Stanza

by Jill Esbaum, Jack E. Davis (Illustrator)

There's a slobbery thug in town, and his name is Stanza. He bullies everybody. He eats chicken pot pie. And . . . he writes poetry. On the sly. At night. Because he’s extremely afraid his bully brothers will find out. But Stanza doesn't let that stop him from entering one of his poems into a jingle contest. Does he win? Well, what if he did . . . not?

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Fiction, Childrens, Dogs

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2009

About the author

Jill Esbaum is a full-time writer and author of I am Cow, Hear Me Moo!, I Hatched!, Stanza, and Tom’s Tweet, among many others. She lives on a farm with her husband and children in Dixon, IA.

Reviews

[Nancy Kotkin]

This story about a secret canine poet is appropriately, and skillfully, told in rhyme. An astute reader can deduce the secrets of the two brothers from their names and their t-shirts, but I doubt young children will pick up on the clues. I do wonder if Stanza’s changed image within the community, and no longer needing to hide his talent, causes any modifications to his delinquent behavior. Cartoony illustrations add to the humor.

[Logan Phillips]

I liked this book. I thought the cartoony art style made this book comedic, and the rhythm the author set for the book makes this book fun to read. I think this book is a class library book for sure. It doesn't have much of a lesson I feel a whole class needs but it does encourage students to work hard and to be proud of who they are. It encourages people to follow their dreams which I feel is an important message to have in a class.

[Aliza Werner]

This review is entirely biased...our new puppy is named POET!!! Maybe he’ll win a poetry contest one day?!

[wildct2003]

Didn’t care much for the characters or story.

[Emmaline MacBeath]

Stanza is a poetry loving dog. He writes his own poetry, but he hides it from his brothers because he is supposed to be a street tough just like them. He is sure they would make fun of him and make him miserable if he told. One day he enters a poetry contest. This lets the cat out of the bag and sure enough the brothers begin to make fun of him...until they see what the prize is that Stanza wins. They want a share, but Stanza will only share if they let him be the poet he wants to be and they let themselves be the artists they are meant to be. Their lives are never the same.

As a parent of two artistic boys, I can relate to this story. It is often hard being artistic when those around you have different expectations. This story has a good message about sticking to your art even in the worst circumstances.

This book has an added bonus. It teaches the terminology of poetry such as stanza and haiku.

The illustrations of Jack Davis are larger than life, colorful and interesting.

[Myrza]

Esbaum, J. (2009). Stanza. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books.

Describes a dog named Stanza who is worried that his brothers will find out about his magical talent to write poetry. Stanza hides his talent and joins his scoundrel brothers as they bully the entire city. One day Stanza sees a posting for a poetry competition and he secretly writes away and enters his poem. He awaits anxiously to find out that he wins 2nd place and his brothers tease him relentlessly, but the encouraging words from the city people and his later uncovered prize of Snappers give Stanza confidence and a new “bully-less” life. Stanza and Jack from “Love That Dog” are both reluctant to be discovered as poetic writers, but finally face their fears and claim their talent for all to know. The author had a clever way of presenting the issue of being bullied and facing your fears, a growing concern in schools today.

[Amanda]

I loved this one more than my son, but I think that's only because it was a little above his comprehension level. While I appreciated that there were several longer, more complicated words in the rhyming story, it probably made it harder for my 3 1/2 yr old to understand. His questions mostly revolved around why Stanza didn't win and why he was sad. The ending I think is very fitting and positive.

[Nancy Jo Lambert]

This is a really fun read that kids will really like. The rhyming text is playful and fun. The story is cute and kids will like the ending.

For very young children they probably won't get all the poetry terminology, but waht a great way to introduce poetry or get kids excited about poetry than by using this book to spark questions.

[Laura Pharis]

I think the illustrations in this book are wonderful. It's a great book to get students thinking about rhyming words when beginning to introduce poetry. You could also take this book to so many different avenues to pull lessons from. You can talk about how stanza should have let everyone know about his poetry from the beginning instead of following his brothers and being a bully.

[Molly]

A tough puppy has a secret when his brothers are asleep he secretly writes poetry. When he sees there is a contest he deciedes to enter. It is great about doing what you love even if it means you might get picked on. Ages 4+

[Kristen]

Stanza's a tough dog by day, sensitive poet by night. He doesn't want his brothers to discover his secret, but he "comes out" when a poetry contest is announced. Nice, non-typical ending, fun rhymes, good to share with my poets!

[Susie]

Read this during our book fair. The premise is cute, the illustrations are funny, and I think this could be used in several different ways. It is one of the nominees in the primary division of our Young Hoosier Awards.

[Leslie]

Read this with my K-1 students this week as part of our poetry unit. They loved Stanza and his love of poetry. Students then drew a self-portrait and wrote down things they loved and brainstormed some rhyming words for their own poems.

[Allison]

meh

Stanza is a rhyming dog who is made fun of by his brothers. Not really by cup of tea.

[Jan Blazanin]

Jill Esbaum's STANZA is a cleverly written and just-plain-fun take on being yourself. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Tina B]

"poetry writing, dogs, bullies, surprisingly good plot for the topic"

[Bridget R. Wilson]

Loved it! A poetry writing dog. If this doesn't encourage kids to write poetry, I don't know what will.

[Heather Kephart]

Masterful rhyming poetry!

[Jamie]

Cute way to get kids exciting about being writers! Also, a good poetry text that children could use to find rhyming words and learn poetry vocabulary.

[Elizabeth Finney]

Cute! Written in rhyme, about a dog who writes poetry.

[Whitney Rachel]

this is fantastic!

great for poetry lesson with wee ones. LOVED the rhythm. I would read this for ST

[Janice Best]

Loved this book. Looking forward to sharing it with my school age creative writing kids

[Lynne Marie]

Wonderful rhyme, good story, nice resolution and always engaging art from Jack E. Davis

[Ginny Tata-Phillips]

Very cute and about a hound dog poet who writes haiku - what's not to like?!?

[Beth]

Excellent rhyme! Fantastic use of vocabulary!! This is a favorite!

[Sarah Threlkeld]

Fun rhyming book about the power of poetry.