Rainbow Soup
Adventures in Poetry

by Brian P. Cleary, Ill. by Neal Layton

What an ingenious book! RAINBOW SOUP, aimed at 3rd -6th graders, is jammed full of funny rhymes, great word choices and entertaining illustrations. Author Brian Cleary is not only a gifted poet, but he is an amazing teacher, as well. Although it is obviously a book of poetry, it is also a book about poetry. Filled with funny poems in the style of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky, Cleary has an explanation at the end of many of his poems informing the reader the type of poem that has just been read and a simple, yet thorough explanation of the form. There is a little bit of everything from couplets and haiku to examples of lesser known types such as villanelle and lantern. Cleary also – without the reader realizing he/she is learning – teaches about iambic pentameter, palindromes, parody and e.e. cummings, etc.

Cleary opens this delightful little collection with “Welcome”: Come romp with me amongst the words./Come play amongst the phrases./Swing and climb from pun to rhyme/And hop through versey mazes./Swim from head to toe-etry. Come beat your drums and shake your bums/And dance the dance of poetry. Included are poems that play not only with words or spoken language but also with the eyes and mind. For example, in an example using symbols and texting as part of the poetry, the reader is treated to “2 LN”:
2 LN, dear sweet LN,
B4 U, now I stand.
2 me U R a QTpie.
Y don’t U take my hand?

The NV of the others
U N I would always B.
I M D perfect 1 4 U-
Just U 8 N C!

Layton’s simple black line drawings with monochromatic coloring applied to the speckled paper add to the sense of whimsy and fun. With “A pinch of puns, a dash of concrete poems, and a dollop of haiku” (front flap), RAINBOW SOUP has all the right ingredients for a delicious serving of poetry for any reader.

Cleary, Brian P. 2004. RAINBOW SOUP ADVENTURES IN POETRY. Ill. Neal Layton. Minneapolis : Carolrhoda Books.