Module 2: Book Review 6-Florian Poetry

 Friends and Foes: Poems About Us All

Bibliography

Florian, Douglas. (2018) Friends and Foes: Poems About Us All. New York: Beach Lane Books. ISBN 9781442487963

Summary  

In this spectacular collection of heartfelt poems about the highs and lows of friendship, Douglas Florian does it with fun rhymes and childlike illustrations.  Experience best friends, new friends, old friends, and even imaginary friends with Florian.  Share in poems that capture the challenges and triumphs of friendships and enjoy reading some of his poems with two people. Be immersed in the playful artwork with crayon drawn and brightly colored pictures of silly figures that can be identifiable to children of that age.  Kids will genuinely enjoy this book especially those who are just beginning to navigate the aspects of friendship.

Analysis

In Friends and Foes, Douglas Florian does a marvelous job at writing on how to get along with peers and making friends.  With an overall theme of friendship throughout the book, Florian recognizes the troubles and triumphs these friendships can have.  With topics such as lying, jealousy, moves, and how to be a friend, like in the poem Friendship is a Flower, children are taught the complexities of friendship through simpler terms that is easier to understand.  He also writes with entertaining and fun rhymes and has opportunities for two voices to be heard in his poems. 

Not only are the poems appropriate and relatable to children, but the illustrations are too.  The artwork looks to be drawn and colored by children with the use of crayons and colored pencils.  Kids of all ages are sure to be engaged with the book through the appealing and lively colorful illustrations.

This is a fantastic book that is very relatable to readers who experience the roller coaster rides of friendships.  The book is sweet and truthful and a lovely share for children of all ages. 

Excerpt

How Do You Say “Friend”?

In Spanish they say “amigo.”
The Danish word is “ven.”
Italians say “amico.”
In Afrikaans it’s “vriend.”
 
The Maltese say “habib.”
While French folk say “ami.”
The Irish word is “cara.”
Swahili “rafiki.”
 
In different countries friendship
may have a different name.
But though the spelling’s different,
the meaning is the same.
 
Use

This poem is a great jump start to a discussion about diversity amongst one another.  Allow students to talk about their heritage and have them share similarities and differences with one another.  As an extension, allow students to bring in pictures or personal possessions that represent their culture.