Sharing the Seasons - A Book of Poems

Bibliography

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2010. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books. ISBN: 978-1-4169-0210-2.

About the Book

This collection of poetry about the four seasons offers twelve poems about each season. Lee Bennett Hopkins weaves a nice selection of poets and their poems into a single book.  Quotes from famous sources begin each season.  For example, Spring is introduced with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Spring in the world! And all things are made new!" The entire collection effectively taps into the elements in each season and speaks to both children and adults. The poem by James Hayford, "Suddenly Green" says that "Our trees have grown skin / And birds have moved in." Rebecca Kai Dotlich is "Bewitched by Autumn," conjuring up Halloween with the "bits of legend in a broth".  By the end of the collection, every season has had its voice - serving as quite a tribute to nature. 

Vibrant illustrations perfectly accompany each poem so that children are able to enjoy each verse as well as each visual page. Teaching the concept of seasons can be challenging for those working with young children so these short, clear poems are perfect for use with that group.  Because of the brevity of each poem, several can be shared in one sitting. Many of the entries personify nature, such as in April Halprin Wayland's whimsical selection which portrays spring flowers showing up for a first day of class: "Let's go around the room / Call out your colors." Other poems focus on human activities throughout the year and the small, sensory moments that make each season special - smelling cool spring air; listening to the crackle of a December fire.

One Poem

Winter
Lee Bennett Hopkins

Snowballs

snow people

icicles

frost

always - 

always - 

a mitten or two lost

scarves

boots

earmuffs

sleighs

and 

books 

to curl up with

on 

long

wintry

days.

Activities

As an introduction to the book, create a simple KWL chart, guiding students to discuss features of each season.  Provide non-fiction books about each season to assist students, if needed. Students can choose a favorite season to illustrate and place their picture on a table or butcher paper banner with the name of each season on it. Discuss seasons and how they impact us - including what we see, how we dress, or what we do.  

After reading poems from the book, introduce another book about seasons, such as Seasons All Around by Barney Satlzburg, Candlewick Press, 2010. Compare the format and genre of each book. Discuss the special features of poetry and non-fiction and how each book exhibits those features.

As a science tie-in, lead students to conduct research about average temperatures, rainfall, or other regional statistics for each season in the area in which they live.