[CALIBK12] Mr. Mike +Beete Bug Books

[pamanddoug]

This was the "Industry Reviews" section found on half.com regarding Mr.
Mike's Swimming in chocolate:

Industry Reviews
Gr 2-6 A poetry collection with uneven rhythms, strained rhyme, and
childlike black-and-white drawings that might have been doodled on the back
of homework. The topics, tone, and even the type font seem like direct
knockoffs of Shel Silverstein's books. Poems about balding men, circles and
squares, and bad manners will seem strangely familiar to readers of his
work. Others, such as one about what animals grow up to be and another on
the days of the week, appear to be direct imitations of quality poems by
other poets. Although the cover lists testimonials by children who loved the
poems, libraries would be better served by the many better titles available.
Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Lopate 



On 8/24/07 7:30 PM, "pamanddoug" <pamanddoug at cox.net> wrote:

> Dear Joanne,
> 
> When I was at Wood Canyon Elementary in Capistrano U.S.D., we had Mr. Mike
> as a speaker.  If you can find a copy of his book, Swimming in Chocolate, on
> half.com, you can judge the quality of his poetry for yourself.
> 
> I did not appreciate the fact that he talked about "swimming in pee,
> swimming in chocolate," in reference to swimming pools.  Of course, the kids
> enjoyed it because they seem to like the bathroom humor aspects.
> 
> Why don't you buy a used copy of one of his poetry books and judge for
> yourself.  His presentations are free.  However, his poetry seemed trite to
> me...not to up to the level of Shel Silverstein, Bruce Lansky, or Jack
> Prelutsky's poetry, who would not have been free.
> 
> Pam Carrie
> Chapman Hills Elementary
> Orange U.S.D.
> 
> 
> On 8/24/07 9:10 AM, "Joanne Ligamari" <Joanne.Ligamari at rlusd.org> wrote:
> 
>> My principal gave me a flyer from Mr. Mike and his "free assemblies" -
>> according to the flyer he's visited schools throughout California. Has anyone
>> had him? Heard of him? Have information regarding his assemblies? Any
>> information you could provide me would be most appreciated. Thanks, Joanne
>> Ligamari
>> 
>> Joanne Ligamari
>> Library Media Teacher
>> Rio Linda School District
>>  Librarian is a service occupation,
>> gas station attendant of the mind.
>>                                      Richard Powers
>> 
>> Regency Park Elementary
>> 916 566 1660 Ext 1903
>> Woodridge Elementary
>> 916 566 1650 Ext. 6139
>> 
>> 
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> 
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