Module 9 - Fold Me a Poem

Book Cover Image

Book Summary

Fold Me a Poem narrates the story of the characters created by the young boy in the illustrations. Many animals are created using origami. Some of the animals interact with each other. Some get injured. Most kids play with their stuffed animals, but this young boy plays with the origami animals that he created.

Written by Kristine O'Connell George.
Illustrated by Lauren Stringer

APA Reference of Book

George, K. O. (2005). Fold me a poem. Orlando, FL: Harcourt.

Impressions

The short poems colorfully enhance the illustrations. The beautiful illustrations start with the endpapers that were created to resemble origami paper. The shading and texture of each picture makes it seem as if each one were really made with paper. Each poem helps identify each animal or their actions. This is a very easy introduction to poetry for young readers. I wish that there were instructions at the end of the book so that the reader would be able to create their own origami animal after reading the book. 

Professional Review

K-Gr 2-- George's 32 brief poems focus on a boy as he folds a series of origami animals and imagines their thoughts and possible activities. Some of the selections exhibit a creative spark, while others tend to take their meaning from the illustrations, which are the real strength of the presentation. The vividly colored acrylics depict the boy actively engaged in play with his creations, and the details that Stringer provides infuse the verses with both energy and humor. Her illustrator's note offers insight into her own efforts to master the art of origami. No patterns or instructions are included, although a useful bibliography is appended to guide those wishing to learn the craft themselves.

Oliff, G. (2005, Mar.). Fold me a poem. School Library Journal, 51(3), 193.

Library Uses

This book could be used to introduce an origami makerspace. After reading the book, the group of students could be led through the creation of an origami figure. Then the supplies could be out for students to use them later at the maker station.