Green as a Bean/ Written by: Karla Kuskin and Illustrated by: Melissa Iwai

A Poetic Narrative

Summary

Green as a Bean was originally published in 1960 but delivered a new concept of the book in 2007 by Karla Kuskin. This book is a poetic and colorful imagination of "What could you be"? The young boy guides the readers to colors and shapes with a broad spectrum of moods on each page.


Evaluation of Genre

This is an excellent reading source for children ages 4-8. The author Kuskin does a great job in writing short, poetic lines to attract the readers to the text. The overall book justifies many exciting characteristics about Rhyme and Poetry with creative graphics as well.

Illustrations/Text

The illustrator Melissa Iwai provides artistic features into the text throughout each verse of the poem. The poem vibrantly shows Rhyme, shapes, bold colors, and expressive text on each page. The author and illustrator have an impressive way of putting together many creative concepts of alliteration and rhyme to enhance role-playing for children.

Guided Questions
1. What is the main character talking about in this book?
2. How does the author tell us about objects?
3. What genre has the author written throughout the book?


Class Activity

After the reading is presented out loud, the activity will be to develop a poetic verse that displays a color, shape and emotion that the student would be if he/she could be.This is a good way to allow them to be creative as the author did with the character in the book.

                                       



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Bibliography:
Kuskin, Karla. Green as a Bean. Harper Collins Children's Books. Copyright, 2007.