Genre 3 - Poetry - Knock on Wood: Poems About Superstitions

1. Bibliography
Wong, Janet S. 2003. Knock on wood: poems about superstitions. Ill. by Julie Paschkis. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books. ISBN 9780689855122

2. Plot Summary
In this enchanting collection of children's poems, each of Wong's seventeen verses, listed in alphabetical order, is written about a superstition. Since some are more common than others, she has included a note at the end of the book about each superstition explored and details from where it originated. Also included is an author's note about her interest in superstitions and how this book came to be.

3. Analysis
The combination of the font used and Paschkis's swirling watercolor illustrations gives this collection of poems an ethereal quality. The beautiful two-page backdrops for each poem require more than just a casual look to be fully appreciated. Each poem is framed within a "window" shaped in a figure relating to the subject, showcasing not only the poem, but a small scene relating to each verse as well.

Wong's poems explore all sorts of superstitions from garlic and vampires to walking under ladders to potatoes that cure arthritis. The note at the end of the book explaining each superstition is much appreciated as some of the superstitions explored are very obscure. Some so obscure, in fact, that the poem's meaning may not translate very well. I had to read some of them several times while reading the note at the end of the book in between to understand Wong's intended meaning.

For the most part, however, Wong's lyrical verses are saturated with whimsical humor and imaginative imagery. For example in "Thirteen" she writes, "Friday the 13th/ thirteen witches are meeting in the Office of Bad Luck- on the thirteenth floor at 13 Thirteenth Street, of course." Then the Onomatopoeia "Zing!" "Zap!" and "Zarg!" that children will adore. And in "Garlic" the final verse reads "one big smelly mouthful- one big vampire good-bye." Wong's carefully chosen words paired with Paschkis's flowing watercolors are a pleasant combination in this inviting book of multicultural superstitious poems.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal - "Humor, satire, subplots, historic references, and decorative and surreal elements abound in artful profusion. There is much to ponder in both words and pictures."
Booklist - "Filled with mystery, magic, and hidden worlds, these are poems to liven up language arts classes and to spark discussions about personal beliefs."

5. Connections
*Children can share superstitions from their culture and compare their similarities and differences.
*Children can pick their own favorite superstition and write a poem about it.
*Read other books written by Janet S. Wong and illustrated by Julie Paschkis:
Twist: Yoga Poems ISBN 9780689873942
Night Garden: Poems for the World of Dreams ISBN 9781416968160