Toasting Marshmallows

BIBLIOGRAPHY
George, Kristin O’Connell. TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS CAMPING POEMS. Ill. by Kate Kiesler. New York: Clarion Books, 2001.

PLOT SUMMARY
TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS is a book of poems all about anything that could happen on a camping trip. It starts with a poem about the beginning of every camping trip, setting up the tent. Throughout the progression of the book many things become vivid such as a doe, the family dog, the campfire, a sleeping bag, a chipmunk, storms, mosquitoes, and most importantly toasted marshmallows. By the end of the poems the tent is pulled back up and the family is back home reminiscing.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS is a topical collection of poems. This thematic collection is all about the subject of camping. The most compelling aspect of this book is the imagery. The author creates a vivid picture for the reader with the use of language. The illustrator allows helps the imagery aspect by creating elaborate, colorful pictures depicting what each poem is about.

The rhythms of the poems vary. Some poems have short lines that create a staccato rhythm the reads easily and quickly. Other poems include longer more deliberate lines that flow smoothly. The words and feelings go together as if they are meant to be read aloud.

The poems create different feelings. The poems “The Doe” and “By Myself” are poems that create feelings of peacefulness and longing while “Sleeping Bag” and “Breakfast” are silly funny poems that make you smile.

The arrangement of the poems in the book creates a feeling of the entire camping experience. The poems are placed in such a way that start with the beginning of the camping experience and follow throughout until the very end. The best way to read this book is cover to cover.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
The pleasure and surprise of going camping are conveyed in eighteen brief poems. . . .Richly colored paintings enhance the verses. – HORN BOOK GUIDE

George has penned 30 sublimely simple poems that capture the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations of a family's camping trip, from pitching the tent to pulling up stakes and returning home. A terrific idyll for summertime sharing, even for confirmed couch potatoes.
SLJ

CONNECTIONS
This book has so many connections that can be made in the classroom that the author created a website for it. http://www.kristinegeorge.com/teachers_guide_toasting_marshmallows.html

On the website the author provides lessons and ideas for young writers. Specifically she gives a lesson plan for teaching students how to write a cinquain poem. She gives “Sleeping Outside” as an example from her book.

Also provided on the website are ideas on how to incorporate the camping theme into other areas of curriculum. She provides resources and activities that go along with her book.