level. Poetry books can be enjoyed by all students.
February 18, 2013
Summary: The Butterfly Jar is another silly but yet seriuos collection of poems by Jeff Moss. Butterfly Jar offers a variety poems that range from different types of events, people, objects, and experiences. Moss uses the collections to decribe childhood adventures and misadventures capturing the humor of children. The illustrations are cartoon like but complement each verse form page to page.
Response: Reading these poetry books are changing my views about poetry. I have always known poetry to be romantic or sad, but after reading My Dog Ate My Homework and Butterfly Jars I know there is more of a variety. These books are a great and fun way to introduce poetry to students . I beleive that with this upbeat poetry book, Jeff Moss really hit the humor of children. I read this book to my neice and I found that the poems were as much fun for me to read as they were for her. Our favorite poem is If The Moon Were MadeOf Cheese. It goes like this...If the moon weremade of cheese, I would reach into th sky for a late night snacking sandwhich of ham and mon on rye. I really liked this poetry book because I saw the way my neice was ale to connect with it. .
Classroom Connection: Butterfly Jars is a great book to introduce poetry to young readers. Because Butterfly Jar includes a variety of poems with a variety of moods and topics, it would be great to use in a English Language Arts Lesson about poetry. The students can use the book as an example to write thir own poem. Butterfly Jars shows a reader that poems don't always haveto be seriuos or romantic like I use to beleive
Text Complexity. The Interest level for this book is grade 3 and the GR level is not listed. I feel that this book is great for a read a loud with grades 1-2, but for independent reading by 3rd grade.
Response: Reading these poetry books are changing my views about poetry. I have always known poetry to be romantic or sad, but after reading My Dog Ate My Homework and Butterfly Jars I know there is more of a variety. These books are a great and fun way to introduce poetry to students . I beleive that with this upbeat poetry book, Jeff Moss really hit the humor of children. I read this book to my neice and I found that the poems were as much fun for me to read as they were for her. Our favorite poem is If The Moon Were MadeOf Cheese. It goes like this...If the moon weremade of cheese, I would reach into th sky for a late night snacking sandwhich of ham and mon on rye. I really liked this poetry book because I saw the way my neice was ale to connect with it. .
Classroom Connection: Butterfly Jars is a great book to introduce poetry to young readers. Because Butterfly Jar includes a variety of poems with a variety of moods and topics, it would be great to use in a English Language Arts Lesson about poetry. The students can use the book as an example to write thir own poem. Butterfly Jars shows a reader that poems don't always haveto be seriuos or romantic like I use to beleive
Text Complexity. The Interest level for this book is grade 3 and the GR level is not listed. I feel that this book is great for a read a loud with grades 1-2, but for independent reading by 3rd grade.
March 4, 2013
The Butterfly Jar is a collaboration of poems that are both humorous and playful to both adults and children. Jeff Moss does an outstanding job of writing these poems from a child's perspective just as he did with the classic childrens T.V. show Sesame Street. The poems are creative, silly, and great for anyone to read at any age. The cartoons that go along with each poem are simple yet have a humorous side as well.
My response: I really enjoyed reading this book of poems. I am not really a big fan of poetry but children's poetry is definitely an exception. My favorite poem was "If I find a penny". I think adults will also find this book humorous just as much as children will. Definitely brings out the child in everyone! I think some of the poems contain a message for children to understand which is perfect how Moss portrays it in his silly ways.
Classroom Connection: This book can be used for a poetry lesson. Poetry Month is in April and would be great to incorporate it then. The teacher can give a couple of examples from the book or the book can be passed around and each student can read a poem. Students can then write their own poem about whatever that please and present to the class. I think writing poetry is a great way to brush up on verbs, adjectives, etc. The teacher can then hang everyone's work on a bulletin board.
According to scholastic.com, this book has an interest level of grades 3-5. I was unable to find the Lexile and Guided Reading levels. I think this book could be used for read aloud in 2nd or 3rd grade but could also be read independently in 3rd grade.
My response: I really enjoyed reading this book of poems. I am not really a big fan of poetry but children's poetry is definitely an exception. My favorite poem was "If I find a penny". I think adults will also find this book humorous just as much as children will. Definitely brings out the child in everyone! I think some of the poems contain a message for children to understand which is perfect how Moss portrays it in his silly ways.
Classroom Connection: This book can be used for a poetry lesson. Poetry Month is in April and would be great to incorporate it then. The teacher can give a couple of examples from the book or the book can be passed around and each student can read a poem. Students can then write their own poem about whatever that please and present to the class. I think writing poetry is a great way to brush up on verbs, adjectives, etc. The teacher can then hang everyone's work on a bulletin board.
According to scholastic.com, this book has an interest level of grades 3-5. I was unable to find the Lexile and Guided Reading levels. I think this book could be used for read aloud in 2nd or 3rd grade but could also be read independently in 3rd grade.
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November 3, 2013POETRY:
This book is a book of poems by one of the creators and head writers of Sesame Street. All the poems are funny, zany, and quirky in their own way. One of the poems titled "London Bridge" goes;
London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down,
London Bridge is falling down,
If a bridge in your town was falling down, Would you make up a cute little song about it?
I hope not.
My fair lady.
That just gives an example of the humor in the poetry that kids would enjoy.
I would recommend this book for children grades 2-6. The words are easy to read with minimal help and appeals to the type of humor of this age group.
This book is a book of poems by one of the creators and head writers of Sesame Street. All the poems are funny, zany, and quirky in their own way. One of the poems titled "London Bridge" goes;
London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down,
London Bridge is falling down,
If a bridge in your town was falling down, Would you make up a cute little song about it?
I hope not.
My fair lady.
That just gives an example of the humor in the poetry that kids would enjoy.
I would recommend this book for children grades 2-6. The words are easy to read with minimal help and appeals to the type of humor of this age group.
November 25, 2008
I absolutely adore this book! Jeff Moss, the man behind such Sesame Street classics like "Rubber Ducky", "The People in your Neighborhood" and "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon", has created a set of classic poems ranging from the silly and offbeat like hugging an octupus to the seriousness the death of parent. Each one touches children and adults as well in hilarious and touching ways. I highly recommend this for young and the young at heart.
April 24, 2009
I read the "Butterfly Jar" for my poety unit in my Kid Lit class. This book is filled with tons of poems about bugs, families, and toys. When I first got this book to read I thought that it was going to be full of stuff that would be kinda lame beacuse it was "children's poems." I actually laughed a lot while reading these poems. The book is full of peoms that are funny, cute, and friendly! I would recommended this book to children who like to read good poetry.
June 15, 2012
These are pretty typical poems for kids -- a bit quirky, funny, and serious mixed in together. The style and illustrations remind me of Shel Silverstein's, though of course no one can touch Shel's skills as a poet.
Reading illustrated poetry for children on a Kindle might not have been the best idea ever. I suspect that the ideas and poems might flow a bit better when they are presented in print.
Reading illustrated poetry for children on a Kindle might not have been the best idea ever. I suspect that the ideas and poems might flow a bit better when they are presented in print.
April 25, 2011
These poems are from a kids point of view. Example of one is how they see a wedding. The perception of a child is so much different then an adult. It is a funny book to read to an class. The poems are so true. I believe you could read a poem a day for a little light humor in your classroom.
October 5, 2008
This is such a cute book of poetry. Some of it is similar to Shel Silverstein, but for a younger audience. The author wrote lyrics for Sesame Street for several years. Some of those are included in this collection.
January 26, 2012
The Butterfly Jar wasn't too bad. It had some really good poems in it and other poems were not so great or actually very sad. But the good outweigh the bad in this book. They are very enjoyable and remind me bit of Shel Silverstien. All in all, not too bad!
February 18, 2008
I still have this book on my shelf!
February 28, 2008
This is one of my all time favorite poetry books. Jeff Moss has just a gentle way of seeing life. Kids will laugh out loud at the characters. Lots of life lessons in short little poems!
August 13, 2016
Exactly what I would expect from a Sesame Street composer...plus it has the words to I Don't Want to Live on the Moon (which I need to memorize so I can sing it to the boy).
April 28, 2014
Jeff Moss has written a book full of silly, funny, sad, and any and every other subject of poetry for children, illustrated by Chris Demarest.
July 18, 2014
Themes: humorous poetry, everyday experiences poetry
Activities: read-aloud, discuss the everyday situations, have students write a poem along the theme of a poem in the book
Activities: read-aloud, discuss the everyday situations, have students write a poem along the theme of a poem in the book
December 6, 2014
This book was my favorite book growing up. I loved poetry, and Jeff Moss writes SPLENDID poetry to make children happy! Highly recommended.
July 21, 2015
Absolutely loved this book. Reminds me of Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends!"
August 24, 2015
Some of the poems were funny, and some were serious, and the drawings by Chris Demarest were right on target; but I think that Silverstein and Prelutsky wrote better funny poems.
September 11, 2016
This book is my favorite set of poetry to fit a wide range of ages.
November 6, 2008
What a cute book of poetry. I loved it!
November 6, 2008
Lonesome Joan...
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October 9, 2009The Butterfly Jar by Jeff Moss (1989)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews