DARK EMPEROR & OTHER POEMS OF THE NIGHT by Joyce Sidman

Bibliography

Sidman, Joyce. 2010. Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. Ill. Rick Allen. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

Critical Analysis

Sidman uses a variety of forms, rhythms, and rhyming patterns for each poem in this book. Some have a very strict rhythm and rhyme to them, while others encapsulate the true meaning of what free verse it. Each combination of form, rhythm, and rhyme reflects the subject matter and the mood that is being created within that poem. Some poems are organized into couplets or quatrains. The title poem is a form poem that takes the shape of the "Dark Emperor" and his prey.

While this book of poems would be perfect to use with just the poems, Sidman also includes a non-fiction element that would be great to integrate into a science lesson about nocturnal animals.

Allen's illustrations are detailed in a way that clearly shows what these creatures and their surroundings look like, but also includes a bit of whimsy and fantasy that leaves some room for the reader's own knowledge and imagination.

Example

The book would integrate well into any science classroom that discusses animal characteristics and relationships, but could stand up as a poetry book in any language arts class as well. I love the introduction poem because it invites the reader to prepare all of her senses before diving into the rest of the book. The language used is powerful and makes the subject matter come to life right before the reader.

Welcome to the Night

To all of you who crawl and creep,
who buzz and chirp and hoot and peep,
who wake at dusk and throw off sleep:
Welcome to the night.

To you who make the forest sing,
who dip and dodge on silent wing,
who flutter, hover, clasp, and cling:
Welcome to the night!

Come feel the cool and shadowed breeze,
come smell your way among the trees,
come touch rough bark and leathered leaves:
Welcome to the night.

The night's a sea of dappled dark,
the night's a feast of sound and spark,
the night's a wild, enchanted park.
Welcome to the night!