Zigzag: Zoems for Zindergarten

Carol L. MacKay is a children’s librarian living in Bawlf, Alberta.

Loris Lesynski, the author of Nothing Beats a Pizza (2001) and Dirty Dog
Boogie (1999), has penned another collection of poems, this time
specifically for the kindergarten set. Lesynski has thoughtfully chosen
21 poetry topics important to this age group, including school lunches,
hamsters, crafts, paper and scissors, traffic safety, popsicles, and
mud. Each poem is presented in the context of kindergarten life.

“Tee-hee-hee” is a fun poem about making silly exclamations, but it
also helps to gently reinforce classroom expectations: “School is
over, leave the room. Yak yak yak and sing and shout. Time to let the
noises out!” In “Cars Coming?” the poet shares a simple but wise
observation: “Kids are big but trucks are jumbo. Running out is
strictly dumbo.”

But these poems are about much more than just presenting kindergarten
concepts. They are also about introducing rhythm, rhyme, and poetry for
enjoyment. Lesynski’s exuberant coloured-pencil-and-watercolour
illustrations work largely to enhance the wacky fun; but in the
inventive poem “Zack Had a Cat,” the illustrations are integral to
the telling of the poem’s story.

Zigzag is filled with plenty of poems worth memorizing. Kids will be
skit-skatting, rap-rapping, and finger-tapping in the classroom,
library, and beyond. Highly recommended.