July 12th, 2010

2005-Who Swallowed Harold?

Author: Susan Pearson

Illustrator: Davis Slonin

Publisher: Marshall Cavendish

ISBN: 0 7614 5193 5

What a wonderful engaging book of childrens poems! Just caught my attention instantly as it was being read as a read aloud in my literature masters class. Both the title and the illustration on the cover made me want to know who Harold was and what happened to him? His face on the cover tells it all! Both the author and illustrator have done a phenomenal job with the writing of the poems and matching the text to the illustrations. It really brings out the sense of humor and makes you chuckle with every read. This book needs to win the next Newbery and Caldecott awards!

This is a fun book with 18 poems in it portraying children and their pets. It is a great read aloud to introduce poetry to the little ones. Especially with the funny connotations it makes that children can definitely relate to. It begins with a poem about a little boy that builds every pet house imaginable but has no pet to fill any house with, continues with a guinea pig named Popcorn that has many poses and goes on to make you think twice about going back into the ocean, because if goldfish pee then just imagine what happens in the sea? Also you find out what happens to Harold! Why Gerrald the rabbit doesn't want to play and the mystery of a turtle in the toilet so "Please don't Flush!" Plus many more... All written with a rhyme, rhythm and a sense of humor.

Poetry can be used to motivate children into a fun way of literature along with reinforcing comprehension, critical thinking skills and enhancing vocabulary. It can also help children with fluency and to appreciate language in a different way. You can incorporate poetry into the classroom by having the children recite a poem to practice their oral speaking skills, you can incorporate cause and effect and have them predict what happens next? For example, have them draw and write or discuss what happens to the boy that swallowed Harold, or what happened to Harold? Have the children explain/discuss the main idea of a poem and then have them fill in a cloze (fill in the blank) part of the poem. Have them pick a favorite poem and have them try and conjure up/write their own along with a drawing. Great way to teach word families and introduce metaphors or similies.

Overall a fun way to learn literature, very captivating book, and a good read!