THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS by Joyce Sidman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. 2007. THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0618616802

PLOT SUMMARY

As indicated by the title, this is a book of apologies and forgiveness. Mrs. Merz’s fictional sixth-grade class writes poems apologizing to people, animals, and even the statue of the school’s namesake, Florence P. Scribner. The second half of the book contains poems of forgiveness in response to the apologies. The book opens with an introduction by sixth grade student Anthony K. who explains that the book is the result of a poetry unit and was inspired by William Carlos Williams’ poem “This Is Just to Say”. Anthony notes that Bao Vang, “who is really good in art” made the illustrations with the help of Mr. Willow, the art teacher.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The words and emotions conveyed from a child’s perspective are what set this book apart. Some poems are light hearted apologies for small transgressions such as eating the donuts in the teachers lounge or throwing too hard in dodge ball. But others capture the anguish of a child who feels unforgivable for the crime of betraying a friend or for being the reason her father left.

Sidman captures the voice of each fictitious writer and manages to convey real emotions. In the poem “It Was Quiet”, Tenzin writes a poem of apology to his dog, Einstein, for having to make the decision to put him out of his pain.

I’m so sorry we had to do this.
We wanted to save you some pain.
I hope we did the right thing.

Is death ever right?
I don’t know, but I hated having to choose it,
And I hate the quiet in our house
without you.

Mr. Johnson, the custodian, writes a poem of forgiveness to Tenzin to help him be at peace with the loss of his pet. In the poem “Losing Einstein” Sidman writes in Mr. Johnson’s voice:

Einstein was right there with you, Tenzin.
Even if his eyes weren’t open,
He was smelling you, feeling your touch.
You were loving him, and he was loving you back.
That’s how he went.
And that’s how a dog should go.

The mixed media artwork of Pamela Zagarenski complements each poem and stays true to the idea that the book is the work of a sixth-grade class. From hearts and arrows to drawings cut from graph paper, the illustrations have a child-like quality but with a more mature artist’s eye for detail and design. The illustration for “The River of Forgiveness” shows the author, Bao Vang wading a through a river in which the word “forgiveness” flows with the water.

The book is organized in two parts, Apologies and Responses and a table of contents identifies the poem, author, and page number. In addition to the introduction by Anthony K., some poems have clarifying author or editor notes. The poem “Little Brother” to DaRon from his brother Lamar includes an editor’s note that DaRon changed a few words in his brother’s poem so it could be included in the book.

This is a good book for older readers who will be able to grasp the ideas and emotions expressed in this book. It could be used to spark a discussion with students on expressing feelings through poetry or writing their own poems of apology and forgiveness.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

BOOKLIST: “Children will find much to identify with in the situations presented in the apology poems, and they'll appreciate the resolutions given in the responses.”

HORN BOOK: “This book is a collection of "sorry poems" and responses, ostensibly (but not always believably) written, illustrated, and collected by a sixth-grade class. Though the poems are not as varied in tone or style as could be desired, they provide intimate, often touching glimpses of relationships by which real classes might be inspired.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched. Zagarenski's delicately outlined collage drawings and paintings are created on mixed backgrounds-notebook paper, paper bags, newspaper, graph paper, school supplies. This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom.”

CONNECTIONS

This book could provide an opportunity for students to write their own poems of apology and forgiveness, or discuss how poetry can be used to express feelings and emotions.

Other books written by Joyce Sidman include:

MEOW RUFF: A STORY IN CONCRETE POETRY. ISBN 0618448942

BUTTERFLY EYES AND OTHER SECRETS OF THE MEADOW. ISBN 061856313X

SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN & OTHER POND POEMS. ISBN 0618135472

Other books illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski include:

HOW DO I FEEL? ¿CÓMO ME SIENTO? ISBN 0618169318

WHAT COLOR IS IT? ¿QUÉ COLOR ES ÉSTE? ISBN 0618169326

MY VERY OWN BIG DICTIONARY. ISBN 0395763207