THIS IS JUST TO SAY by Joyce Sidman

Sidman Poetry

Sidman, Joyce. 2007. THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS. illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 9780618616800.

Mrs. Merz's sixth grade, fictional, class has been assigned to write "Sorry poems" as part of a poetry unit. The students end up liking their apology poems so much, they decide to put them together as a book. Anthony K., a sixth grader, writes the introduction, since it was his idea to include a second part of the book, the responses.

This is a very unique book. Written in various types of poems, some of the poems show sincere apology, some not apologetic at all. Some of the poems are light-hearted, but a few are very deep in meaning, with touchy subjects. The responses are interestingly written as well, with a response matching each original apology poem. Some of the poets were forgiven, but some were not. Just as the apology letters, some of the responses are humorous, while others touch on a subject that brings up deep feelings and emotions. For this reason, I recommend this poetry book for 5th grade and middle school grades. These poems of apology and forgiveness, or unforgiveness, are so well written, that the reader can sense the relationship between the two people.  Especially in one particular poem from a daughter to her absent father.

The illustrations are by Pamela Zagarenski in mixed media on paper and canvas. She uses a variety of collages and computer graphics to add illustrations to each poem throughout the book. The illustrations are magnificently done, delicately outlined paintings, with background done in collage of newspapers, notebook paper, paper bags, the sky, and even school supplies. The pictures are bright and colorful.

Spotlight Poem

to my Mom

Brownies -- Oops!

I smelled them from my room:

a wafting wave of chocolate-ness.

I listened for movement,

ears pricked like a bat's.

I crept down, stepped

over the sleeping dog.

I felt the cold linoleum

on my bare toes.

I saw the warm, thick 

brick of brownies.

I slashed a huge chunk

right out of the middle.

The gooey hunks of chocolate

winked at me as I gobbled them.

Afterward, the pan gaped

like an accusing eye.

My head said, Oops!

but my stomach said, Heavenly.

by Maria

Classroom Activities

Before reading this poem, allow children to discuss things they have done that would make their mom upset. 

Read the poem slowly, while children have their eyes closed, imagining the scent of the brownies, and the cold of the linoleum on the toes. 

Pair this poem with the response poem on p. 32, "Desk Mess -- Oops!" This is a response to Marla from Mom, who accidentally reads a note from Bobby while cleaning Marla's room. 

See and hear Joyce Sidman reading one of the poems from the book on her website.  http://www.joycesidman.com/books/this-is-just-to-say-poems/joyce-reads-to-manga-my.html

Now that the book has been read and introduced, have students choose someone to write their own apology poem to.