The Teachers and Writers Handbook of Poetic Forms

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books
Review: I use this book all the time! I've had it for over 10 years and find myself continually going back to it. Recently I began writing a poem every morning before getting out of bed, and this book is invaluable for helping wake up my brain and start the creative juices flowing. The forms are clearly defined with good examples given, and the sheer number of forms included is inspiring! If one isn't working for me that morning, I simply flip to another. I've used this book with teenagers and with adults in poetry-writing exercises--it works well with all ages.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books
Review: I use this book all the time! I've had it for over 10 years and find myself continually going back to it. Recently I began writing a poem every morning before getting out of bed, and this book is invaluable for helping wake up my brain and start the creative juices flowing. The forms are clearly defined with good examples given, and the sheer number of forms included is inspiring! If one isn't working for me that morning, I simply flip to another. I've used this book with teenagers and with adults in poetry-writing exercises--it works well with all ages.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book for writers as well as teachers!
Review: This book is my favorite poetry handbook--and I have several--because it covers so many forms in such an clear, undry (i.e. entertaining) way. It's fun to read. I've taught poetry writing at about 40 elementary schools through the Writers in the Schools programs and children's literature at the University of Iowa. The Handbook gives a passel of forms that can be used with kids of all ages. In the children's lit class, the book was a means of showing the wide variety of forms. The undergrad students in that class, most of whom weren't that familiar with poetry, were dazzled by all the possibilities that the book opened up. As a writer, I enjoy reading about the different forms and examples. You can try writing in one of the forms, or try making up a new form based on forms in the book. Either way, you learn, you enjoy, you think, and you write, thanks to the Handbook.

Rating:
Summary: a reference on poetic forms
Review: This is a fabulous reference for poets who want to expand their repertoire. Over seventy poetic forms are covered, and each section includes: an explanation of the form, discussion of any variations on the form, at least one literary example, and reference to other prominent examples and/or poets who use the form.

Rating:
Summary: this is a great reference (for all ages)
Review: this is a great book: well written; comprehensive but not encylopedic; engaging and entertaining. it was intended for junior or senior high school students and some of it's suggetions and examples reflect that BUT please don't let that stop you from buying it. it is simultaneously a good introduction to poetic forms (and poetry in general), a quick reference for the more advanced student, and a source of inspiration for practicing poets.