Joyce Sidman, Author
Pamela Zagarenski, Illustrator
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sidman, Joyce. 2009. RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS: A YEAR IN COLORS. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780547014944.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
RED SINGS FROM THE TREETOPS: A YEAR IN COLORS is a collection of poems about the changing seasons and their colors. Each poem’s focus is on how colors appear in nature throughout the year. As the poems move through the four seasons, color is shown to shift with the time, weather, and environment.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This set of poetry collection uses sensory language to connect the reader to nature in an emotional way. There is personification of color through giving them voices, actions, and personalities throughout the book. It allows for the season and colors to be more engaging and accessible to the reader. The structure allows for each poem to stand alone but also contribute to the larger theme.
The illustrations of this book bring the meaning to what the words are trying to convey. There is a dreamlike imagery with details patterns and symbolic objects that create a whimsical atmosphere. It is an expansion of the author’s intentions. Both the images and poetry work together to create meaning. It does its duty of encouraging the reader to understand through observation and reading.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
- Spirituality and Practice: “Red Sings from Treetops acknowledges the beauty all around us and the beauty within our imaginations. No wonder it is a Caldecott Honor Book Award!”
5. CONNECTIONS
- This book can be used in the science classroom or art connection lessons about the seasons and colors in nature. Student can be challenged by creating their own poem on a season of their choice.
- Related books:
Sidman, Joyce. WINTER BEES
Florian, Douglas. SUMMERSAULTS
The Literary Compass 