Starred Review ALA Booklist (Thu Dec 28 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Starred Review Though the title of Schechter's first poetry collection may conjure associations with the Jack Prelutsky brand and all its fun absurdities d while this book's general format mirrors that, as well u may find something a bit different here. The playfulness is certainly still present, as it should be, but for the most part, Schechter's poetry is grounded in reality, and the silly conceits are always rooted in a second, more meaningful layer. The tone leans less toward the absurd and more toward the wry, with entries often leading readers to some kind of truth or realization, typically through an effective punchline. The result is a rich experience as a whole. The poetry thrives on legitimately clever wordplay, interesting use of perspective, and even existential exploration. Common topics include astronomy, thoughts and introversion, and of course, noses. Entries are typically one page, sometimes two, with plenty of white space to comfort readers and poems typically consisting of short, rhythmic, rhyming stanzas, generally arranged within the collection to keep similar subjects in proximity to one another. Simple black-line illustrations from Federico provide the requisite parallel image, highlighting the humor in each work. All in all, a great classroom resource, as well as an entertaining and illuminating collection.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Dec 28 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Schechter contemplates the sun, the moon, his nose, and other prominent subjects in this wide-ranging debut collection.Showing masterful command of metrics and rhyme, the poet launches observations both playful and reflective on topics from seasons to self. He lays personal claim in "What's Mine" to the surreal titular "red ear." Schechter also praises nonconformity ("The Horse Who Said Moo," "Why Can't an Elephant?") and in a scientific vein wonders "does the caterpillar brain / in the butterfly remain?" or if two observers might see the same "Colors" differently. Even when tackling serious themes ("Fomenting war is bad. Make peace! / Don't let the world get blown up. / You know this. You don't need this poem. / Unless you are a grown-up") he keeps the tone light and dishes up plenty of outright crowd pleasers, notably by trumpeting a paean to his nose ("Thank You, Nose"), wishing for an "Adjustable Nose," and urging readers in "Nosy Advice" to be proud of their own, since "You only get one nose in life, / so make sure you don't blow it." The line drawings, featuring figures with skin the white of the page, that Federico places alongside most of the entries aren't as comical as Shel Silverstein's but do share some of the same open, breezy look.Smells like a winner. (Poetry. 6-11)

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Schechter contemplates the sun, the moon, his nose, and other prominent subjects in this wide-ranging debut collection.Showing masterful command of metrics and rhyme, the poet launches observations both playful and reflective on topics from seasons to self. He lays personal claim in "What's Mine" to the surreal titular "red ear." Schechter also praises nonconformity ("The Horse Who Said Moo," "Why Can't an Elephant?") and in a scientific vein wonders "does the caterpillar brain / in the butterfly remain?" or if two observers might see the same "Colors" differently. Even when tackling serious themes ("Fomenting war is bad. Make peace! / Don't let the world get blown up. / You know this. You don't need this poem. / Unless you are a grown-up") he keeps the tone light and dishes up plenty of outright crowd pleasers, notably by trumpeting a paean to his nose ("Thank You, Nose"), wishing for an "Adjustable Nose," and urging readers in "Nosy Advice" to be proud of their own, since "You only get one nose in life, / so make sure you don't blow it." The line drawings, featuring figures with skin the white of the page, that Federico places alongside most of the entries aren't as comical as Shel Silverstein's but do share some of the same open, breezy look.Smells like a winner. (Poetry. 6-11)

Publishers Weekly

Rhymes abound in this wide-ranging collection of 99 new and previously published poems by Schechter. Grouped loosely by subject, frequently humorous verse relies heavily on ballad stanzas while exploring a variety of topics, from poetry writing to nature and beyond. Some pieces embrace whimsy for tongue-twisty readaloud effect (“Though losing/ is gruesome/ and winning/ is winsome/ I win some/ and lose some/ and losing/ I wince some”). Others lightly touch on more existential questions, such as “Unlucky,” which concludes: “I bought a coffin./ It’s worth a try./ With my bad luck./ I might not die.” Most successful are those previously published, including “Colors,” which invites reflections on perspective (“I wonder if what you call red/ would look like red to me”). Federico’s occasional ink drawings provide doodle-like imagery, contributing to the collection’s casual feel. Figures’ skin reflects the white of the paper. Ages 7–up. (Apr.)