Florian, Douglas. 1998. INSECTLOPEDIA. Ill. by Douglas Florian. San Diego: Harcourt. ISBN 0-15-201306-7
Review:
INSECTLOPEDIA is a collection of twenty-one poems that uses rhymes to describe different types of arthropods such as the inchworm, praying mantis, weevils, and even ticks. Some of Douglas Florian's poems describe the insect’s physical features, while others discuss insect habitats, diet, or natural inclination.
The verse form in Florian's book is as varied as the bugs of which he writes. Florian's use of shaped or pattern poems enhances his writings of the inchworm, whirligig beetles, and termites. He creates a dramatic effect with his use of alliteration, rhythms, and rhyme. Florian incorporates rhymes at the ends of lines. Additionally, he plays with sound and meter, word choice, and even the placement of words on the page to create poems that entertain readers while evoking an emotional response. His use of action words in his description of the whirligig beetles paints a vivid visual image for readers.
The humor in each illustration adds to the overall appeal. As each selection is given its own page, Florian was able to use a large type and provide his readers with full-page watercolors. His portraits incorporate the anthropomorphic qualities he gives his insects, including the daddy longlegs lifting weights, the inchworm inching his way down the highway, and a waterbug reading his Father's Day card. The insects appear engaged in the action of the story and shape the mood with first person dialogue. Florian created his illustrations using collage and watercolor on primed brown paper bags to create effective and engaging visions.
Highlighted Poem:
The Termites
Our
high and
mighty
termite
mound
arises
far above
the ground,
and just as
deep, grows
underground.
Our nest is
blessed to be
immense. It gives
us all a firm
defense, superior
to any fence. It
shields us from our
enemies. It keeps us
cooler, by degrees.
From floods and droughts
it guarantees. A prize
nobody will assign in
architectural design, but
still our hill suits us just fines.
Possible Uses:
Teachers could use this poem to begin a unit on habitats. As students study the habitats of different animals, they could turn their research into a poem. Students could illustrate their poem as well just as Douglas Florian does.
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