TECHNICALLY, IT'S NOT MY FAULT by John Grandits

Bibliography
Grandits, John. 2004. Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems. New York: Clarion. ISBN 061842833X

Plot Summary
Technically, It's Not My Fault is a collection of poems by John Grandits written from the point of view of a little boy named Robert. The poems are funny and cover topics that an elementary age boy would experience or ponder. Such topics include the repetitiveness of a school day, wanting a new pet, plain pizza, basketball, and baseball. The poems are witty and interesting to read because illustrations for each topic are formed from the actual words of the poem.

Critical Analysis
The poems are free style with rhyme and sound used so sparingly that it may not be noticeable to the reader. It is the use of language and imagery that makes these poems so appealing. The words of his poems are arranged into pictures representing the topic at hand. In "Spew Machine," Robert envisions the perfect roller coaster. The words are thus arranged into a roller coaster ride complete with flips and drops. "Professional Wrestling for Animals" brings new meaning to imagery. This poem is about a boa constrictor battling an octopus. The words "boa constrictor" and "octopus" are arranged into the shape of the animals they name, and there is no question as to why Robert finds it hard to tell who's winning. Although there are no table of contents, I find that one is not necessary with just 28 poems in which each poem takes up no more than two pages.

My seven-year-old daughter loves this book because the theme is fun for any young child although it is written from a boy's point of view. She likes how the words are arranged into pictures. Being able to flip the book in different directions to read is also a plus. My favorite of them all is "Where New Words Come From: Snarpy." This poem represents Grandits' creativity, humor, and imagination.

Review Excerpts

•  Booklist: "...this winning, highly creative collection, convince readers that poetry can be loud, outrageous, gross fun."
• Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices: "His odes to pizza and baseball are as appreciative and fun as his thank-you notes and fart poems are sarcastic and snotty."
• Kirkus Reviews: "An exuberant celebration of wordplay that's certain to broaden kids' understanding and appreciation of the possibilities of poetry."
• Library Media Connection: "This short collection of wild and crazy concrete poems should appeal to the sense of humor of the eight- to 12-year-old group."

Connections

• Some of Grandits' poems have multiple voices speaking. Get kids to read such poems as "Sleepover Conversation" or "Stop Playing with Your Food!" in two voices. Let the kids choose which part they'd like to speak.
• Invite children to write poems about their own thoughts and personal experiences.
• Try reading poems from Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems also by John Grandits. ISBN 9780618568604