BUTTERFLY EYES AND OTHER SECRETS OF THE MEADOW

Written by Joyce Sidman
Illustrated by Beth Krommes
ISBN: 9780618563135

Bibliography:
Sidman, Joyce, and Beth Krommes. 2006. Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Plot:
This poetry book describes the interaction of living things in a meadow and is presented in a riddle format.

Analysis:
These delightful poems written in riddle format provide an interesting mixture of poetry and scientific facts that inspire inquiry and promote a love for science. Each set of poems is followed by an intriguing scientific explanation. The poem, Ultraviolet, describes a creature whose eyes are capable of seeing ultraviolet patterns in flowers that humans cannot see. A gorgeous illustration of a butterfly provides a hint for young readers, and the answer to the riddle along with the fascinating scientific explanation follows on the next page.

The colorful nature scenes in combination with the use of concrete and shape poems draw the reader into the meadow and create a sense of calm. The use of alliteration, assonance, and consonance allow the poetry to flow effortlessly which is evident in the poem, Always Together: We tumble/we twitter/we dip, float, and flitter/On thistle/we rustle/and whistle and bustle.

Review Excerpts:
Horn Book: “An elegantly conceived, beautifully integrated volume.”

School Library Journal: “This book is a handsome and versatile compendium, melding art, poetry, and natural history.”

Connections:
*This book would serve as a great introduction for questioning skills in science and an be paired with Stories with Holes,

*These poems would be wonderful for choral reading.

*This book would be perfect for an introduction to food chains or food webs in science.