Please Bury Me in the Library

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lewis, Patrick J. 2005. PLEASE BURY ME IN THE LIBRARY. New York, NY: Harcourt Children’s Books. ISBN: 0-15-216387-5.

2. SUMMARY
This book displays 14 poems, most on a single spread. All poems get their own illustration. There is a wide variety of type in this short collection. Haiku, Acrostic, Narrative, Lyrical and other forms make appearances. The poems are focused around a relatively small theme, but some are fanciful, whimsical and zany while others encourage introspection and reflection.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Lewis’ collection of 14 poems about language, reading and books will be warmly welcomed by only the most avid readers and fully comprehended by only the sharpest children or adults. The title poem is morbid without managing to be silly at the same time. The two most compelling poems, “A Classic” and “Great, Good, Bad” would feel more at home as sidebars in Reader’s Digest. “Three Haiku” falls flat on its face but the double entendre in the last haiku could at least serve as introduction into double entendres.

The illustrations do little to truly extend the text with its muted colors and many layers of acrylic paint. Occasionally, the poems and illustrations appear out of sync as in “Absolutastical” and “Necessary Gardens”. In the latter, the illustration actually seems to be disputing the poem. The only standout in this collection is “Summer Reading at the Beach” where illustration and text are in perfect harmony.

This is one collection of poetry that should be bought only to complement an already full poetry section.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publisher’s Weekly - Despite its clever title, Lewis (Arithme-Tickle) and Stone's combination of sentimental rhymes and at times ghoulish whimsy creates a volume of poetry about reading that may leave bookworms with a bit of indigestion.
School Library Journal - The Lewis hallmarks are all here-clever wordplay, humor, nonsense, rhyme-though the collection doesn't have quite the spot-on snap of his best stuff.

5. CONNECTIONS
Can lead to a discussion about the role of libraries and reading.
Morris, Carla. THE BOY WHO WAS RAISED BY LIBRARIANS. ISBN 1561453919.