ANNOTATION

A collection of twenty poems written by kids and klutzes, secret admirers and detractors, friends, enemies, and skeptics to the objects of their affection--or aversion.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this bold and fanciful book, secret admirers, klutzes, friends and enemies, moms and dads are the objects of sublime and witty love notes. Each page presents sumptuous valentines created from highly creative collages and paintings by acclaimed artist Lisa Desimini, making this an unforgettable visual feast. Full color.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Not just the run-of-the-mill Valentine's Day sentiments find expression in 20 poems, styled as anonymous notes. Each epistle begins with a "Dear ---" salutation; Adoff (Slow Dance Heart Break Blues) fills in the blank with terms denoting school crushes ("Ms. Back Row," "New Boy"), family members ("Hard Working Dad," "Little Sis"), pets and fairy-tale figures ("Dear Prince:... We can chase those dragons together. Your Potential Princess"). Most of the letters show kindness, but some allow for mixed feelings: one spread, illustrated with mirror images of a teacher, includes notes to both "Mrs. Nicely" and her apparent alter-ego, "Mrs. McNasty." Replies seldom appear, although a smitten "Frosty the Snow Boy" receives a chilly rejection from "Your Not-Yet Friend: Icicle Eyes"). Desimini (My House; In a Circle Long Ago) contributes inventive, moody collages of found objects, handmade paper, fuzzy cloth, photos and paint. In these soft compositions, faces are often obscured or eyes averted; Desimini's artwork, like Adoff's poetry, suggests secrecy and shyness. The letter-writers here are alone with their feelings, and much of the pleasure of this volume arises from Adoff's and Desimini's abilities to evoke not only these everyday feelings but the more complicated sense of privacy and mystery they summon. All ages. (Jan.)

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6Each of the 20 selections in this collection is a brief heartfelt message written as a "shaped speech" poem and signed by an anonymous sender. Some of the poems are offered as contrasting pairs, such as letters to Mrs. Nicely and Mrs. McNasty (the same teacher as the illustrations show) and the exchange between Playground Snow Girl and Playground Snow Boy. All of the poems offer insightful, humorous approaches to those affairs of the heart that inspire children to send love notes. One poem, for example, is addressed to Dear Fill-In-Your-Own-Name and signed by Your Special Love: Mr. One-and-Only, a student who is taking advantage of access to a copy machine to send valentines to all of the objects of his affection. Desimini uses collages, photographs, sculptured models, oil paintings, and mixed-media computer graphics to create images that are as intriguing and diverse as Adoff's poems. This collection will be fun to share and may even inspire some kids to create special valentines and love letters of their own.Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6--A packet of poems that exudes affection and humor. Imaginative collages ensure that each heartfelt message is artfully delivered. (March)

Kirkus Reviews

A collection of love poems spoken in the distinct voice of a sibling, schoolmate, student, playmate, secret admirer, and even the self.

First-person narrators find expression in short, unrhymed verses that sensitively reveal their innermost thoughts and hidden yearnings. A student who signs his poem "First Seat First Row" is the awkward, bumbling admirer of "Ms. Back Row"; a quiet-as-a- mouse pupil admires a teacher; a grandson finds himself full of love for a grandmother; even "when all your [cookie] jars are empty." Every poem is an imagined, would-be valentine, full of hope, that satisfies readers when it finds its way to the intended, and breaks their hearts when it is rejected or rebuffed. Desimini's mixed-media illustrations make artful use of sculptured models, collages, oil paintings, photographs, and computer graphics: A cut- paper mouse bashfully hides under a desk, a snowman with a basketball for a head awaits a game of one-on-one, and a hard- working Mr. Potato Head father snores on the couch, loved offstage by a son wearing earplugs. Every spread stands alone, a vignette of immeasurable emotion.