 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night
- By Joyce Sidman
- Genre: Poetry
Common Sense Media says
Award-winning poetry book is both scientific and magical.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this poetry book about the plants and animals of the nocturnal world won a 2011 Newbery Honor from the American Library Association. Through verse, and a more scientific
description on an accompanying page, kids learn about animals such as the cricket and the bat
-- and also get information about mushrooms, trees, and the moon. An index at the end defines words
like "omnivorous" and "photosynthesis." Allen's striking linoleum cut prints work perfectly with the text as they somehow manage to be both scientific and magical. The verse probably works best when read aloud, especially for younger readers who may require some explanation along the way.
What's the story?
Through 12 rich poems, the author reveals the beauty and diversity of the nocturnal world, which includes descriptions of trees, mushrooms, crickets, bats, and more. Each poem is illustrated with a striking scene of the featured subject in its natural setting, and includes a scientific description that explains how owls hear, how raccoons deftly use their front paws, etc.
Is it any good?
This book seamlessly weaves poetry together with facts about nature, so that kids will find each element of the book to be inspiring and educational. The striking, detailed illustrations capture the text perfectly, also managing to be both magical and scientific-looking. Kids -- and parents -- will see the beauty in the nocturnal world that Sidman's presents here, and be awed by the brave, clever, and industrious plants and animals "who wake at dusk and throw off sleep."
Parents and teachers who share this book may want to present only a few pages at a time so that kids can really study the rich words and drawings of this award-winning book.
The striking linoleum cut prints work perfectly with the text as they somehow manage to be both scientific and magical. Kids will have fun spotting the Wandering Elf, who travels with readers through the pages, visiting the nocturnal world.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the mix of poetry and scientific description here. Which do you find more interesting? Which is most educational?
Many people find the night to be a scary time. Does this book -- either the words or the pictures -- make you think of nighttime any differently?
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| Author: | Joyce Sidman |
| Illustrator: | Rick Allen |
| Book type: | Non-Fiction |
| Genre: | Poetry |
| Publisher: | Houghton Mifflin Children's Books |
| Publication date: | September 1, 2010 |
| Number of pages: | 32 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 6 - 9 |
| Read aloud: | 6 |
| Read alone: | 9 |
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