Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman
Bibliography:
Sidman, Joyce. 2014. Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold. Illustrated by Rick Allen. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780544465077
Plot Summary:
Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold is a beautifully illustrated picture book consisting of various poem collections about animals, birds, amphibians, insects, and nature in winter. Each page features a poem and a fact about animals or nature surviving and thriving in winter weather, from plants to snowflakes to snakes. Discover how ravens and wolves work together to hunt or learn about honeybees protecting their queen. See each page come alive with bustling realistic artwork, vivid poetry, and fun facts.
Critical Analysis:
Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman is a poetic educational lesson about creatures in wintertime that perfectly blends colorful illustrations, various poem forms, and adequately researched factual information.
Joyce Sidman efficiently connects rhythm, rhyme, sound, and imagery in each poem. She carefully selects words that convey meaning to fit the rhythm and theme of the featured topic. Sidman does not use rhyme schemes in every verse, which works well for this book because the combination of poem variations emphasizes the lyrical sounds of the rhyming elements. For example:
"I'm a big brown moose,
I'm a rascally moose,
I'm a moose with tough, shaggy hide;
And I kick and I prance
in a long-legged dance
with my moose-mama close by my side."
The poem "Big Brown Moose" harmonizes sounds without changing the meaning of words or being forced to fit the theme. The use of sensory words also creates an animated mental image, enhanced by Rick Allen's exquisite wintery print illustrations.
What is especially appealing about this book is Joyce Sidman's talent for writing poetic language, forms, and structure. The variety of poetry forms, such as pantoums and couplets, is impressive. She also creates a figurative language that depicts points of view and bringing objects to life with personification. For instance:
"Snowflake wakes,
whirling,
arms outstretched,
lace sprouting from fingertips."
The emotions of each piece of nature, animal, and creature are realistic to the degree where readers will believe they can hear a snowflake's thought.
The book perfectly balances gorgeous illustrations, reference aids, interesting background information, and thematic poems. Readers of all ages will find something they enjoy about this book and learn a new fact about winter and nature.
Review Excerpts:
Awards & Recognitions:
- 2014 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
- 2014 Nerdy Poetry Award
- 2015 Claudia Lewis Poetry Award
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2014
- ILA Teachers’ Choice Award
- Kirkus Best Book of 2014
- Midwest Bookseller’s Choice Award
- Minnesota Book Award for Children’s Literature (2015),
- New York Public Library's 100 Best Books for Reading and Sharing
- Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee for Grades 3-6
- School Library Journal Best Book of 2014
- Vermont's Picture Book Awards: Red Clover Nominee
From The Horn Book, "A handsome, persuasive, and authentic ambassador for creatures in their natural state."
From Kirkus Reviews, "Carefully constructed and delightfully varied poems . . . . Fascinating, detailed information about the subjects accompanies each poem . . . the result is magic."
From New York Times, "Snowy northern winters come to life in these cogent poems."
From Publishers Weekly, "Sidman and Allen discover warmth, community and wisdom in the dead of winter . . . . Each poem brings a sense of humor, respect, or wonder to its subject."
From School Library Journal, "Winter Bees distinguishes itself with a focus on the science of animal survival, coupled with superlative illustrations. Readers young and old will enjoy this winter journey and marvel at the wonders of nature."
Connections:
- Discussion: Encourage patrons or students to pick their favorite poem from Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold and share with everyone what they like about it. Is it the poem? The fact? The animal or weather element?
- Ask for volunteers to recite their favorite poems aloud, either from the book or any favorite that comes to mind.
- Encourage patrons or students to write poems about their favorite season, animal, or both. Help them come up with rhyme schemes or formatting if requested.
- Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night. ISBN: 9780547152288
- Sidman, Joyce. Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow. ISBN: 9780618563135
- Sidman, Joyce. Hello, Earth!: Poems to Our Planet. ISBN: 9780802855282
- Sidman, Joyce. Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors. ISBN: 9780547014944
- Sidman, Joyce. Round. ISBN: 9780544387614
- Sidman, Joyce. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. ISBN: 9780618135479
- Sidman, Joyce. Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature. ISBN: 9780547315836
Enjoy other poetry books about animals and nature:
- Clover, Robin. Origami and Poetry: Inspired by Nature. ISBN: 9781536205800
- Coelho, Joseph. A Year of Nature Poems. ISBN: 9781786035837
- Lewis, J. Patrick. National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs that Squeak, Soar, and Roar! ISBN: 9781426310546
- Lewis, J. Patrick. National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs that Float, Zoom, and Bloom! ISBN: 9781426320941
Extra Content: To Kick Those Boredom Blues