WATER SINGS BLUE: OCEAN POEMS written by Kate Coombs and illustrated by Meilo So

Review by Christi De Leon

a.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Coombs, Kate. Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems. Ill. by Meilo So. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2012. ISBN 9780811872843

b. SUMMARY & CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book of sea poetry consists of 23 poems, all written by Kate Coombs. Various aspects of the ocean are described. Specifics include the sand, waves, the tide, ocean life, and much more.

This collection of short poems takes readers on a mesmerizing visit to the seashore and beyond. Word choice plays a huge part in making each of these poems absolutely amazing. Figurative language, for instance, is rich in this collection. In the poem “Shipwreck” the sunken ship is described as “the bones of twenty trees.” Similes and metaphors are found throughout the book as well. Many poems are also written from the point of view of the subject, each with their own expressions. Evidence of personification is found in poems such as “Octopus Ink” in which the octopus is an author who autographs the water. Each poem seems to sing its own song in an appealing way. Most poems have natural rhymes that allow the poems to coast freely from page to page.

The poems and illustrations are a wonderful pair in this collection. The illustrations consist of astonishing watercolors, and many images have intricate details. Each poem begins with a colored, cursive title. Poems are placed around the large illustrations in a pleasant arrangement. This book is a perfect choice for those who love poetry and the ocean. Going to the beach is a familiar childhood experience for most, therefore students are likely to make their own connections. This book would also be a great pick to read aloud to accompany a science lesson about the ocean. Overall, Water Sings Blue allows readers to escape into the beauty of the sea and is well worth the read!

c. POEM TO SPOTLIGHT & SHARE

“Blue Whale”

Rolling your belly like a tide,

sweeping the little fish aside,

billow and swell of midnight blue,

you’re as grand as a planet

passing through.

This poem demonstrates many qualities of the poems throughout the book. “Blue Whale” has a simple, natural rhyming pattern. Examples of similes include “rolling your belly like a tide,” and “you’re as grand as a planet passing through.” Word choices like “billow” and “swell” also help depict the immensity of the whale as it moves through the water.

This poem specifically could be shared aloud as an accessible way to set the stage for learning about the Blue Whale, the world’s largest animal. Pairing this poem with a nonfiction book on Blue Whales would present the topic through two different approaches while also giving students the opportunity to make connections.