(Book Cover compliments of Titlewave)
Bibliography
Sidman, Joyce. Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature. Ill. by Beth Krommes. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 2011. ISBN 9780547315836
Review
Newbury award winner Joyce Sidman shines a light on the prevalance of the spiral shape in the natural world. Using free verse poems to describe a few qualities of the spiral within section spreads in the book, Sidman first explores how a spiral is “a snuggling place” as small creatures such as the bull snake and chipmunk curl tightly while sleeping in their homes beneath the ground and then on the next page expand and move about. Next, the spiral is seen in the nautilus as a “growing shape” that “starts small/ and gets bigger,/ swirl by swirl”, and the frond of a lady fern that “unwraps itself,/one/soft/curl/at a time.” The spiral is also described as a strong shape, one that explores the world while hanging on, a clever shape, bold and beautiful as seen in the spiral horns of a merino sheep, arms of an octopus, tail of a sea horse, proboscis of a butterfly, web of an orb spider, heads of flowers, waves of the ocean, and the spiral arms of a galaxy. Sidman’s crisp, simple wording set in large font pop off a clean background inviting the even the youngest readers to enjoy the words on each page and ultimately ends up where the book started with the spiral returning to being a “snuggling shape.” A spread at the end of the book provides interesting additional details about the creatures and objects featured in the book that will encourage readers to explore the natural world further.
Caldecott winning illustrator Beth Krommes uses her scratchboard art medium to create an opulent feast for the eyes that will keep readers coming back to pour over the rich images packed on each spread. Krommes uses line drawing and cross-hatch techniques to scratch off the black-painted surface of the white scratchboard unveiling a wonderland of plants, creatures and other natural objects which then come to life with splashes of warm, earth-toned watercolor. Readers will enjoy the “I-Spy” quality of Krommes attention to minute detail right down to the end papers of the book which are riddled with spiral shapes such as snails, shells, and monkey tails. A book for all ages, Swirl by Swirl reminds readers of the amazing natural wonders waiting to be re-discovered everyday.
Honors
2012 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12
A Junior Library Guild Selection
2011 School Library Journal Best Book
2012 Amazon’s Top Ten Picture Books
2012 ALSC Notable Children’s Book
2011 Hornbook Fanfare, Best Books of 2011
2011 Book Links Lasting Connections
2011 Washington Post Best Children’s Books
2011 Librarian’s Choices
Starred Reviews in Kirkus, School Library Journal, Booklist, Publishers Weekly
Sample from the book (p. 9-11)
A spiral is a strong shape.
Its outer curves
protect
what’s inside.
It knows how
to defend itself.
Another sample from the book (p. 17-21)
A spiral is a clever shape.
It is graceful and strong.
It is bold…
…and beautiful.
Connections
Art
For older elementary and up
Collaborate with the art teacher to create a unit centered around children’s books that use woodblock printing or scratchboard for illustrations. Consider showing books illustrated with woodcuts by Beth Krommes, Mary Azarian, Eric Carle, Barry Moser, Antonio Frasconi, Betsy Bowen, Ashley Bryan, and others.
After studying the styles of a few of the book illustrators, have students create their own engraved prints by carving pieces of linoleum or using scratchboard.
- Show students the scratchboard demonstration video at http://thevirtualinstructor.com/scratchboard-etching.html.Teachers will enjoy the article from Arts and Activities magazine on scratchboard techniques http://www.artsandactivities.com/AAOnline/1207AAOline/A110220.pdf .
- Also, see the woodblock printing techniques of Erin Stead who illustrated the Caldecott award winner A Sick Day for Amos McGee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TuHyU-onkc
- See a linoleum block/Lino cut printing demonstration video at http://youtu.be/Kl4lmTQJ5uM and a 17-color woodblock printing video at http://youtu.be/dliF74ojOho.
Create a display in the school library of books and student artwork utilizing woodblock printing and scratchboard art. Bring in younger classes to enjoy a reading of Swirl by Swirl and art exhibit where older students serve as docents.
English Language Arts :
For older elementary and up
Host “Poetry with Sidman week” and allow student groups to explore another book by Joyce Sidman. Students will create a visual presentation of their book which might include projects such as book trailers, poetry performances, artwork, a class art lesson, original music, poetry analysis, etc.
Sidman, J. (2010). Dark emperor & other poems of the night. Ill. by R. Allen Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, J. (2010). Ubiquitous: Celebrating nature’s survivors. Ill. by B. Prange. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, J. (2009). Red sings from rooftops: A year in colors. Ill. by P. Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, J. (2007). This is just to say: Poems of apology and forgiveness. Ill. by P. Zagarenski Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, J. (2006). Butterfly eyes and other secrets of the meadow. Ill. by B. Krommes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, J. (2006). Meow ruff: A story in concrete poetry. Ill. by M. Berg. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, J. (2005). Song of the water boatman & other pond poems. Ill. by B. Prange. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, J. (2003). The world according to dog: Poems and teen voices. Photos. by D. Mindell. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sidman, J. (2002). Eureka!: Poems about inventors. Ill. by K. Bennett Chavez. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press.
Sidman, J. (2000). Just us two: Poems about animal dads. Ill. by S.Swan. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press.
More Resources:
See author Joyce Sidman’s Reader’s Guide of activities for enjoying Swirl by Swirl http://www.joycesidman.com/SwirlbySwirlTG.html. The site has lesson plans and activities across the curriculum, reading guide, art activities, and tips for how to host a Spiral Party!
Also see the Classroom Bookshelf site for lessons, activities, websites, and other resources to accompany Swirl by Swirl http://classroombookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/09/swirl-by-swirl.html .
See Caldecott winning illustrator Beth Krommes’ site for a look at her other books utilizing scratchboard engravings and painting for illustrations. http://www.bethkrommes.com/illustration/swirl-by-swirl-spirals-in-nature
