Dark Emperor & other Poems of the Night

Bibliography

Sidman, Joyce. 2010. Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children: New York. ISBN 978-0-329-85965-7.

About the Book

Sidman's collection of poems celebrates the wonder, mystery, and danger of the night, describing the many things that hide in the dark. The book, geared for students in grades three through six, is a Newberry Honor book. The combination of lyrical poetry and compelling art with science concepts makes it a great cross curricular tie in. Exciting biology facts are explained in the notes on the right side of each two-page spread while the poem is presented on the left.  The science facts are further reinforced by the accompanying picture. A glossary at the end of the book provides readers with a brief definition of words used in the poems.  This book is a valuable collection of poems that can be used to reinforce science concepts through the poems, the illustrations, and the factual information presented. 

One Poem

Love Poem of the Primrose Moth


Evening unfolds like a primrose,
pale and scented.


The moon, a primrose:
two faces glowing.


Which is sweeter: night flight
or the nectar of the primrose?


I have only one true love:
it is the primrose.


At dawn, I fold my sherbet-colored wings
and become
                    a primrose.

Activities
*In conjunction with a lesson about insects, read this poem aloud to students.  Discuss the language and vocabulary used and why the poet chose those particular words. Additionally, share the factual information on the page about moths.
*Read other poetry collections by Joyce Sidman and compare the content and styles used in both collections.
*After reading the poem and discussing it, provide an art tie-in.  When students know what a primrose flower and a primrose moth are, allow them to make a picture depicting one of both of them.