MESSING AROUND ON THE MONKEY BARS by Betsy Franco

This collection of poems by Betsy Franco, illustrated by Jessie Hartland, is sure to incorporate fun into any classroom or library.  Messing Around on the Monkey Bars and other School Poems for Two Voices is a collection of nineteen poems meant to be read aloud in pairs, or two groups.  The words in the poems are written in different unbold, bold, and more bold to show reader #1 and reader #2 and what should be read together.  What a fun way to invite children to read!

The children in the poems are on the playground skipping rope, in the library being hushed by the librarian, and worrying about a report that is due... tomorrow!?  The collection of poems all have a school theme that young children will be able to relate to.  Some of the poems are written to be performed with two voices, with overlapping lines.  Many of the poems can also be read to music, or as a song.  In the back of the book, the author includes "Adventurous Ways to Read the Poems" (Franco 2009, 46).

The illustrations, done in gouache, by Jessie Hartland provide humor and liveliness to the poems, showing the children in action.  The illustrations are done in cartoon like details, which will appeal to children.  On the poem titled "Lunch Money", the children are running to get in line, and one boy has his pockets turned out with a look of horror on his face as he realizes he has no lunch money.  "Anatomy Class" is a poem describing the objects in the room, personifying the objects by giving them faces and legs and arms.  The illustrations on this page make the objects in the poem come to life.

Franco, Betsy. Messing Around on the Monkey Bars and other School Poems for Two Voices. 

Illustrated by Jessie Hartland. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. 2009.  ISBN  9780763631741

Reviews for Messing Around on the Monkey Bars

"A cheeky romp through elementary school children's academic and social lives." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Teachers and librarians looking for readers' theater materials will be delighted with this collection.... this book will please the class poets, performers, and clowns alike."              -- School Library Journal 

"Franco's jaunty rhythms are well suited to reading aloud and she has designed these poems well for the back-and-forh of two voices or two groups." -- Poetry for Children

Awards for Messing Around on the Monkey Bars

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books

Other poem collections by Betsy Franco

Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems by Teens, editor Jen Yoon
Pond Circle (McElderry Books 2009)
Math Poetry: Linking Language and Math in a Fresh Way (Good Year Books 2006)


Teachers and School librarians may find this teacher's guide interesting and useful.