RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009.  ISBN 978-0-547-01494-4

2.  SUMMARY

Joyce Sidman’s RED SINGS FROM TREETOP journeys with a young boy and his dog through the yearly seasons while simultaneously divulging people’s diverse perceptions of various colors within spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The crowned boy, venturing through the seasons with his equally crowned pup, narrates each unique poem.

3. CRITICAL REVIEW

Sidman’s nature themed collection reveals her unique voice and style embedded in Pamela Zagarenski’s illustrative artistry. This whimsical view of seasonal color and how it is perceived poetically glimpses into the visuals of each season with vivid textual imagery: “Green is queen in summer/ Green trills from trees, clings, to Pup’s knees, covers all with leaves, leaves, leaves!” Throughout this fresh and innovative collection, Sidman personifies individual colors such as describing summer-blue as: “Humming, shimmering, snoozing in the lazy haze.”  The figurative language creates distinct mental images for the reader, with or without the accompanying illustrations. Poetry flows without warning between stanzas of couplets and stanzas of free verse. The boxing and highlighting of the color-words in text enhance the emphasis on color, while the choice of active verbs creates a sense of action that engages readers of all ages.

Pamela Zagarenski’s fanciful illustrations enhance and complement the poetry with rustic folk-art. A comforting country flair and intricately detailed paintings, overlaid with collage-like hairless characters, invite the reader to slow down and taste the beautifully detailed features that go unnoticed if rushed. The color choices for each illustration reflect tremendous thought, each design creating a distinct mood. This collection of poems should not be hurried; instead, the reader must take time to dwell upon the colors and events illustrated on each charming page. Readers will want to pay close attention to the illustrations of animals including the pup, the raccoon, and the flock of tiny red birds singing from the roof and treetops, dropping miniature musical notes that rain into the fabric of the illustrations. The yellow animal-filled school bus of fall also promises to be a favorite. It is pure visual delight!

4.  AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Caldecott Medal/Honor, January 2010

Horn Book starred, March 2009

Booklist starred, May 2009

Wilson’s Children, October 2010

BOOKLIST starred, Mays 2009: “Throughout, the mixed-media illustrations including collage and paintings on wood, provide much to look at. And as the title implies, the colors that surprise on every page do sing.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, April 2009: “The words and pictures depend upon one another and blend well to conjure up quirky, magical imagery. Children will find many small stories waiting to be told within the detailed painting and enjoy looking at them over and over.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

* Create a chart that includes spring, summer, fall, and winter; list the traits and perceptions of green for each season. Then compare and contrast the traits and perceptions. Discuss the contrasts. For example, ask the children to explain why green may be perceived as shy in the spring but perceived as queen in the summer.

* Utilize RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS as a jumping off point for a thematic unit on seasons, which incorporates concepts in science, geography, and the language arts.

Other books about seasons:

Branley, Franklyn M. SUNSHINE MAKES THE SEASONS. ISBN 978-0060592059

Gibbons, Gail. THE REASONS FR SEASONS. ISBN 978-0823412389

Gibbons, Gail. THE SEASONS OF ARNOLD’S APPLE TREE. ISBN 978-0152712457