Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems

by Marilyn Singer
illustrated by Josee Mazze

image by Barnes & Noble

Singer, Marilyn, and Josee Masse. Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems. Ill. Josee Mazze. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-8037-3769-3.

Poetic Elements

In this delightful collection of reverso poems, the second poem reverses the lines and is read in reverse with only changes in punctuation and capitalization.  This clever play of language changes the meaning of the original poem, giving the stories a new perspective and dimension. For example, “Ready, Steady, Go!” begins “That ridiculous loser!/I am not/a slowpoke./Though…” and the accompanying reverse poem concludes with “Though I may be/ a slowpoke,/ I am not/ that ridiculous loser,” presenting both the tortoise’s and the hare’s point of view.

Appeal

Young people will love the humor in these reverso poems and may remember these familiar tales being read to them as a child. Singer’s witty play with language and fairy tales in this collection will extend and enrich the reader’s knowledge and imagination. I believe it will also challenge readers to expand their linguistic abilities and encourage them to try their own hand at reverso poetry.

Overall Quality

For those who loved Mirror Mirror, this second collection of Singer’s reverso poems will not disappoint, as it is equally as brilliant. Follow Follow is compatible with the first collection and reinforces the creative and entertaining form of reverso poetry Singer first created with Mirror Mirror. It’s humorous and unique qualities with changes of perspective will stimulate the reader’s thoughts and emotions; however, it may take a couple of readings for young people to actually “get” this poetic element. In “Can’t Blow This House Down,” it begins with “Houses made of bricks/ call for/ a wolf’s tricks” and the accompanying poem ends with “A wolf’s tricks/ call for/ houses made of bricks.”

The Poet

Marilyn Singer is an award-winning author of more than ninety children’s books, including many collections of poetry. She actually invented the reverso poem and this second collection is a follow up to her first book of reversos titled Mirror Mirror.

Josee Masse, the illustrator, is an acclaimed artist and has illustrated numerous books in France and the United States. She studied graphic art in Montreal and also designs images for magazines and advertising.

Layout

Masse’s beautiful full-page illustrations mirror the transitions from the first poem’s perspective to the second’s, and provide realistic details helping the reader to interpret both scenarios. Singer’s note explaining the poetic form of the reverso is a nice touch, as is the “About the Tales” summary she includes at the end of the book; especially as readers may not be as familiar with the fairy tales in Follow Follow as they were with the more popular ones in Stringer’s first reverso collection.

Spotlight Poem

"Can’t Blow This House Down"

Houses made of bricks

call for a wolf’s tricks.

No more

huffing and puffing!

Cheers to clever Mr. Big and Bad

when he comes down this chimney!

Who’ll be boiled or roasted,

triumphantly toasted?

That one little piggy,

by the hair of his chinny chin chin.

By the hair of his chinny chin chin,

that one little piggy

triumphantly toasted:

“Who’ll be boiled or roasted,

when he comes down this chimney?

Cheers to clever Mr. Big and Bad,

huffing and puffing

no more!

A wolf’s tricks

call for

houses made of bricks.”

Poetry Break

Introduction: I would introduce this poem by sharing the “About the Tales” summary Singer provides of The Three Little Pigs in which “Can’t Blow This House Down” was based.

Extension Activity: After the first reading, I would let volunteers take turns reading each part of the reverso poem aloud, paying close attention to punctuation.