My son asked me last night if he was too old to dress up for Halloween. I've never liked the holiday so I should have said yes, but it seems we'll be making a costume in the coming week. Hoping for a little inspiration today, I pulled a few beloved Halloween poetry books off the shelf.
I actually have two Halloween books by Eve Merriam. One is Halloween ABC, published in 1987 and illustrated by Lane Smith. However, I must say that I am even fonder of the 2002 revised edition retitled Spooky ABC. Besides the absolutely pitch-perfect poems and illustrations, one of the most interesting things about the book is the section at the end entitled "The Awful Truth Behind The Making Of Spooky ABC." In it, Lane Smith describes how the first book and revised edition came about. This section also includes images that were created for the first book, but ultimately dropped because Merriam's poems suggested other illustrations. For example, vampire was lost to viper, tree to trap, and cat to crawler. (I do LOVE the cat illustration, as well as the one for invisible. I wish you could see them!) There is just so much to love in these words and illustrations. Today I'm sharing the poem for the letter A. In the book it is accompanied by an image of a red apple held in a hand with long, slim fingers tipped with long fingernails.
I actually have two Halloween books by Eve Merriam. One is Halloween ABC, published in 1987 and illustrated by Lane Smith. However, I must say that I am even fonder of the 2002 revised edition retitled Spooky ABC. Besides the absolutely pitch-perfect poems and illustrations, one of the most interesting things about the book is the section at the end entitled "The Awful Truth Behind The Making Of Spooky ABC." In it, Lane Smith describes how the first book and revised edition came about. This section also includes images that were created for the first book, but ultimately dropped because Merriam's poems suggested other illustrations. For example, vampire was lost to viper, tree to trap, and cat to crawler. (I do LOVE the cat illustration, as well as the one for invisible. I wish you could see them!) There is just so much to love in these words and illustrations. Today I'm sharing the poem for the letter A. In the book it is accompanied by an image of a red apple held in a hand with long, slim fingers tipped with long fingernails.Apple
by Eve Merriam
Apple,
sweet apple,
what do you hide?
Wormy and
squirmy,
rotten inside.
Apple,
sweet apple,
so shiny and red,
taste it,
don't waste it,
come and be fed.
Delicious,
malicious;
one bite and
you're dead.
The round up this week is being hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem. Do stop by and take in all the great poetry being shared. Before you go, be sure to check out this week's poetry stretch results on the topic of home. Happy poetry Friday, all!
I love to dress up - but I, too, think Halloween is kind of a ridiculous day, for various reasons. Still, I look forward to taking a page from Camille's book (Book Moot) and demanding each kid tell me a favorite book before I part with the goods, and I hope you can find one redeeming thing out of the whole thing as well!! ☺
ReplyDeleteI have the 1987 version...now I'm going to have to track down a copy of the 2002! This is my all-time favorite Halloween poetry book!!!
ReplyDeleteCreepy and fun. I'll have to look for it.
ReplyDeleteHi, Tricia! I haven't had much time to blog since I became a nanny granny. That's why I haven't been around much in the past several months.
ReplyDeleteHalloween was my daughter's favorite holiday when she was young. She still loves it. She has always enjoyed spooky stories and movies.
Hope your son has a great Halloween!
This is one of my favorite Halloween books--with a high creep factor!
ReplyDelete