Ode to a Commode: Concrete Poems

Poetry Adventures

by Brian P. Cleary, Andy Rowland (Illustrator)

Is that a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a poem! Concrete poems are shaped like their subjects. They can look like objects, animals, or even people. You won't find many straight lines here! Award-winning author Brian P. Cleary explains how concrete poems work―and uses them to create all sorts of wild wordplay. Ode to a Commode is packed with mind-bending poems to make you puzzle and ponder. And when you've finished reading, you can try your hand at writing your own concrete poems!

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2014

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Brian P. Cleary's books and I was excited to see this book in the school library where I volunteer.

This book, part of the Poetry Adventures series, explains the novel concept of concrete poems.

The poems are entertaining and are very relatable for children.

[Marilyn Maldonado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I recommend one-hundred percent. This is perfect for upper elementary as they continue to gain more writing skills to create their own narratives, this book can be used as a resource tool for having students write their own poems. The poems in this book are comedic and silly making poetry for exciting than anything and don't destroy a child's imagination when learning about poetry. It explains structures and the basic framework for poetry making this a perfect resource for teachers who are introducing poems. For children who struggle with writing this is a perfect take-home book for them to use as a tool instead of a worksheet that is poorly written.

[Rebecca Zaslavsky]

In this digital text, students first dive into the big question, "What is a concrete poem?" The author explains that if you are not the best rhymer, no problem! These poems are not meant to rhyme, rather take the shape of the subject in the poem! The author has included over 30 examples of concrete poems, all about topics young readers can relate to! I would recommend this text as a fun way to introduce poetry to readers, and use it for grades 1-4.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't really know what to expect with the title, but its actually a very humorous, engaging, beautiful, and even at times meaningful approach to poetry with topics that expand your the "commode." This is a valuable interdiscliplinary resource for an art and literature teachers, camp activities, etc. Highly recommended to make poetry more approachable.

[December Sirmans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that the poetry in this was funny and would be great for kids. Students tend to get bored when they learn about poetry so I think this could be a good book to get your students involved with it more.

[Beth Huddleston · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork does a good job with clearly forming the concrete poems into distinct shapes. Brian P. Cleary, of course, continues with fun and humorous poetry. This would be a good book to have in the classroom for poetry.

[December SIrmans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that the poetry in this was funny and would be great for kids. Students tend to get bored when they learn about poetry so I think this could be a good book to get your students involved with it more.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 2 out of 5]

The poetry was funny and light hearted. Page 13 is the best if you are a Broncos fan. Go BSU 💙🧡💙🧡

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever.

[Bridget Neace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun collection of concrete poems--enjoyed it just as much as "Wet Cement" from a few years ago!

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Text: 4 stars
Illustrations: 5 stars

Entertaining introduction to concrete poems. A brief explanation of concrete poems, which cleverly incorporates a concrete poem, followed by many examples. Kids will relate to the subject matter of the poems, many of which are humorous. Text is hand-lettered into the shapes of the various subjects of the poems, to great effect.

[Katie Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poetry: Collection of Poems
No Awards
K-3rd Grade
A. This book is a series of concrete poems. This means that the poems do not necessarily have rhyme or rhythm, but are written in the shape of the subject.
B. The author uses the words to illustrate the poem rather than having illustrations supporting the poetry. This is its own style of poetry.
C. Create your own concrete poem.

just one

s e
m l
i

[Rebecca Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleary, B. P. & Rowland, A. (2015). Ode to a commode: Concrete poems. Minneapolis: Millbrook Press
Summary: A silly and creative book filled with concrete poems. Ode to a Commode is filled with potty humor and goofy poems to get kids engaged and excited about concrete poems.
Activity: Use Ode to a Commode as your hook into a lesson on concrete poems. After reading some of the poems, hand out some pre-made outlines of items students will be familiar with (example: dog, cat, house, plane, tree, etc.). On the back of the paper, have students brainstorm short statements or words that describe the item. Explain to students that they should think about using their five senses when writing about the item. The poem does not have to rhyme, but can if the student wants it to. For older grades, more advanced students, or and extension to the lesson, have them think of their own item and create their own concrete poem.

[Jessica Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book Ode to a Commode: Concrete Poems by Brian P. Cleary. Is directed towards children 7 to 11. This is a poetry book. It received the Junior Library Guild Selection Award and the Utah Beehive Award.

This poems are in different shapes according to what the poem is about. I gave this book a 3 star.

I rated this book a 3 star because some of the poems were hard to read because of the shape that they were in. Some where shaped in the shapes of fish, snowman, snakes, lollipops, and Christmas trees. The words were different shapes and sizes which made it hard to read.

I like it is appealing to kids because of the colors and the way the poems where shaped. But I find it wouldn't be appealing to them because like I said some of the words were hard to read and it was hard to follow the ways that the words went.

[Crystal Ingram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ode To a Commode by Brian Cleary is a series of different poems using concrete poetry. The book has a veriaty of concrete poems taking shapes of many different things. There is lollipops, toliets, trees, fish, snowman, and so on. Since the book is concrete poetry, it was a really quick read. While reading the book, I really could not find a focus within this book. Yeah, some of the poems were funny, but I really did not enjoy this book. I do not really enjoy reading poetry, and the book not really having a plot made it really hard for me to finish the book. It never really made me feel like I could identify with any of the stories in the book. I could see this book being used in late elementary classrooms. Some students really enjoy poetry, and concrete poetry is one of the favorites, so this book could be used it introduce students to poetry.

[Leslie Rendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A goody and creative book with concrete poems about fishes,balloons,clocks, and so much more. Nothing is dull and I think it can keep a child engage because of all the shapes. There are some children that find poems books boring. I know I did. However this book makes it creative and fun to read!
I like that the author explains what a concrete poem is because young readers might not be informed on it. It is not too long to read and I think boys would certainly lean to opening this book because it has toilets and other entertaining illustrations. Boys usually tend to think poem is all about "love" or for girls so they do not want to read but I think this perfect for them!
Age:7-11
#Poems #Concrete #Silly

[Katelyn Dauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ode to a Commode: Concrete Poems by Brian Cleary is an awesome way to introduce poetry to a child. Not only are they great poems, but they are presented in a fun and exciting way. Each poem in this book takes on the shape of its subject. My personal favorite poem was about and in the shape of a mustache. Another unique aspect of this book is that because the poems take on different shapes, you can always read them by looking at them straight. You may have to turn the book upside down or twist your neck to be able to read it. Its never a boring poem.

[Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never knew that poems written in the shape of the things the are about had a special name, but that is what Concrete Poems are. This book is filled with poems shaped as trees, scissors and the like. Some rhyme and some are just descriptive words like the one about Fourth of July fireworks. A good visual representation of poems for children. I liked the ones where you have to guess what they are talking about.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, you’ll use Cleary’s explanation of how to write concrete poems as a great teaching tool, but make sure you read these fantastic poems with kids for sheer pleasure anytime. What kid wouldn’t giggle over a toilet poem you have to turn in circles to read as it flushes?

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concrete poems are a fun way to read what could be boring old poetry. Just fun to read. Why I can't give it 5 stars is because the poems are in the shape of a scissor, or glasses, it is sort of hard to follow sometimes...it is all fun and clever though!

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always loved concrete poems. This one has some definite fun shapes. A few good poems. Had no idea what order to read the fireworks one. And there were 1 or 2 that didn't quite flow for me. But overall, fun and a great way to teach kids this poetry concept.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the exception of the silly title, this is one of the very best children's poetry books I've ever seen! So ingenious and engaging to have the poems literally shaped into the poem's topic, making super illustrations!!! Love love love this!

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poems were funny and have kid appeal. But I found the shape of some of these concrete poems to be hard to read. Some of the fonts and size of the texts were difficult to read. Not sure how this would be as a read aloud in the classroom.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun poems, some are a little uneven and some are hard to read but they are engaging. Like the Fireworks poem the best.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and informational, I think the collection would engage young readers.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fun, fun! Poetry, plus artful arrangement of font and words? What's not to like about this clever concept?

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

32 page book of concrete poems. Nice collection!

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concrete poems are cool. They are all brilliant. I especially liked the Stop sign and Ode to a Commode

[Melodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read to teach kids about concrete poems. These are all very sweet, cute, and clever poems. Fun for the kiddos, for sure.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are fun poems that kids will really relate to. Makes poetry so accessible to young people and the illustrations, fonts, and colors all add to the text. Well done!