Please Bury Me in the Library By J. Patrick Lewis

Bibliography:  

Lewis, J. Patrick. Please Bury Me in the Library. Ill. by Kyle M. Stone. Orlando: Gulliver Books. ISBN 9780152163875

Plot Summary:

This book is a collection of sixteen poems by J. Patrick Lewis about books, libraries, words, and reading. It explores the joy that reading and books bring to so many people. Lewis includes haiku, traditional rhymes, acrostic, quatrains, couplets, and free verse poetry in his delightful collection. Kyle M. Stone illustrates the poems with whimsical illustrations. My favorite illustrations are the on the front cover and the back of the book.

Excerpt from Please Bury Me in the Library:

Are You a Book Person?

A good book is a kind
Of person with a mind
Of her own,
Who lives alone,
Standing on a shelf
By herself.
She has a spine,
A heart, a soul, And a goal--
To capture, to amuse,
To light a fire
(You're the fuse),
Or else, joyfully,
Just to be.
From beginning 
To end,
Need a friend?

by J. Patrick Lewis

Critical Analysis:

This collection of poetry begins  with a table of contents , includes page numbers, and large poem titles. The poems range from being very short to one page. All of the poems are different in style and rhyme scheme but they work together as a collection because of the topic of each poem. I found that the delightful illustrations enhanced each poem and added to the imagery of the poem. These poems are fun, silly, and children will delight in them. A personal favorite is the acrostic poem Necessary Gardens:
                Libraries 
                Are
                Necessary
                Gardens,
                Unsurpassed
                At
                Growing
                Excitement.

The book includes silly poems such as Flea-ting Fame, What if Books Had Different Names?, and The Big-Word Girl. Sweet, nostalgic poems are included such as A Classic and Are You a Book Person? Some poems are more appropriate for younger children and some work better with older children. Adults will enjoy all the poems.

Review Excerpts:

• From Booklist-"Lewis' poetry is continually clever, whether pithily summing up children's classics (a book that is excitedly read by a kid of 6 to another kid of 63) or capturing the thrill of reading in the dark."
• From School Library Journal-"A semi-swell collection of 16 poems celebrating books, reading, language, and libraries." 
• Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award 2006-2007
• From Library Media Connection-" Although this beautifully illustrated picture book of clever poems is primarily for young children, it will tickle the fancy of most book lvoers. Every poem has something to do with either books or reading."
• From Kirkus Reviews-"...this offering from the prolific Lewis won’t stay buried long, no matter where it’s planted."

Connections:

Have students explore J.Patrick Lewis' fun website: http://www.jpatricklewis.com/

Visit the online magnetic poetry site: http://play.magneticpoetry.com/poem/Original/kit/

Visit Giggle Poetry:  http://www.gigglepoetry.com/

Gather other poetry collections to share with students such as:
Poetry Speaks to Children edited by Elise Paschen and Dominique Raccah ISBN 9781402203299
Poems to Learn by Heart by Caroline Kennedy ISBN 9781423108054
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children compiled by Jack Preltusky ISBN 9780394850108
National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! by J. Patrick Lewis ISBN 9781423310096
The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry edited by Bill Martin ISBN 9781416939719

Have students create acrostic poems with Necessary Gardens as their example.