Coombs, Kate. 2012. WATER SINGS BLUE: OCEAN
POEMS. Ill. by Meilo So. New York: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9780811872843
[Suggested Grade Levels K-3]
REVIEW
“For
the water sings blue and the sky does, too, and the sea lets you fly like a
gull.” Coombs’ brilliant use of imagery will transport readers to the shoreline
for a stroll down the beach. The author has combined various styles of poetry
to create twenty-three unique poems that range from sea gulls to sea urchins
and shipwrecks to seashores, so there is a little something for everyone.
When
reading about jellyfish, readers will find a humorous poem paired with works
written in a more traditional style all illustrated with Meilo So’s beautiful
watercolors. The sweeping colors mimic the sweeping motions of a jellyfish
floating along the tides of the language that help paint the broader picture.
The illustrations contain vivid colors and capture the movement and beauty of
the jellyfish.
In the
poem “Octopus Ink” So’s illustration changes the meaning of the poem from a
simple piece about a shy author to being a personification of a grand and
menacing sea creature, creating beauty where others would generally not look.
Meilo So’s stunning watercolor illustrations
are the perfect complement to this collection of ocean poems.
CONNECTIONS
Collect
seashells and sort them into like groups. Search the Internet for the names of
the shells.
Examine
sand from various beaches. Find out why the sand is different colors on
different beaches.
Listen
to relaxation music, sounds of the ocean, while reading this book.
RELATED BOOKS
Other books
about enjoying the ocean or beach:
Cooper,
Elisha. BEACH. ISBN 9780439687850
Gay,
Marie-Louise. STELLA: STAR OF THE SEA. ISBN 9780888993373
Ryan,
Pam Munoz. HELLO OCEAN. ISBN 9780881069877
By Jane
Jergensen
