Shape Me a Rhyme: Nature's Forms in Poetry

by Jane Yolen, Jason Stemple (Photographer)

Combines poetry and photographs to illustrate shapes in nature.

Genres: Poetry, Nature, Environment, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Danielle Palmer]

DNF. Each poem is just a few words long, and all the poems are about shapes such as triangles, stars etc. Not what I was expecting.

[Ms. Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4th grader review
"I rated this book 5 stars because: I teaches kids to rhyme and that school is not boring. It also teachs younger kids shapes in a mor fun and peacful way. My favorite part was the star because I love the ocean and sky. I would recommend this book to: My aunt and friend. I would reccomend it to my caus she is a teacher and my friend cause sh likes poems. 3 words that best describe this book: Poetic, informitive, neat." NT

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gorgeous photographs pair beautifully with the sublime text to make for a feast for the eyes and ears.

[Kerrie Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book of poetry is perfect for teaching little ones about shapes, nature, and language. A great introduction to start a love of poetry.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the appeal of this classic. Older elementary students can appreciate nature, our youngest students see the shapes. Yolen rules!

[Jeimy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another forced collaboration between Yolen and her son.

[Oak]

A fun nature-based way to learn shapes. I want to use this in my TK class.

[Christine Turner]

Limited copies at hcpl

Writer Jane Yolen and photographer Jason Stemple continue their acclaimed series of poetry books in this collection focusing on shapes and forms found in nature. They uncover the beauty and variety of natural forms in twelve masterful poems and photographs. A circle? Look no farther than the sun. An oval? Eggs-actly inside a nest. A crescent? The moon provides an assortment to admire each month. Jane Yolen's well-crafted, elegant poems allow readers not only to look at shapes anew but to experience them on an emotional level. Jason Stemple's stunning photos unveil the symmetry of simple forms that are often overlooked.


Subject: Geometry in nature -- Juvenile poetry.
Nature -- Juvenile poetry
Shapes -- Juvenile poetry.
Children's poetry, American

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shape Me a Rhyme by Jane Yolen with photographs by her son, Jason Stemple, is the third in a poetry series. The other two books are Color Me a Rhyme and Count Me a Rhyme. I haven't read them but I plan to.

In the introduction Yolen explains it was the most difficult one to complete because nature's shapes aren't always as regular as one would want for teaching basic geometry. Nonetheless the photographs work well with the poetry to express different geometric ideas.

While I am a fan of Yolen's work, I have to admit that Stemple's luscious photography, especially the snail shell on the cover, was what roped me in. This book was one of those that I read once through and then went back through just for the photographs.

[Jodysegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely photos provide the backdrop and subject for a series of nature poems for younger children. Ranging from thoughtful to humorous, the interplay of Yolen’s poems with Stemple’s photographs will appeal to children and might even inspire them to create their own poetry! 3.5 stars!

SLJ: "There's much to consider in each image, and language-
arts teachers will relish this book's ability to jump-start student creativity. It should also appeal to readers who will appreciate its thoughtful approach to nature." (11/07)

Kirkus describes them as "beautifully designed" and "very enjoyable." (8/15/07)

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the photos in this book. He found all the pictures in nature and then Jane put them to ryhme. I liked the triangle.

To tell the truth,
The gator's tooth---
Triangular in shape--
Is dangerous
And dagger-ous
When that great mouth's agape.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The images in this book are beautiful! It is a book of short poems about the shapes you can find in nature. It would be a great story to read with a little one who had seen things in nature and could compare shapes to the shapes in this book.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Yolen collaborates with her photographer son, Jason Stemple, to create a beautiful concept book about shapes. Stemple's nature photographs are stunning and Yolen's poems are simple yet describe much.

[Austin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the poem, "Heart".

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

The nature photography is beautiful! This book would be enriching to read in the primary grades when studying shapes.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grades 2-5. Poetry Book. Short poems celebrate shapes found in nature.

[CSlibrary]

Circles, stars, coils, and waves are found in beautiful nature photographs. Poems enhance the shapes and draw you in to an enchanting world or rhymes and images.

Find it at Carlisle School 811 YOL

[~*mandy*~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poetry is fun, & the photography is beautiful! We'll be buying this one, & Yolen's other books also!

[Pam Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poems written for photographs of things found in nature. Clever to include synonyms for each of the shapes on the pages.