School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2016)

Gr 3-6 At the start of this collection, Raczka notes that he likes to think of poems as "word paintings," and he demonstrates this philosophy to marvelous effect. In each of his 21 concrete poems, he groups the words in a shape that complements or emphasizes the meaning or central concept. Raczka goes even further, playfully arranging the letters in the one-word titles of his poems as well. Even the table of contents is constructed to resemble a table. The result is a fun and clever collection that is sure to inspire young poets. While short, the poems are by turns amusing and thoughtful and make excellent use of figurative language devices. A selection about the Big Dipper includes a metaphor that describes the constellation as "a vessel of stars, my brim overflowing with night." Another offering depicts a thunderstorm as "a cloud tantrum." A few layouts may test some readers, such as one about a home run in which one whole line is printed backward, but most students will enjoy the challenge. VERDICT This winning assortment should find a place in most libraries. Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elementary School, Abington School District, PA

ALA Booklist (Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2016)

Concrete poetry is a fun and effective way to introduce young readers to creative wordplay. Though this slim volume offers only 21 selections, it's an entertaining assortment that skips from a zigzag lightning bolt to an inflated helium balloon to whimsical dots of fireflies scattered across a black expanse. Each selection offers a unique perspective, and aspiring poets will be alternately engaged, amused, and perhaps even temporarily perplexed as they decode and interpret words and text-based images. The poems feature a variety of fonts printed in crisp black and white, and some images practically pop off the pages. This is a worthy addition to the concrete canon and will complement many other recent collections, such as Brian P. Cleary's Ode to a Commode (2014) and Betsy Franco's A Spectacular Selection of Sea Critters (2015). Whether they are watching words about dominoes cascade across a two-page spread, or reading a recipe for icicles that drips down along the top edge, aspiring wordsmiths should find plenty of inspiration here.

Horn Book

Graphic design meets riddle meets visual wordplay in Raczka's collection of sturdy and joyful perspectives on the ordinary stuff of the world. Each offering consists of a one-word title and a more extended poem. The poems themselves variously involve reading aloud, turning the page upside-down, and in one case, reading in a mirror. An entertaining chance to dig deep into words and their meanings.