IT'S RAINING LAUGHTER by Nikki Grimes

This blog was created for a TWU course.


Bibliography

Grimes, Nikki. 1997. It's Raining Laughter. Ill by Myles C. Pinkney. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

ISBN# 0-8037-2003-3


Summary
This book has different poems that are from kids perspectives. They are about being kids and growing up. They are some about getting teased at school, one about being nervous, laughing, and a few about where they got their names.

Analysis

The title of the book helps to give an idea of the the poems inside will hold. It lets you know that the poems will be about laughter. Although some of he poems talk about being picked on the majority of them are about good, fun things about growing up. The book contains poetry in different forms. For example, It's Raining Laughter, Where'd You Get Them Names, At the Library, Sideways Beauty and The Laughing Bug are all rhyming poems. There are a few poems in free verse. This helps to appeal to a variety of readers. The pictures are an excellent addition to the book. The pictures of the smiling children help to bring the messages of the poems to the front.



Review Excerpts

School Library Journal review - "A harmonious blend of words and pictures."


Connections
I would use this book to encourage my students to write their own poem about growing up. I would have different students read the different poems out of the story. Then I would have them think about how the poems related to themselves and growing up. Then I would ask them to write their own poem that has something to do with growing up. Whether it is about laughing, getting picked on, whatever they choose.