Cabbagehead. Loris Lesynski. Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2003. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.95 (pbk.), $18.95 (lib. bdg.). ISBN 1-55037-804-X (pbk.), ISBN 1-55037-805-8 (lib. bdg.). Subject Heading: Children's poetry, Canadian (English). Grades 2-4 / Ages 7-9. Review by Christina Neigel. *** /4

excerpt:

The laughter of a little child
is full of tender joy,
such a light and lovely sound
from every girl and boy.

The poets writing stuff like this -
what school do they attend?
It's absolutely clear to me
they've never met my friends.

Mirroring the facetiousness and irony of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky, Lois Lesynski has created another collection of poetry for children. The poems in Cabbagehead explore issues ranging from "Who Invented Socks?" to "Wet Pets." Lesynski's wonderful ink, water colour and coloured pencil illustrations are the highlight of this work. The book incorporates a lot of fun, whimsy, and satire. However, the poems seem somehow contrived, and many of them lack a certain flow and rhythm.

     Readers will definitely get a few chuckles out of this work even if many of the poems seem a little "off" beat. The illustrations work to greatly enhance the text, making them an integral part of the humour. Cabbagehead is a light and simple collection of poems that many children will enjoy.

Recommended.

Christina Neigel is an instructor for the Library Technician and Information Technology program at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, BC.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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