Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems

George, Kristine O'Connell. Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems. ill. Kate Kiesler. Clarion, 2001. ISBN 0-618-04597-X

Kristine George's book brings the adventures of camping to those of us who live in cities or have allergies. (Ah-choo!) The free-verse novels in this book share the experiences of getting dressed in your sleeping back, sitting by the campfire, and enjoying the lake. The overall mood of the book is mellow and calm. While there is very little rhyme in the book, the poems have a sense of rythym and use figurative language to share the experiences of camping. The illustrations are beautiful and accompany the poems nicely. George expresses things in creative and unique ways such as feeling like a caterpiller in your sleeping back and how the moon is eavesdropping on our secrets. This book is a wonderful way to experience camping without getting itchy.

To share these poems, I would go to www.kristinegeorge.com. On her website, she has audio files of several of her poems. I would have the kids sit or lie down and close their eyes. We would listen to a poem and discuss the types of imagery each poem evokes for them. If time allows, I would ask if they have any camping stories, build forts, camp in the back yard, etc. One of the poems I would share is "Owl."

"Owl"

I hear you, Owl.
Your one lone vowel
drops like a stone
in night's dark pond,
an almost-echo
funnels round,
a hollow sound.
I hear you, Owl.
The wind rush
of your wings
shouldered and spread,
pleating the night,
the satin flap
of your feathered cape.
Owl? I hear you.
I'm awake, too.