Module 14: A Curious Collection of Cats Concrete Poems by Betsy Franco

Picture taken from: http://www.amazon.com/Curious-Collection-Cats-Betsy-Franco/dp/1582462488

Summary:

Author Franco has expressively and humorously created a book of poetry dedicated to cats. Each poem is written as a characterization and dedication of a cat that has touched her life.

Citation:

             Franco, B. (2009). A curious collection of cats. Berkley, California: Tricycle Press.

Impression:

To anyone who has ever loved a cat; this is the book to read. Franco is not only able to capture the personality of every cat in the book, but is able to show it through a unique display of text and verbal imagery. Franco uses whimsical lettering and nontraditional format to depict each cat’s unique personality. This book made me smile and made my heart ache all at the same time.

Reviews:

Gr 3-6-- Franco understands the nuanced world of the fluffy, fractious, and faithful feline friend. Thirty-two unusual, concrete poems, one per page with a single exception, are matched by Wertz's monoprints. The words move in several directions and sometimes inhabit multiple objects. The poems are so embedded within the illustrations that it is hard to imagine them without the artwork; they are virtually inseparable. In a print of a cat licking its neck, its exceptionally long tongue is created out of words. Readers following the poem will find they are forced to turn the book to the side, and may crane their own necks, experiencing an odd identification with the activity of the cat. The poem "Princess" uses arrows as part of the illustrated content to keep readers on the language path as "Princess paces down and up" awaiting her supper. At times, the path isn't obvious, but youngsters delight in solving puzzles, and these are merely little challenges that prove fun to master. In "Hot Daze," a red devilish arrow points to the poem's beginning. Among the various subjects are fat cats, shy cats, a kitty who "sips from toilet bowl," and a polydactyl cat with "poofy fur" and "prissy looks." Cat lovers will recognize their felines stretching, purring, and napping. This collection would pair nicely with Sharon Creech's Hate That Cat (HarperCollins, 2008).

Citation:

Pfeifer, T. (2009). [A curious collection of cats] [book review]. School Library Journal, 55(4). Retrieved   from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

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Words and pictures blend in these concrete poems about cats, written in forms that include haiku, limerick, and free verse. Once kids get the feel of how to follow the lines--up and down or in curving jumps or around the page borders--they will have fun with the playful images. One poem is in the shape of a feline tail. Another describes Kabob the cat's fall upside down, and not only do the pictures show his movement, but the words do, too. When felines fight, the position of the words mirrors their furious screeches, howls, pouncing, and biting. Cat lovers will recognize the standoffs with arching backs, the cozy touch of the "purrfect" scarf on their shoulders, and the tech-savvy cat who walks across the keyboard to add her own note to an e-mail to a friend.--Hazel Rochman

Citation:

Hazel, R. (2009). [A curious collection of cats] [book review]. Booklist. Retrieved from www.booklist.com


Uses

• Have a poetry evening at the library and invite a local professor or poet to read from the book. Have a donation jar in which all proceeds go to the local Humane Society.
• Use the book in a book display of children’s poetry books.