NCTE AWARD POETRY

DARK EMPEROR & OTHER POEMS OF THE NIGHT

Photo Retrieved from Amazon.com

A. Bibliography

Sidman, Joyce. DARK EMPEROR & OTHER POEMS OF THE NIGHT. Ill by Rick Allen. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010. ISBN 9780547152288

B. Review and Critical Analysis

The book is a collection of short poems written by award winning poet Joyce Sidman, and does not include the works of any other poets. Although each poem is written by the same author, each poem is unique as it beautifully describes each creature and organism of the night presented in the book. In Snail at Moonrise, Sidman uses rhyming and rhythm to describe the nightly activities of the nocturnal snail. The quiet snail’s movements and structure are described using sensory imagery.  Sidman uses a variety of styles in her poetry, and the styles complement the content of the book very well.

As the illustrations work together with the poetry, the poems sustain the interest of the reader throughout the book. The lyrical nature of the poems add a soothing touch as the creatures, insects, and plants are quietly featured in each poem. The creatures, such as the spider and cricket, connect the reader to the typical crawling animals wondering through the night. Sidman animates the eleven organisms and the moon as she incorporates science and poetry together for a creative blend of content and poetry. For each creature and the moon, the author includes an informational text feature for the reader’s reference. This component in the book is a valuable element, as it provides general information that may help the reader clarify his or her understanding of the poem. For example, young readers may have limited knowledge or interaction with animals such as the porcupine and the snail, and Sidman provides informational content for them throughout the book.

As the book cover and title suggest, the poems deliver on the mood of the book. The tone is nocturnal, while the poems shed light on the night life of nature. Since children tend to fear the night time and creatures of the night, this collection may spark a new appreciation and curiosity for these tranquil animals and plants.

Sidman provides a delicately colored table of contents for her collection of poems. Each poem is accompanied by lavish illustrations by Rick Allen, and they are presented on the opposite page of the poem. Allen allows a small illustration to creep onto the poem page, which blends the poetry and illustrations together nicely. The last pages of the book present a two page spread of the sun peeking out from the covers of the night, and the absence of the creatures of the night. Sidman also includes a Glossary, with each term in a bold type and delicate color tone. A nice feature of the book is a purple color on the front case, and a light orange color on the back case.  From cover to cover, the theme  of the book is maintained by all of the wonderful features of this book.

C. Highlighted Poem to Support Critical Analysis

I Am A Baby Porcupette

I am a baby porcupette.
My paws are small; my nose is wet.
And as I nurse against my mom,
we mew and coo a soft duet.

I am a baby porcupette.
I cannot climb up branches yet.
While Mom sleeps in the trees, I curl.
beneath a log until sun has set.

I am a baby porcupette.
I nibble in the nighttime wet:
a sprig of leaves, a tuft of grass,
in hidden spots I won’t forget.

I am a baby porcupette.
My fur is soft; my eyes are jet.
But I can deal with any threat:
I raise my quills and pirouette.

This poem would be a wonderful poem to incorporate for a Mother’s Day lesson to discuss mother and child relationships. The teacher could use the following discussion questions:

• How is the baby porcupette similar to a human child? 

• How is the baby porcupette’s feelings toward his mother similar to your feelings toward your mother? 

• What are differences between a human child and baby porcupette? 

• What animal reminds you of the relationship between you and your mother?

Any of the poems from the book could also be used as supplemental material for a science unit on animals.  During a unit of study on nocturnal and diurnal animals, poems could be presented during a poetry break throughout the unit.