Module 6: Poetry Book Written by a Child, Children, or Teens

 

Take Off Your Brave : The World Through The Eyes of a Preschool Poet

Bibliography

Shamma-Sourgen, Nadim. (2021). Take off your brave: The world through the eyes of a preschool poet. Illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail. Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9781536223163

 

Summary

This is a collection of poetry written predominantly by a four-year-old boy named Nadim.  There are a few poems written by Nadim’s sister and his class included as well.  The book begins not with a table of contents, but an introduction from Nadim’s mom explaining how the book came about.  She also shares that she merely recorded what Nadim shared for the poems after being motivated by a poem he brought home from school that led to a family discussion about poetry.  Each poem is accompanied by bold and vibrant illustrations by award winning illustrator Yasmeen Ismail which brings the poems to life.  Each poem is arranged on either one or two pages depending on length and need for illustration space.

 

Analysis

This book is best suited for young elementary-aged children.  The vocabulary is from the mouth of a child who is four years old, so students in PK-2 will enjoy poetry on their level of understanding.  The mother explains in the introduction that they told Nadim that poetry doesn’t have to rhyme even though it sometimes does.  Due to this discussion the poet does not use rhyming in his poems but instead focuses on telling a story with feelings and emotions.  There are many different emotions represented in the poems and adults may even have differing emotions from children when reading the text.  For example, one poem entitled “Between Bathtime and Bedtime” is just a list of questions every parent understands is asked during that seemingly unending time.  This poem made me laugh, but a child may find it contemplative. 

I was not expecting to find many poetic elements in a book by a preschooler, however, one poem in particular uses sensory imagery by describing what “Being on a Train” feels like, sounds like, smells like, and looks like.  I imagine our young poet was on said train when reciting this poem because he uses some wonderful onomatopoeias in this poem (“chuka chuka shhhhh”).  He also uses a simile by saying “it’s like you’re on a giant bus.”  I found the inclusion of his incorrect preschool grammar a great way to keep the spirit of the book intact.  For example, he says, “How much types of leopards are there?” and “Flamingos loves someone”.  This consistency will keep readers wanting to know what Nadim will say next and will also inspire young readers/listeners to produce their own poetry.

 

Poem

Oh! My Best Things

Oh, owls!

Oh, playing with my sister, my whole family!

(Even if it’s the whole big one

It’s still my favorite.)

 

Watching William play football

                Outside the garden window.

Playing with Daddy.

The smell of baked things.

I love love.

I love my family extra much.

 

Oh, glitter, Legos, books!

Looking at wood lice and bugs,

Eating ice cream,

And snuggling

With you.

 

Activity

This collection of poems would be a great way to encourage young elementary-aged students to try their hand at writing poetry.  It could be used at even the kindergarten level by reading the highlighted poem above about all Nadim’s favorite things.  Teachers could read the poem out loud to students and then ask them all to think about their own favorite things.  The teacher could then interview each student and ask them for their favorite things and write them down for the students (like the author’s mother did).  The teacher could then type up the poems and allow the children to illustrate them.  It would be a great way to encourage reading/listening to poetry and to allow even the youngest students to share their thoughts and ideas.