Stampede!

 by Laura Purdie Salas

illustrated by Steven Salerno

cover by Barnes & Noble

Salas, Laura Purdie. Stampede!: Poems to Celebrate the Wild Side of School. Ill. Steven Salerno. New York: Clarion Books, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-618-91488-3.

Poetic Elements

Salas uses an abundance of poetic elements in Stampede in order to bring joy, laughter, and a sense of “familiarity” to children. Rhythm, sound, strong figurative language and sense imagery all play a major role in the emotional impact as a result of these fun, school themed poems.

 

Appeal

The familiar school experience each poem is based upon is naturally appealing to young people and stimulates the emotions and imagination of both, the young and old. As I read through each of the poems, I was reminded of my own school days and realized that some things have not changed much at all. Students still wonder what will be on the lunch menu, worry about looking good for picture day, and blush when teased about the opposite sex.

Overall Quality

Salas manages to represent various moods in Stampede without compromising the school theme or the intended humor. Children can relate personal experiences to the poems or an emotional impact to a more serious poem.

The Poet

This anthology of eighteen humorous poems about school experiences was written by one author and beautifully illustrated in watercolor by Steven Salerno. The full page illustrations easily lend themselves to aid in immediate comprehension and enhance the overall enjoyment the poetry brings.

Layout

The layout of poetry is very creative and designed to catch the attention of school children. Salerno manages to use the illustrations to support the comprehension of each poem and evoke laughter as he personifies ordinary school objects and gives school children animal characteristics. Even the shape poem, “Ducks in a Row” will look familiar to children who have read The Ugly Duckling as the children are illustrated with duck like characteristics and of course, one is out of line!

Spotlight Poem

            Turtleneck

I tuck my face into my sweater,

still as I can be.

I should have studied, but I didn’t.

PLEASE—don’t call on me.

I think every child (and adult) can relate to this poem. We have all been in that position at one time or another and this poem depicts how completely obvious we look trying to make ourselves invisible. Above all, we can laugh at ourselves in the book and feel completely normal!

Activity: I think this book would be perfect to use as an ice breaker and/or read aloud the first day or two of school. Not only would the ensuing laughter make students feel more comfortable in their new surroundings, it would remind them they are not alone and that other students are also feeling overwhelmed, embarrassed, scared, alone, happy, excited, or hungry. Utilizing a poetry book on the first day of school would also set a precedence that the teacher values poetry which in turn, might make students value it more as well.