retrieved from hbook.com on 4/17/2013

Swirl by Swirl Spirals in Nature

Written by Joyce Sidman

Illustrated by Beth Krommes

Publisher: Hougton Mifflin Harcourt: Boston

Year: 2011

ISBN:  9780547315836

Honors/Awards:

Charlotte Zolotow Award, 2012 Highly Commended United States

Mind the Gap Award, 2012 Science made simple (youngest) United States

Booklist Book Review Stars, Sept. 1, 2011 American Library Association; United States

Kirkus Book Review Stars, September 15, 2011; United States

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, 2012; National Science Teachers Association; United States

School Library Journal Best Books, 2011; United States

School Library Journal Book Review Stars, September 2011; Cahners; United States

Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 2011; American Library Association; United States

Critical Analysis:

One part science book, one part poetry, and one hundred percent beautiful, Swirl By Swirl Spirals in Nature explores spirals in nature. Precise, crisp and clean, the free verse text progressively considers the almost infinite variety of ways that this versatile shape is demonstrated in the natural world. Sidman eloquently describes not only the protective nature of spirals but also their powerful and expansive nature. Her words “A spiral is a snuggling shape… coiled tight, warm and safe” coupled with Krommes scratchboard and watercolor washed illustrations of woodchuck, bull snake and chipmunk beautifully demonstrate the protective nature of spirals as these small creatures hibernate for the winter. She gradually progresses to the expansive nature of the universe with,

                                                            It stretches starry arms

                                                            through space,

                                                            spinning and sparkling,

                                                            forever expanding….  

and then cleverly draws the reader back to earth by returning to the beginning with,

                                                              ….or, it curls up

                                                              neat and small,

                                                              warm and safe.

                                                              A spiral is a snuggling shape.

The book is made complete with two pages of notes that expand upon the various ideas found in the poem.

Excellently written, beautifully illustrated and cleverly finished off with scientific facts about a variety of spirals shapes and the benefits they lend to nature, Swirl by Swirl is an excellent resource not only for the subject of literature but also of science.

Classroom Connections:

Art: Read this poem and then create various pieces of artwork using spirals. Perhaps cut a variety of shells in half so that students can dip them in paint or ink

Science: Read this poem and then research the different creatures illustrated. Have the students determine how the spiral benefits each