A Foot in the Mouth: poems to speak, sing and shout

Paul B. Janeczko (selected by)

Chris Raschka (illustrations)

Candlewick Press, USA: 2009

ISBN: 9780763606633

Genres: anthology, picture book, poetry

‘A Tomcat Is' by J. Patrick Lewis ‘Night watchman of corners/ Caretaker of naps/ Leg-wrestler of pillows/ Depresser of laps.'

This one of the thirty-seven delicious poems collected here for the reader's delectation.

Famous or unfamiliar, playful or serious, naughty or nice - there is something for everyone. Poems to be read in solitude, sounded in the head so that each word rings in the silence of the imagination; verses that will have the toes tapping with the rhythm and rhyme; lyrical lines that linger on the tongue - they are here too. As Janeczko says in his introduction, ‘Poetry is sound...To hear the sound of a poem, really hear it, you need to read it out loud. Or have someone read it to you.'

Raschka's slightly abstract, mixed media illustrations are a delightful supplement to this careful selection. Colour, whimsy and humour remind the reader that poetry is also fun. It's about energy and movement and engagement with the written word.

This is a delightful selection designed to tempt the novice poetry reader to venture into a world where every word is placed with infinite care, designed to pluck the strings of the heart and tickle the fancy. Above all it is a collection of pieces to share - to be read aloud, chanted, memorised, whispered, shouted... but brought to life with voice and breath.