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Reviews by Etta Wilson
Do you find your child secretly scribbling little verses now?
Drawing hearts with initials pierced together by an arrow?
Coming home from school with red-paper-and-doily creations?
Even more, do you remember when you were scribbling little hearts and making heart-and-doily creations?
In Love Letters Arnold Adoff writes valentine messages that capture this secret message syndrome for both young middle-graders and their parents. Funny without being corny (none of the "Roses are red, violets are blue" stuff here), sincere without being maudlin, they capture kids' feelings for a variety of people. There are messages to Mom, Gram, Older Brother, Old Cat, etc. as well as the "New Boy," "Tall Girl at the Front Table," and "Teacher."
Adoff, a poet, is known for his "shaped speech" style of writing, and all the letters have unique formats that lend to their understanding. Their poetry is found more in alliteration and measured repetition than in rhyme. It's the combination of wit and tender feeling in the notes that make us smile. For example: "Dear Hard Working Dad: Even when you snore on the couch, I am proud with a full heart for you. Your son with earplugs."
My favorite is shown printed on the side of a copy machine with copies flying through the air: "Dear Fill-In-Your-Own-Name: Please excuse this printed valentine but I really do like at least ten girls in our grade and maybe a few more, and my dad has this excellent copying machine in his office. Your special love, Mr. One-And-Only." Now there's a guy who likes to keep his options open!
Lisa Desimini's illustrations are as unique as the letters. She created sculptured models, collages, oil paintings, photographs, and mixed media computer graphics to give each love note its own particular style. Some are more effective than others -- I really like the chalkboard featuring a large 1 + 1 = (the poem). The two 1s are characterized as a boy and a girl. Adoff's love note is signed "Your Only Correct Answer: Only Me."
Adoff knows about this valentine stuff. He was a teacher and counselor in New York City public schools for 12 years. "I just try to create real kids and say real things for real readers," he comments. He has written 25 books of poetry for children and adults, many of them award-winners. He and his wife, author Virginia Hamilton, now live in Ohio, and the special love note to "Ginger Belle" on the dedication page is pure sentiment of the longstanding kind. Be sure to read it as you begin Love Letters.
Etta Wilson is Children's Book Editor of this publication.
©1997, ProMotion, inc.
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