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Module 14: Mirror Mirror by Marilyn Singer


Genre:
Poetry

Book Summary:
Using poetry, Marilyn Singer retells moments from classic fairy tales.  By using reversible poetry, she is able to tell two sides to the story.  This book takes the art of fractured fairy tales to new heights.

Singer, M. (2010). Mirror mirror: A book of reversible verse. NY: Dutton Children's Books.

 Impressions:
I cannot get over how amazing this book is.  It is difficult to describe the genius in the words and art to someone who has not seen the book.  Despite each poem being only a stanza or two long, it is apparent that much time went into choosing just the right words to tell the story.  The fact that Singer was able to use the exact same words to tell the viewpoint of another character's opposite perspective is an amazing feat.

The artwork is just as clever.  On the surface, the images look basic, but if one looks closer, they will discover that Masse has drawn what some might term a reversible image, managing to showcase both sides of the story in a way that mirrors the text beautifully.

Together, Singer and Masse have managed to breathe life into some of civilization's oldest tales and make them new again.  Readers young and old will delight in their innovation and wit.

Professional Review:
A collection of masterful fairy-tale–inspired reversos—a poetic form invented by the author, in which each poem is presented forward and backward. Although the words are identical in each presentation, changes in punctuation, line breaks and capitalization create two pieces that tell completely different stories. “In the Hood,” for instance, first presents Red Riding Hood’s perspective: “In my hood, / skipping through the wood, / carrying a basket, picking berries to eat— / juicy and sweet / what a treat! / But a girl / mustn’t dawdle. / After all, Grandma’s waiting.” Reversed, we hear from the wolf: “After all, Grandma’s waiting / mustn’t dawdle... / But a girl! / What a treat— / juicy and sweet / picking berries to eat, / carrying a basket, / skipping through the wood / in my ’hood.” Masse’s gorgeous, stylized illustrations enhance the themes of duality and perspective by presenting images and landscapes that morph in delightful ways from one side of the page to the other. A mesmerizing and seamless celebration of language, imagery and perspective. (note on the form) (Poetry. 8-12)

 Kirkus (2010). [Review for the book Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse ].   Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/marilyn-singer/mirror-mirror/

Library Uses:
This book covers both poetry and perspective, bring them together beautifully.  I can see using this book for upper elementary and above to focus on writing multiple perspectives.  After reading aloud a few of the poems, students can choose characters from a their own story to create a reversible poem.  The story could be a fairy tale or something else they are reading or even something from pop culture.

Readalikes:
Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman
My Dog May Be a Genius: Selected Poems by Jack Prelutsky
Amber was Brave, Essie was Smart by Vera B. Williams

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