Kristine O'Connell George

I. BIBLIOGRAPHY

George, Kristine O’Connell. 2001. TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS: CAMPING POEMS. Ill. By Kate Kiesler. New York: Clarion Books.

II. PLOT SUMMARY

This collection of poetry is centered on a family’s experiences camping together. From setting up the tent to hiking and roasting marshmallows, the experiences shared in the poetry are universal camping experiences. At the conclusion of the trip, the poems reflect on pulling up the tent’s stakes and finally, returning home. The girl in the story enjoys the smell left on her flannel shirt from the camping trip, and leaves it unwashed so she can remember the happy memories the smell brings back to her.

III. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS is a delightful, rich collection of poems about camping and the outdoors. The poems utilize sense imagery to bring the outdoors to life, and the illustrations accompanying the poems are realistic acrylic paintings. The poems are varied in their style, and focus on one aspect of the camping trip. In “Sleeping Bag,” George uses the metaphor of the sleeping bag as a caterpillar. The illustration adds to the metaphor. In the opening poem, “The Tent,” the poem is written in a pyramid, reflecting the shape of a tent. This concrete poem is simple, yet captures the essence of arriving at a campsite and pitching a tent. Another concrete poem is in the shape of a moon.

Other poems utilize repetition to create a rhythm. In “Wild Mustard,” the word yellow is repeated throughout, and the accompanying double page illustration is filled with bright yellow flowers, emphasizing the image in the poem. This poem and many others awaken the senses with the sense imagery language. In “The Best Paths,” repetition is utilized again, with each stanza starting with the words “the best paths.” The sweeping illustration accompanying the poem beautifully captures the almost invisible path discovered by chance.

This collection of poetry is varied, which adds interest to the collection as a whole. The illustrations and poems work well together, and the illustrations add to the imagery in the poems. The subject matter is universal in nature, making it enjoyable and relevant to many age groups from children to adults. This collection of poetry made me nostalgic for my many weekends spent camping with my family. It is a collection to be enjoyed again and again, and perhaps even read around a campfire.

IV. REVIEW EXCERPTS

“The poems are varied and inventive, replete with marvelous images and universal truths.” –School Library Journal Starred Review/Best Books of the Year

"…fine collection brings the outdoors up close...direct, satisfying poems that will engage kids at school, across the curriculum, or at home." -- Booklist, ALA, Starred Review

V. CONNECTIONS

**The poem “Two Voices in a Tent at Night” could be performed by two children or two groups of children.
**Other poems are ideal for a line around, such as “Storm” or “Owl.”