Kids often insist that nothing is a poem unless it rhymes. The flip side of that belief is that anything that rhymes is a poem. Actually, there are plenty of adults who feel the same way.
I don't.
Debates about what poetry is, or isn't, have gone on for centuries. Poetry.org says this:
POETRY: literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.
I've seen amazing visual art that strikes me as poetic (including the illustrations for these featured books) as well as scenes in nature (crashing waves, starlit nights, crystalline fields of snow, murmurations of starlings, etc.) But, since this is a picture book blog, I'll focus on literary poetry here.
My questions of the day:
- If picture book text rhymes, does it mean it is poetry?
- Can picture book text be considered poetry if it doesn't rhyme?
My personal (arbitrary) guide in answering those two questions follows.
Poetry (picture book or otherwise) is:
written and/or spoken;
distinctly lyrical (style and rhythm);
focused on emotions or concepts;
presented in a concise, intentional form.
That first point suits picture book text perfectly: It is written AND intended to be spoken aloud.
Jumping to the final trait, picture book text is concise and presented in an intentional format.
Certainly anthologies, themed collections, and specialty forms (novels in verse, haiku, poems for two voices, etc.) are poems, too.
But what about the very familiar category of narrative picture books, in two types: rhymed and unrhymed?
For these, I focus on the two central traits above.
I'd argue that EVERY picture book should engage emotional or conceptual reactions. That isn't limited to tenderhearted reactions but includes humor or surprise or the simple satisfaction of a story well-told. When that is the case, picture book text meets three-out-four of my indicators of poetry.
The final condition comes down to that lyrical quality, which is by no means a trait of every picture book. Certainly personal taste comes into play, but there are qualities that can be noted and appreciated, too. I feel confident in asserting that the two examples below, both by the same author, are poetic text.
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| Harper, 2019 |
REMARKABLY YOU is written in rhyme by Pat Zietlow Miller with energizing, expressive illustrations by Patrice Barton.
"You might be bold,
You might be loud.
Leading parades. Drawing a crowd.
You might be timid.
You might be shy.
Quietly watching your neighbors go by."
...
"You are a blessing,
a promise, a prize.
You're capable, caring, courageous, and wise."
These passages exemplify the lyrical quality that distinguishes all of Miller's rhyming picture books: a rhythmic style that appears effortless yet reveals deeply thoughtful craft. It's rhymed text that invites read-aloud and read-along while providing structure and story to propel prediction and page turns. The excellent rhythm and rhyme provide auditory pacing, and the progression of underlying concepts and messages build to a gratifying conclusion.
These lines (and the entire text) serve well as examples for young readers eager to try their hands at writing rhymed stories. Writing in rhyme can be as challenging as it is fun. The trickiest aspect of lyrical text is achieving consistent meter (rhythm) that sounds natural, unforced. Miller's words are consistent in providing a sense of conversational speech, but are written with technically perfect meter that begs to be put to music.
Adults trying to write rhymed text for publication, especially picture books, would do well to type out the full text. In that format Miller's mastery of the craft is even more evident: the use of parallel structures and images (as in the first two stanzas above), and the minimalist but familiar scenes suggested. The third stanza above comes near the conclusion of the book. In it, the resolution of emotion, empowerment, and momentum are undeniable. Using second person voice can be a dangerous choice, but Miller's lilting language is inspiring rather than teaching or--to be avoided at all costs--preaching.
Is the text of this picture book poetry? I vote yes.
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| Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2019 |
WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE is written in unrhymed but undeniably lyrical text, enhanced by the lilting and emotionally expressive illustrations by Eliza Wheeler. This particularly brilliant author/illustrator pairing originated with one of MIller's earlier picture books, WHEREVER YOU GO (also by Little Brown BYR, 2015).
In that work Miller used rhymed text. (I reviewed it when it released, here.) I'm delighted to see their talents once again interacting so magically in WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE. (I urge you to read more about Wheeler's approach to the text and view a short trailer for the book over at Betsy Bird's FUSE 8 Production blog for School Library Journal, HERE. I guarantee you'll enjoy the insights and closer look at the art.)
Meanwhile, I'm excited to share just a few lines from Miller's unrhymed but LYRICAL text.
"Some days,
when everything around
you seems scary...
You have to be brave.
Brave as a bird that steps from its nest,
hoping to soar through the sky.
Brave as a dog that
wanders for miles,
searching for one
well-known light."
"At times like these, the world can seem...
Too big. Too loud. Too hard. Too much.
While you feel...
Too small.
Too quiet.
Too tired.
Not enough."
Unlike Miller's previous rhymed text, these lines read as free verse. The rhythm is established within the language itself. Replace each syllable with "la", then read it aloud. You'll find yourself reciting the text with a musical meter and flow. Miller magnifies that effect by using repetitive phrasing, figurative language, and metaphoric images.
If that analysis suggests the text is formal or stilted, I assure you it is not. Note the child-friendly images of fledging birds and lost dogs, both with inherent appeal and intense emotional connections. Wheeler's illustrations explore those intense emotions, cycling through memories of common fears (public speaking, first day of school, etc.) without overwhelming, but honoring the legitimacy of the worry and angst those memories recall.
Miller's theme (being brave) is artfully layered, emerging without even once using the word FEAR, providing scripted remedies, or calling on a character to have superpowers. In this narrative, she again uses second person/direct address, and again inspires rather than resorting to bossing or an "adult" tone. Readers are gently encouraged to recognize and draw on their inner resources to imagine, to remember, and to rely on themselves.
This book in particular reminds me of the quality of Robert Frost poems, using ordinary and familiar objects and experiences to explore deeper emotions and address significant human questions.
Is the text of this picture book poetry? Again, I vote YES.
So, whether honoring April's theme of poetry or reading picture books throughout the year, i encourage you (and kids you care about) to develop your own "rules" for what makes a poem a poem then apply that to the text. Kids eagerly enjoy rewriting lyrics to familiar songs, so consider using outstanding text such as these to model writing, too.
Keep in mind that these are my opinions and I welcome discussion and additional title recommendations in the comments. I could recommend many other picture book titles, rhymed and unrhymed, that deserve designation as poetry. Thanks to Pat Z. Miller for permission to quote lines from these picture books. I urge everyone to read the entire text, repeatedly.
Library editions of both titles were used for this review and post.
