Poetry Book Review: Pat Mora

Bibliography:
Mora, P. 1998. THIS BIG SKY. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590371207

Plot Summary:
Pat Mora’s book, This Big Sky, explores life in the American Southwest through poems about horned lizards, mountains, coyotes, snakes, and people. Through the fourteen poems, Mora connects personal experience to desert life while Steve Jenkins’ cut and torn paper images harmonize with the poetry to create a complete package. The book includes a glossary to define the Spanish words into English.

Critical Analysis:
Pat Mora presents a collection of poems that explore Southwestern life through its people, landscape, and creatures. The writing is strong and filled with details that leave a lasting impression on the reader. Mora uses a variety of writing devices such as alliteration, onomatopeaia, rhythm, and rhyme while also including Spanish words in the poems. Though the poetry is about the Southwest, the author relates the activities of the animals to human experience. In the poem, Old Snake, Mora describes the snake shedding her skin writing that “sometimes you feel/ you just can’t breath/ in your own tight skin.” With this description the author creates a connection to the snake and provides the reader with an opportunity to change. Each poem is layered with details and new connections making the writing relatable and relevant to all readers.

Steve Jenkins’ paper cut images fit seamlessly with the poetry. The illustrations fill each open two-page spread with vivid color and stark images that convey the layered emotion of the poetry. The poem Suspense is supported with an image of sprinting Roadrunner trying to escape the oncoming rain. Jenkins’ constructs a textured image full of contrast between prickly cactus, dry land, slashing rain, and billowing clouds. His artwork helps convey the emotional intensity of the poetry. This Big Sky is an exceptional book filled with affecting, powerful writing and expressive artwork that should be included in any poetry collection.

Poem Excerpt:
Twilight Choir

After the rain,
diamonds scattered
by some careless duende
glisten on willow leaves.

Butterflies and hummingbirds
flutter in the breeze,
Poppies fall in moist clusters
where they please,
and stars hum their poetry.

Kittens tease fat cats
dreaming tonguefuls of warm
honey. Trees, dark canopies,
sway melodies.

Their evening song
accompanies cicada whirs
and mockingbird’s sassy,
musical originality,
after the rain.

Review Excerpts:
Booklist
“A visually dynamic collection of distinctively regional verse.”

Publishers Weekly
"Mora celebrates America's vast, otherworldly Southwest in 14 poems that will delight readers with their playfully evocative images. Jenkins offers cut-paper art in tones that reflect the sun-baked region."

School Library Journal
“This gem is both a lovely poetry book and an evocative look at a magical place.”

Connections: Continue reading other books by Pat Mora or expand the reading to include other Latino authors.