Red Sings from Treetops: A year in Colors (2009)

use writing, flip chart poems, sequence of s ( )

Poet Joyce Sidman and artist Pamela Zagarenski, who previously collaborated on 2007's This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness, joined forces once again in this lovely picture-book, which was chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book in 2010. An exploration of the seasons, and the colors that weave through them - the new, "shy" green of spring, the "humming, shimmering, snoozing" blue of summer, the "fat and glossy" brown of fall, the "powder-soft" pink of winter - it boasts gorgeous mixed media illustrations that perfectly complement the poetic narrative.

Truthfully, I found the artwork in Red Sings from Trees far more compelling than the text, and my high four-star rating is more a result of aesthetic than literary appreciation. It's not that there was anything wrong with Sidman's poetry - in fact, some of the images were immensely evocative - but the finished product simply didn't speak to me. Zagarenski's illustrations, on the other hand, with their brilliantly appropriate use of color, and their many quirky details - the beautiful butterfly sail, in summer; the fabric-like interiors of the pumpkin, in fall - really drew me in! Highly recommended to anyone who appreciated beautiful picture-book art, and (because tastes vary), to young readers who appreciate poetry. ( )

The book of poetry that uses senses of sight, sound, smell and taste to explain the senses found in the changing of seasons. I love this book because children can identify the senses of the seasons, not just the colors, its also great to introduce seasons into curriculum. Best for kids ages 3 to 7.

I absolutely loved the images in this book. Using mutlimedia- paint, wood and paper/newspaper- this book really comes to life through the colors. I thought the images were very detailed, but at the same time very simple. They matched the text, and brought life to the text. A lot of repeating images (a little red bird) are used throughout the book. The story line was very interesting and unique. The author writes about the colors in the season, but as if the color were living things (nouns and not adjectives). I thought this was a really great way to have the reader to look at colors as more than just a describing word, and how they can actually bring things to life.

Teaching Extension:
Have students write their own poem about a color, and bring that color to life by treating it as a noun and not an adjective. ( )

This is a great book that I will use when I am teaching my students about colors and about the seasons. This book will go great with both of the lessons and is a good book to just read during read aloud times or when you are waiting to go to lunch or take pictures with students. ( )