Poem-Mobiles Book Review by J. Patrick Lewis and Douglas Florian


Written by J. Patrick Lewis and Douglas Florian

Illustrated by Jeremy Holmes

Published by Schwartz & Wade Books in 2014

ISBN- 978-1984894472

Plot Summary: This is a book of poems that have to do with whatever comes to the author's mind about what cars could be like and all the functions that they have. From the giant bookmobile that makes sure that everyone has lots to read to the 23rd century motors that run on cow power this book has a wide variety of automobiles that comes from the two author's imagination. Each of the pages is a new car with abilities and characteristics that take on the form of whatever object the author thinks up and the poetry is full of verses that you can read and then go on an adventure in your imagination. 

Analysis: The author knows how to captivate the reader's attention through his very well written verses. He uses a rhyme scheme on some of the poetry and goes free verse on others. It was very interesting as I flipped through the pages wondering what the author would think up next. The illustrations in this book are incredible and do a great job of captivating the reader's attention as well as bringing out the humor and lightheartedness that this book does a good job of portraying. The balloon car is a highlight as the author and illustrator change the story from portrait to landscape on both pages so that the reader can get a sense of just how many balloons would be necessary for the car to work. This book is a delight for those who aren't so interested in poetry but do enjoy using their imagination and looking at wonderful illustrations.  

Reviews: 

Kirkus Book Review

Limitless possibilities for future car designs are imagined in a collection of free-wheeling verses. Everything from food items to animals to bathtubs and more are the inspirations for these strange vehicles. A paper car can be shredded if it breaks down, a bathtub car keeps you clean as you go, and a hot-dog car can be eaten at the end of the ride. A few of the verses refer either explicitly or obliquely to alternative fuels. There’s a battery-powered “Eel-ectric Car” and unused fossil-fueled wrecks in “Jurassic Park(ing),” and in “23rd-Century Motors,” oil and gas are totally passé. With a few exceptions the verses flow naturally with easy rhymes. Oddly, the first four lines of the introductory poem are awkward and not indicative of the mood and swing of the following lines and the remainder of the poems. But Lewis and Florian are both masters at creating lighthearted, fun-filled, breezy poems, and they do not disappoint in this joint venture. The text is placed as if on a stained and folded slip of paper, which is surrounded by Holmes’ highly imaginative, bright and lively illustrations, rendered in pencil and watercolors with digital colors added. Endpapers are tire-tracked, and the contents page matches line drawings to the titles. Young readers will almost certainly be inspired to create their own wacky cars. (Picture book/poetry. 6-9)

Connections: Have students create their own Poem mobile and have them bring it to life either through an illustration or having the students create their own models. They could write a poem that goes with it or partner up with someone as the author and the other person could be the illustrator/modeler. 

More Books by J. Patrick Lewis

If You Were a Chocolate Mustache ISBN 978-1590789278

Once Upon a Tomb ISBN 978-0763618377

The Navajo Code Talkers ISBN 978-1568462950

  1. 978-15684629

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