Module 5: Book Review 15-Sidman Poetry

                            Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors

Bibliography

Sidman, J. & Prange, B. (2010) Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors. New York: Houghton Mufflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN 9780618717194

Summary  

Embark in a journey through time of more than four billion years ago when Earth was newly formed and discover some of the most remarkable species that have stood the test of time.  Through poetry and factual science information, readers learn why some species like the shark and beetle are still with us today and found everywhere on planet Earth.  In the fourteen different poems about these species, enjoy the variety of poetic structures Sidman uses like diamante and concrete as well as the linocut illustrations that are hand-colored with watercolors by Prange.  This book is ideal for the poetry loving, science fanatic and perfect for any classroom and library.

Analysis

The book Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors is unlike any poetry piece you come across or think about when looking for poetry.  Upon first glance of the book, you notice a large gecko, almost in a 3-d effect, eating a fly.  The title, Ubiquitous, is bolded in red above the gecko and the words, Celebrating Nature’s Survivors are written below the stomach of the creature.  You pause and think, “how can a gecko be celebrated,” and open the front cover.  Immediately, there’s an eye-catching, swirling timeline, filled with colors, that introduces the Earth’s formation of over 4 billion years ago.  As you follow through the timeline, you notice species like bacteria, mollusks, and sharks, and begin to get curious on what this poetry book is about. 

In this book, there are fourteen different poems about Earth’s species that have existed for over millions of years and continue to live today.  The variety of poems Sidman has included in this book, like diamante, concrete, and free verse, make this book even more appealing to readers.  Providing a good mix of poems gives the reader options to try one on their own.  I especially enjoyed the concrete poem, Sharks, as the poem absolutely reflected the subject, with lines forming the outline of a shark and mirroring each part of the fish. From “snout bristling teeth” that forms the mouth of the creature to “power-pumping bursts/ long lazy strokes” for the shape of the tail, this poem had adventure and fun written all throughout it.  Even the title blended in, making it a fun allusion for the reader to discover. 

This book has a plethora of science information that would be ideal for an older audience.  Students ages 10 to 16 will discover a poem, passage of amazing facts, and exquisite illustrations on each page of the book and will genuinely enjoy learning about life and evolution with this text.  Also included with each poem is the scientific name, size, and life of each species that adds to the information included in the book.  As readers conclude the text, there is a glossary of science terms and an author and illustrator’s note, all of which help support the material that is presented in this book.

Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors, is an adventurous and engaging book.  Readers learn fascinating facts about some of the Earth’s species that have lived over billions of years and have a good time doing it.  This is the perfect book to add to any science classroom and poetry collection. 

Excerpt

First Life
(a diamante)

                 Bacteria

              ancient, tiny

    teeming, mixing, melding

strands curled like ghostly hands

    winking, waving, waking

             first, miraculous

                    Life 

Use

With this poem students will create their own diamante choosing a subject of their choice.  The teacher will explain the components of this type of poem using First Life.  Allow students to illustrate a picture and present if they wish to.