Toasting Marshmallows

Bibliographic Information
Toasting Marhsmallows; camping Poeks
by Kristine O'Cpnnell Georgs
Illustrated by: Kate Kiesler
Published: Clarion Books -- New York -- 2001
ISBN: 9780618045976
Dewey: 811
Interest Level: K-6
Classification: Nonfiction
Reading Level: 2.8

Plot summary

Ms. George has put together a collection of poems that describe the camping experience. She uses words to bring forth images of the adventures that one might have when camping. The illustrations from Ms. Kiesler are done in acrylic paintings to support the visual images that Ms. George is intending.

Critical Analysis

This is a wonderful collection of poems that evokes easy images for one who has camped and yet the poems are as visual for those wh have not been camping. The first poem about the putting up the tent sets the theme. Interesting that the tent is orange. This is different from my experiences where the tents were earth colors. In today's world the orange would be protection from hunters and warn that there are people present. The tent poem is a concrete poem and just by reading it one can see and hear the sounds associated with this process. "Shake, snap. Billow, whoof, settle. Tug. Pull Taut. Our tent is up!"
The ending poem, is about hiding the child's flannel shirt worn during this camping trip and how the child wants to preserve the special memories from this time. The book itself is almot novel like in that it begins with the putting up of the tent, is followed by a series of events and then ends with the hiding of the shirt. .
The picturs are idealic almost too idealic. They are pastel and serene which fits some of the poems. However, in several cases they seem to be about settings that are not in the poem. An example of this is the poem about the bait shop. The picture shows a bait shop that is organized and pristine, not typicaly of most bait shops in small towns near parks. The cabin and the truck illustrations are also not what one would expect. The cabin does not look as if it has yet fully returned to the woods and the truck looks as if it were abandoned only a short time ago.
The poem about the flashlightr is very effectively done using beams of light in which to format the words. The sleeping bag illustration brings a chuckle to the reader before you even read the delightful words that tell of a child wraped cocoon like in their sleeping bag.
Ms. George and Ms. Kiesler work well together for the most part in creating poems in different formats on pages with illustrations that capture the natural surroundings found on a camping trip. The moon poem done in the shape of a crescent moon is very subtle and at first glance not what the reader sees but when looking at the peom it supports the words in a very effective manner.

Review Excerpts

Kirkus Review (February 1, 2001). " The canging layout of each page gives a sense of suprise to the most ordinary of events."

Publishers Weekly (March 11, 2001). Tipping/ a slender/ silver ear/ Moon tries? to pretend / / she isn't/ listening/ to our secrets." Readers will definitely want S-mores."

School Library Journal ( July 1, 2001). "The poems are varied and inventive, replete with marvelous images and universal truths."

Connections

These poems are short and easy to read and can be used individually or taught as a whole to lay out a camping experience. After sharing and discussing them with children a teacher could easily transition to a writing lesson abut a memorable camping experience that the students have had. This would help support the TAKS writing activities done in the classroom.
The poems are easy to read and the length is good for use in fluency practices as the students enjoy the actual poems themselves. "Toasting Marshmallows the poem from the title is great for reading with prosody. The mood changes from the slow serious process the little girl follows when toasting her marshmallows to the hurried approach of her brother. This poem also lends itself to a comparison chart and teaching of that literacy element. The poem." Two Voices in a Tent at Night," is an excellent piece for partner reading.
The tent poem done in the shape of a tent could be used to introduce shape poems to students and can be a starting point for them to write one on their own using different shapes.
The mosquito poem uses letters to recreate mosquito sounds and the students will delight in repeating this poem and imitating the mosquito sounds This poem makes even the biting by a mosquito sound fun, " It's meeeeeeeeeeee! Mosqueeeeeeeeeeto! Is that you, dinner? Greeeeeeeeeetings!