Title: Mirror, mirror: a book of reversible verse
Author: Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Josée Masse
Publisher: New York: Dutton (Penguin Group), 2010.
Genre: Picture book, poetry/fairy tales
Audience Age: 5 to 8 years
Themes/topics: Poetry, fairy tales
Opening Sentences:
In Reverse
Who
says
it’s true –
down
is
the only view?
If you believe that,
this poem
will challenge
you.
Up
is
something new.
Synopsis: This book is, plainly put, fascinating. It is a fairytale book with a difference. (Not a fractured fairytale book.) Each double-page spread features a dual illustration on one page, each side flowing into the other, showing a different side of the story. (The cover illustration is repeated — upside down — for the first poem, which is quoted above.) The facing page is the text page. One half of the page is white, the other half is pale yellow. On one half is printed a poem, meant to be read down the page (as in the example above.) On the other half, you find the same words, only in reverse, line by line. To get the idea, without me quoting too much of the text, read the poem above in reverse, line by line.
The Cinderella poem looks at the story from Cinderella’s point of view, but read in reverse, it gives the stepsisters’ point of view. The reverse of the Sleeping Beauty poem gives the Prince’s side, and so on.
It gives fresh perspectives on the stories, while at the same time the reader marvels at the way the poems are constructed — it would not be easy to write something that makes as much sense backwards as forwards, while giving a different and intriguing perspective on the same story. It is no surprise to learn that this book is included in several publications’ “Best Children’s Books of the Year” listings, as well as being named an ALA Notable Book.
Activities/Resources: This book could lead to a discussion of palindromes, which have some similarities to the technique used for the book. Palindromes (words or sentences which read the same forward and back, such as the familiar “A man, a plan, a canal — Panama”) are fascinating for kids and adults alike. Kids could maybe start with word or short sentence palindromes, then try for a poem-reverso such as Singer has written. Fortunately, the poems are not word for word reversals, but rather line for line.
The publisher, Penguin, has a grade 3-4 Core Curriculum lesson plan on its website.
On TeachingBooks.net, they have compiled a listing of online resources for this book.
Availability: Readily available in hardcover, online or check with your local independent bookseller.
Every Friday, bloggers join together to share picture book reviews and resources, thanks to author Susanna Leonard Hill’s brainchild, “Perfect Picture Book Fridays.” Susanna then adds the books (and links to the reviews) to a comprehensive listing by subject on her blog. Find the entire listing at her “Perfect Picture Books.”
I saw this book earlier – and thought it was interesting, but a bit confusing at first. Still, I like the whole mirror image thing… it gets kids thinking about the way we look at things.
Yes, it takes some thought at first, but it’s great for learning that there’s more than one side to every story.
Tough to say reversible verse! This is a really pretty book too!
It’s fascinating how the illustrations add to the whole reversible experience.
Tough to say reversible verse! This is a really pretty book too! (sorry for all the exclamation marks – too much coffee!)
I use a lot of exclamation marks all the time, and I don’t even drink coffee! 😉
It sounds like a unique book. I like “fresh perspectives” on fairy tales. The illustrations must really be beautiful and fun to study. Nice selection.
I’d never experienced a book quite like it, both in the concept and the working out of that concept. Thanks, Pat.
I LOVE this book! Now, I need to find it somewhere in our house… 😉 Great job explaining the unique verse! 😀
AHA! Another word-person who loves the book! (I bet there are tons of books in your house…) 😉
I’ve seen this book in magazines, but haven’t seen it in person. It looks and sounds really cool. I don’t know if my brain can handle it, but I’m anxious to find out! Thanks for sharing and explaining!
It’s a very cool book, Rhythm! I’m glad you’re going to give it a try.
I do love this poetry book.Great choice, Beth. I believe you are a Marilyn Singer fan as I am!
Thanks, Joanna. It’s an amazing book — how she wrote those poems boggles my mind!
So glad you sent me the link for this! I love poetry but am woefully uneducated in that genre. I will look for Mirror, Mirror.
I’m glad you got to the post to see the book! Hope you find it and enjoy it!
Funny you should post this as I also had a PB about a Mirror. I returned it to the library as I found it, let say “different”. It showed a bored boy stepping through the mirror and seeing everything differently. For example; a dog taking a man for a walk, etc.In the end the boy was happy to step back through the mirror and have things as they should be.
Amazing how they make you see things differently. Yours looks very interesting.
Hmmm… the book you found does sound “different”… I think you’d like this one. It stands things on their head, literally and figuratively!
This is a fascinating book. . .to read, AND to write. Amazing! I’m checking this one out at my local library to read for myself. Thanks Beth!
Thanks, Jarm — I think you’ll like this one!
What an interesting concept. Must check it out.
Enjoy!
My six-year-old really enjoyed this book of reverso poems. We also got MOM AND DAD ARE PALINDROMES (Erik’s recommendation) to study reverso words. Great fun!
Oh, I must get MOM AND DAD ARE PALINDROMES — those things fascinate me. I’m definitely a word-nerd!
Wow. This looks fascinating. I hope my library has this one. I’ve found two on the PPBF list and haven’t found two. Fingers crossed this one has me looking up!
Yay! It’s available!
This week’s PPBF certainly sent me to the library website on several occasions, too. Hope you find Mirror Mirror!
Yes, yes, yes. This is an excellent book. Spread the word!
Thanks for the hearty endorsement, Joanne!
My girls and I loved this book. So amazing.
Oooh, glad you and your girls liked it, too! Amazing is definitely the word for it. Thanks, Darshana!
This is a definitely YES, Beth! What an amazing find…I will have to search out a copy! Working on picture book stories gives me such an appreciation for the difficulty entailed in writing this one. Great review and wonderful activities!
Hope you find a copy — I think you’ll find it as fascinating as I did. Thanks, Vivian!
Wow! This looks fascinating and CLEVER! It makes my head spin to think about trying to write something that makes sense on different levels backwards and forwards! Thanks for sharing this one, Beth – it looks great!