Book Review: “The Paper Doorway” Poetry by Dean Koontz

I recently gave my 12 year old son the assignment to reflect on poetry that he had recently read. His response was that he could not do the assignment, as he did not like poetry and had never really read any poetry.

My response to him went something like this “but you love poetry, and you recently were telling me about all the great little ‘stories’ you were reading in your Dean Koontz book.”

His response “That’s not poetry, I liked that book. It was full of funny little stories.”

We had a long discussion after about how poetry takes on many forms and brings many different emotions. The emotions that were felt with Koontz’s poetry made my son feel happy. All poetry is not like that and my son did later admit he enjoys poetry, especially Koontz’s poetry.

“The Paper Doorway” is filled with humorous, whimsical poetry for children of all ages. There are wonderful illustrations on nearly each page and each illustration contains a mouse for your child to find.

This is a must have book for all young readers which will expose them to the joys of poetry.

Classroom Kit for National Poetry Month

If you are involved in educating children (a classroom or homeschool teacher, a school or public librarian, a reading specialist, a PTA member, an administrator, etc.) here’s a free gift for you.

Celebrate National Poetry Month and Young People’s Poetry Week, April 16-22, with a free classroom kit suitable for grades 2-5. The kit includes a full-color poster featuring a poem and art from Douglas Florian’s new poetry collection, Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars. You’ll also receive a pack of special poetry-writing pencils for your students, a Florian author bio, and tips on writing poetry from Douglas Florian himself!

(Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery; offer good while supplies last.)

http://www.harcourtbooks.com/TK8/

Breathe

I’m ok, breathe it in
It’s my choice, breathe it in
It’s my money, breathe it in
It’s my life, breathe it in

I can’t breathe, breathe it in
I can’t walk, breathe it in
I can’t work, breathe it in
I can’t live, breathe it in

Stop
Too late

I hurt
I’m angry
Fix me… please

Suffering,
Gasping, hacking,
Desperate wishes,
No breath comes

Panic

Sudden, what’s wrong
Squeeze, can’t breathe
Thumping, heart skipping
Pounding, pressure rising
Thready, no pulse
Numb, can’t touch
Scared, crying
Dizzy, falling down
Shaking, can’t stop
Dark room, lay down
Close eyes, see nothing
Close mind, think nothing
Wait, almost done
So tired, time to rest