What's the Weather Inside?

March 9, 2009
Though both their titles invoke the weather, these poetry collections have atmospheres all their own.
What's the Weather Inside?
Karma Wilson
, illus. by Barry Blitt. S&S/McElderry
, $17.99 (176p) ISBN 978-1-4169-0092-4

“If you think poems are stupid/ and poetry's a bore,/ ... / and if you're sure this book's the same/ as all you've read before.../ I dare ya, yes, I dare ya: Turn the page.” Early on, Wilson (Bear Snores On
) throws down the gauntlet in her wide-ranging book of humorous, often edgy poetry, Silversteinian in its format and sensibility. Coupled with ink-drawn caricatures by Blitt (The 39 Apartments of Ludwig Van Beethoven
), the poems range from modern parables (“I'm telling you now that I'd rather eat cow/ than that goo that my aunt calls tofu./ Ew”) to more experimental verse. On one spread, a list of “lovely” words (“moonlight,/ butterfly,/ chamomile”) faces another with “ugly” words (“traitor,/ homicide,/ moron”). Blitt's artwork adeptly magnifies the tones that the poems strike: in “Golden Eggs,” a goose wearing a crown and “Bling” pendant stares at an empty cradle. “ rather have/ one
fluffy chick/ than a million
golden eggs.” The darker poems will not appeal to all, but from the silly to the unsavory, there's plenty to provoke and entertain. Ages 6–10.

July 1, 2009
Gr 2-5-This collection of more than 100 poems features comical wordplay (Oh, Brother opens: If "r" were taken out of "brother"/Your brother would just be a bother]) as well as lots of fun riffs on Mother Goose rhymes and fairy tales. Many are about family, friends, and school. Anyone familiar with Wilsons picture books knows that shes a good writer with a fresh eye and a knack for child appeal. Those qualities are very much in evidence here. The humorous, light tone is similar to Jack Prelutskys work, although Wilson has a serious side, too. For example, Golden Eggs shows a goose wearing a necklace labeled BLING; shes looking at an empty cradle, and the poem reads, Shed rather have/One fluffy chick/than a "million" golden eggs, you see. Blitts line drawings are a great match for the verses. They are funny, dynamic, and full of personality. Plenty of white space adds to the accessible, inviting look. All in all, a great choice for read-alouds or individual enjoyment."Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.