Joyful Noise - Poems for Two Voices

written  by Paul Fleischman  and illustrated by Eric Beddows

Fleischman, P., & Beddows, E. (1988). Joyful Noise Poems for two voices, illustrated by Eric 

         Beddows. New York: Harper & Row.

This book of poems is special since the poems are read by two people.  The sounds within the lines of poetry create sounds of the insects being introduced.  For example, in "Water Boatman" the sounds resemble the sounds of rowing.  In "Grasshoppers" the sounds resemble the sounds and rhythm of jumping.

The black and white line drawings are very detailed and realistic.  Seeing the long legs of the water striders,  the chrysalis clinging to a twin until it becomes a flying butterfly with intricate wing patterns and antennae,  and the cicadas with their bulging eyes and thick bodies brings the insect world alive with the noise and busyness of everyday activity.

The companion book to Joyful Noise - Poems for Two Voices is I am Phoenix, another book which uses sound to bring the action of the birds to mind:

At first light the finches
are flitting about the trees
Flittering
fluttering
flit
purple finches
flit
Fluttering
flittering
fly
painted finches
fly.

The images of the finches moving, flying, can be imagined, and the alliteration of all the "F" sounds is very pleasant to anyone reciting the poem.

Another book by Paul Fleischman which sounds promising is Seedfolks, the story of a community garden and the people brought together when working in the garden space together.

Activities:

1.  Have students use a worksheet to compile factual information about the insect in the poem of 
      their choice and present the information, along with their choral poetry readings to the class.
2.  Ask students to choose an animal for their own monologue using a worksheet to record verbs, 
     nouns, and possible phrases to represents habits and sounds which are characteristic of this 
     animal.  
3.  Ask students to alternate lines of their poems to present two opposing animals.  Student 
      samples of these poems can be seen here at this web site:
      <http://www.writingfix.com/Picture_Book_Prompts/IAmDog4.htm>.

Comprehension Questions:

 1.  What is the process by which the chrysalis transforms into a butterfly?

 2.  How do the honeybees stay busy?  What are their daily activities like?

3.  In the poem "Requiem" what is the cause of the sudden death of the insects?