THE WORLD'S GREATEST: POEMS by J. PATRICK LEWIS

 

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lewis, J. Patrick. 2008. THE WORLD’S GREATEST: POEMS.  Ill. By Keith Graves. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC. ISBN 9780811851305

 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

THE WORLD’S GREATEST: POEMS is not an anthology of the best poems in the world but a book of poems about world records.   Some of the poems depicting world records are  “The Shortest Street”, “The Biggest Potato” and “The Longest Time a Message Was in a Bottle at Sea.” 

 

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

All of the poems are about world records and include information about the world record.  The information often includes the date, location and more specific information about the world record.  The poems are in many styles including limericks and concrete poetry.  For example, “The Tallest Christmas Tree” is written in the shape of a tree.  “The Shortest Street” poem is short and each line is short just like the actual street.   “The Crookedest Building” is a poem about the Leaning Tower of Pisa.   The poem is typed so that it leans!  

 

The illustrations fill the entire page and are as zany as the words.   The bright colors and nice layout will keep the attention of any child.  The pictures were done with acrylic paints and colored pencils. 

 

4.  REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Magazine, 2008.  “Readers drawn in by the clever hook will marvel at the record-holders…”

Kirkus Reviews, 2008. School Library Journal, 2008.  "sprightly, clever collection"

 

Kirkus Review, 2008.  “…a goofy celebration of (mostly) equally zany world records.”

 

5.  CONNECTIONS.   

*Other humorous poetry books:

Lewis, J. Patrick and J. Yolen.  LAST LAUGHS: ANIMAL EPITAPHS.  ISBN 9781580892605ISBN 9781580892605

 

Silvdrstein, Shel.  WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS.  ISBN 0060572345 0060572345