Module 2: Book Review 4- NCTE Award Poetry

  Mirror Mirror

Bibliography

Singer, M. & Masse, J. (2010) Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse. New York: Dutton Children's Books. ISBN 978052547901

Summary

Take part in the delight that Mirror Mirror has to offer about beloved fairy tales that can be read forwards and backwards.  Enjoy the perspective of two sides of one poem such as Red Riding Hood and the Bad Wolf from the poem In the Hood.  Singer takes the impossible and makes it possible with a sweet and simple concept where both poems are easy to understand for any reader.  Marvel in the beautiful artwork by Josee Masse that blends perfectly into each other and unites with each poem.  This book is tons of fun and something that all readers can relish in time and time again.

Analysis

Mirror Mirror is a collection of 14 familiar fairy tales presented in reverso form, meaning that each poem can be read forwards and backwards.  Singer does an excellent job of doing that to which each poem is easy to understand.  She makes each poem be read from one perspective of one character and with just a change of some punctuation and capitalization, arrives at a different perspective from another character of the fairy tale.  Shared at the back of the book, Singer describes this type of form as “both challenging and fun -- rather like creating and solving a puzzle.”

Masse’s dazzling illustrations are split evenly down the middle of the page to complement and enhance the meaning of the poem.  He does a fantastic job at making the saying “there’s always two sides to every story” true, as shared in the poems throughout the book.  Read about Sleeping Beauty and Prince Charming and their different points of view in the poem The Sleeping Beauty and the Wide-Awake Prince or Red Riding Hood and the Bad Wolf from In the Hood.  Not only do reader’s read these points of view, but also see it in the illustrations. 

This book is a wonderfully written piece that is suitable for children, ages 7-10.  With the theme of fairy tales, kids at that age are sure to be drawn to the story.  The two perspectives make it a bit more challenging though for younger children, possibly finding it difficult to understand and relate to.  The cleverness and wit that comes from each poem and illustration, will sure delight each reader of Mirror Mirror time and time again.

Excerpt

Mirror Mirror

Let me help you get some rest.                          Time to get off your feet.
Mother knows best.                                             What would you like?
Listen to me,                                                          An apple to eat?
Snow White.                                                          A blanket?
Sleepy, Dopey, Happy,                                        A long nap?
You’ve been working day and night.                You look worn out.
You look worn out.                                              You’ve been working day and night
A long nap?                                                           Sleepy, dopey, happy
A blanket?                                                             Snow White,
An apple to eat?                                                   listen to me.
What would you like?                                         Mother knows best.
Time to get off your feet.                                    Let me help you get some rest.

Use
This poem along with several other poems from the story can be shared in a reader’s theater form for students in grades 2^nd through 5^th.  The use of reader’s theater will help in the comprehension of the two voices of the poem, Snow White and the Evil Queen as well as build listening and speaking skills.  This activity will also encourage cooperation with one another and increase confidence in one’s self.