New Poetry Book Review — Theme in Yellow — Sandburg and Feeney

 Theme in Yellow

Written by Carl Sandburg and Illustrated by Tatyana Feeney

Bibliography:

Feeney, T., & Sandburg, C. (2023). Theme in yellow: A classic ode to autumn. Cameron Kids. 

Summary:

Theme in Yellow is an illustrated version of Carl Sandburg's single poem of the same name. Feeney's illustrations add a visual element to the story which is that of the events of autumn and Halloween as told through the eyes of a pumpkin. 

Analysis:

The book itself is short and sweet, as it's only one poem, so this analysis will undoubtedly follow suit. I had never heard this Carl Sanderson poem before reading this book, but it comes with feelings of nostalgia. Halloween and fall is my favorite time of year, so it was great to read this. Feeney's illustrations add to this feeling with the mix of child-like character drawings and more complex backgrounds. I think this book would be a great way to introduce very young children to larger collections of poetry. 

Excerpt:

Theme in Yellow

I spot the hills

With yellow balls in autumn.

I light the prairie cornfields

Orange and tawny gold clusters

And I am called pumpkins. 

On the last of October

When dusk is fallen

Children join hands

And circle round me

Singing ghost songs

And love to the harvest moon;

I am a jack-o'-lantern

With terrible teeth

And the children know

I am fooling. 

Activity Idea:

Since Sanderson's poem has an unusual point of view, it would be a great idea to have the kids pick their favorite season or holiday and write a poem from the perspective of an inanimate object that's famous for that holiday. For example, for Christmas it could be a gingerbread man, or for winter they could choose to write a poem as a snowman.