Footprints on the Roof: Poems About the Earth

by Marilyn Singer
illustrated by Meilo So

cover by Barnes & Noble

Singer, Marilyn. Footprints on the Roof: Poems About the Earth. Ill. Meilo So. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2002. Print. ISBN: 0-375-91094-8.

Poetic Elements

This series of nineteen nature poems provides sensory images that give children the sense of touching, feeling, smelling, and seeing the earth and it’s elements.  In “Mud,” Singer writes: “When my toes have tasted / too many sidewalks / When the earth is / a cake without frosting / or a sundae without sauce / Then I cheer on rain and thunder / and forget about my shoes / In the park / or by the river / I choose / ooze.” In “Burrows,” the title poem of this collection, Singer displays natural wordplay: “Where what you see is nothing- / what counts is what you smell / or hear or feel / I try to tread softly: / a quiet giant / leaving only footprints / on the roof.” Alliteration abounds in lines such as: “Someplace safe and solid” in the poem “Home,” where she utilizes both simile and hyperbole describing the earth from an astronaut’s view: “like a yo-yo from a giant’s hand.” In addition, her use of personification in “Dormant Dragons” with lines such as: “Volcanoes there are that sleep / the sleep of dragons /…Till something wakes them / Then furious they breathe fire and smoke / hot spittle and wrath / to burn and choke/whatever lies in their path” teaches scientific concepts and principles of nature.

Appeal

Singer’s vivid use of imagery helps to make topics memorable and interesting to her audience. They also introduce or reinforce important science concepts while retaining the reader’s attention. The author’s use of graphic elements guide the reader to pause and contemplate, as well as slow down and absorb the language. This results in not only a better sensory experience, but a better understanding of her intended message as well.

Overall Quality

This series of poems consistently reinforce the purpose of the book and stimulate natural curiosity about animals, seasons, weather, space, dinosaurs, and geography.

The Poet

Marilyn Singer is an award-winning author of more than ninety children’s books, including many collections of poetry. She lives in Brooklyn, NY and Washington, CT with her husband, Steve. Singer currently co-hosts the Poetry Blast, a reading by children’s poets at the American Library Association’s conference and other venues. You can visit the Fans of the ALSC Poetry Blast page at Facebook for more information on that as well as other upcoming events.

Layout

The graphic elements Singer utilizes along with Meilo So’s India-ink illustrations on rice paper, subtly complement each poem in this book. I especially like the image of a dragon under the volcano in “Dormant Dragons” as it exemplifies Singer’s use of personification and the size of the book feels good in reader’s hands.

Spotlight Poem

“Summer Solstice”

by Marilyn Singer

Amid the scent of roses

             and the lulling hum of bees

comes a cloud scudding briefly across the sun

             or a slightly pointed breeze

to remind you that the earth has turned again

             and in a long slow wink

                          the nights will grow

                          the days will shrink

The richest garden

             the greenest trees

will have a different form

     wearing withered leaves like memories

                          of days when it was warm

Poetry Break

Introduction: I would introduce this poem by warming up the student’s sense of smell and hearing by offering them an opportunity to smell a fresh rose and listen to a recording of bees buzzing.

Extension Activity: After a quick discussion of the possible meaning of “Summer Solstice,” take the class outdoors to read the poem (weather permitting). Afterwards, have them sit quietly and listen intently to nature’s sounds, sights, and noises in the great outdoors and record them in their poetry journals.