Poem? Not a Poem? #SOL24

What makes a children’s picture book poetry? When is a picture book not poetry?

These questions became points of discussion last week during a Zoom meeting of the NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee of which I’m a member.

As we discussed criteria for selecting books to honor, one person said, “I don’t think the chicken book is a poem. It’s just a typical narrative.”

“Poems can tell stories,” I responded. “Narrative poetry is a genre of poetry.”

This commenced a friendly debate.

I suggested we define our terms. That is, if we’re going to say a book isn’t poetry because it tells a story we need to come up with a working definition for poetry.

Our chair shared her screen giving NCTE’s criteria for judging children’s poetry.

To support my argument, I observed the chicken book uses poetic language: rhyme, onomatopoeic language, alliteration, and other poetic conventions.

Still unconvinced, my colleague on the committee pushed back, once again saying she just doesn’t think the book is poetry.

Undeterred, I opened my copy of the book and read a couple of pages aloud. Actually, it’s more accurate to say I performed a couple of pages.

“Okay, I’m convinced. Hearing you read, I now see the book is poetry.”

Yes! 🙌

I love winning a debate. 😉

More importantly, the discussion provided an opportunity to comment on the importance of how we read to students. Simply, interpreting literature offers both enjoyment and understanding to learners.

And sometimes performing convinces a colleague.

So when you’re convinced you have nothing to say, be more like Mavis and find a way. For no matter how shy or quiet you be, your words make a difference. Lift your voice and you’ll see.

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