"Dark Emperor" Book Review

1.      Bibliography

Sidman, Joyce. 2010. DARK EMPEROR. Ill. By Rick Allen. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9780547152288

2.       Plot Summary

“Dark Emperor” is an individual poet compilation by Joyce Sidman, with a topical connection about nocturnal animals and other living organisms.  Each poem features a different animal such as the raccoon and bat, and also includes descriptions of mushrooms, snails, crickets, and more.  The poems are paired with a page of descriptive facts of the nocturnal animal or organism featured.  In these descriptions, the reader will find bolded scientific words with an index glossary at the back of the book such as “stridulation” and “echolocation”.  The poem collection begins with dusk, before the sun sets, and travels through the night describing each animal through many styles of poetry, and ends with the break of dawn.  Readers will enjoy the combination of facts, poetry, and illustrations this book of poetry has to offer.  

3.      Critical Analysis

Joyce Sidman delivers a brilliant blend of a work that is both scientific and magical.  Each of the twelve poems featured is unique and can stand alone.  Some poems are rhythmic with the beat and rhyme while others are in free verse.  Readers will enjoy the variety of style while also learning about a topic-nocturnal animals and living organisms.    

Rick Allen uses linoleum cut prints to create a realistic and majestic world for the readers.  The illustrations and poetry work together as the reader learns about scientific facts.  The details in each picture keep the reader’s attention and focus.  The first illustration introduces the reader to many of the nocturnal animals and organisms they will later meet in the book.  Readers will also notice a wondering eft visiting each page as well as the moon traveling across the illustrations.  

4.      Review Excerpt(s)

Newberry Honor – 2011

Horn Book – “From the opening poem…Sidman celebrates the world that comes alive after dark.”

Booklist Review – “This picture book combines lyrical poetry and compelling art with science concepts.”

5.      Connections

*Students will choose a nocturnal animal or living organism presented in the book to continue further research on.  They may also pair other poems with their chosen animal.

*Students will choose a vocabulary word featured in the text.  They will do further research and create a presentation to present information about this scientific word and why it is important to the field of science.

*Genre connection- challenge students to research other poetry books that have topical connections.