Product Description

It was simply the worst
the most terrible day.
Nothing
but NOTHING
was going my way.

Ever have one of those days? The narrators of these fifteen poems have. They've had worm-in-the-apple days, friends-moving-away days, even forgetting-my-pants days!

If you've ever wondered whether anyone else knows what it's like to have a really bad day, this special collection of poignant -- and funny -- poems is for you.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #679282 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-01
• Released on: 2005-03-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5 - These 14short poems all depict little moments of being human. The disasters referred to in the subtitle range from big to small, from comic ("Hello apple!/Shiny red./CHOMP. CHOMP./Hello worm./Where's your head?") to sad (a child is shown holding a dead rabbit, a classroom pet: "His tall straight ears, his long quick feet/Trailed like falling velvet drapes."). Embarrassment, shame, fear, chagrin: all of these feelings are so common in childhood that a collection of poems about them seems natural. Erlbruch, a well-known German artist, creates pictures that show this range of emotions beautifully. At first glance, they are deceptively simple and spare. A closer look reveals that what seems to be a quietly colored drawing actually has the subtle variation in texture of a collage. Ample white space, simple backgrounds, and a font that looks both childlike and elegant all combine to enhance this lovely book. A winner from a prolific poet/editor/compiler and a talented illustrator. - Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
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About the Author
Lee Bennett Hopkins was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on April 13, 1938. As a child Mr. Hopkins read little other than comic books and movie magazines until a teacher inspired in him a love of the theater and of reading. He credits this teacher with his lifelong interest in education.

Mr. Hopkins began teaching sixth grade at a public school in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, in 1960. He enjoyed his job, and in his third year at Westmoreland School in Fair Lawn, he became the school's resource teacher, providing curricular support materials for the elementary school teachers. It was while serving in this position that Mr. Hopkins first used poetry to help children with reading problems.

In 1968 Mr. Hopkins became a curriculum and editorial specialist at Scholastic, Inc. His career as a writer soared. More than two dozen of his books were published during his eight-year tenure there. In 1976 Mr. Hopkins left his job at Scholastic in order to become a full-time writer and anthologist.

Mr. Hopkins is widely recognized as the nation's spokesperson for Children's Poetry. He has edited and written numerous books for children as well as several professional texts, including Pauses: Autobiographical Reflections of 101 Creators of Children's Books and Pass the Poetry, Please!, and his column, "Poetry Plus," is a regular feature in Creative Classroom magazine. Mr. Hopkins has been honored with the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion for "lasting contributions to Children's Literature."

Mr. Hopkins served on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) from 1975 to 1978; NCTE Commission on Literature (1982-1985); and NCTE Children's Literature Assembly (1984-1987); and he twice chaired the NCTE Poetry Award Committee. He is also the donor of both the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, presented by Penn State University, and the Lee Bennett Hopkins/International Reading Association Promising Poet Award.

The recipient of a Christopher Award and the University of Southern Mississippi's Medallion for "lasting contributions to childrens literature," Mr. Hopkins lives in Westchester County and Greenwich Village, New York.

Customer Reviews

Hasty haircuts and other kid-sized calamities

This review first appeared in the "Ephrata (PA) Review."

Calamities every child can identify with-a friend moving away, homesickness at camp, not catching the fly ball that gives the other team the game-are bemoaned in this compendium of 14 light-hearted poems, each by a different poet.

The caricature illustrations are Calvinesque-little kids with big expressions, often bewildered or discomfited, on their faces.

This is a good book for kids who delight in words and who can identify with those awkward and awful moments of life. ... May they be few and far between!