This post was written as a Master's course assignment for Texas Woman's University.
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Greenfield, Eloise. 2006. THE FRIENDLY FOUR. Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrest. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780060007591.
2. BOOK SUMMARY
Four friendships mold together gradually in this elegant book by Eloise Greenfield. Over the six sections of the book, the young characters are introduced one-by-one to the reader, beginning with Drum (Drummond), who watches as a new neighbor moves in. The neighbors happen to have a daughter, Dorene, who is just about his size and age, and move in just in time to save Drum from a summer of boredom. The narrators in this book vary, from one, to two, to three or more, and many of these poems would work well in a read-aloud setting, with a few designated readers.
To the excitement of Drum and Dorene's newly forged friendship, we add a third character: Louis, who we assume is adopted. In SOMEONE (pg. 17), we see the world from his eyes: "Louis: My new mama really looks at me,/not at all like the other two,/who looked past me into nothing." With a flurry of running and storytelling and creativity, the group of three play games and laugh a lot. Their energy is infectious, and to this already excitable group, we add the fourth member: Rae. THE FRIENDLY FOUR, now complete, seem destined to have the greatest summer ever: "Drum: I was alone and life was lonely. All: But not anymore,/Drum: 'cause we're the Friendly Four!" (pg. 27).
Through their jubilant interactions, the four friends band together, becoming almost invincible, and even creating a make-believe town called "Goodsummer," built from scratch, out of paper and glue, cardboard and markers, and glitter, of course. They play pretend: AT THE MOVIES (pg. 38), AT THE BANK (pg. 39), AT SCHOOL (pg. 40), AT THE OFFICE BUILDING (pg. 41), AT THE LIBRARY (pg. 42)... The dialogue between the children is fabulous and inventive, a true slice of summer life for children with boundless energy.
The beautiful illustrations in rich colors evoke a true sense of the creative juices that are flowing around the children. The colors vary, depending on the essence of each poem, from loud primary colors, to soft, introspective earth tones. Jan Spivey Gilchrest captures such expressive emotions in the children's faces, and the pictures create movement, merriment, and excitement.
Though we are introduced to issues that could lead to potentially disturbing emotions- Dorene living with her Grandmother, Rae coming to live for the summer away from her unstable mother, Louis's adoption story, Drum's new baby sibling- the children all bring their best attitudes to each other, and boy does it feel like a party. Imagination and Greenfield's beautifully poetic language run rampant over the neighborhood that summer, and when it's time to see goodbye, the "Friendly Four" make sure it's a "see you later."
To the excitement of Drum and Dorene's newly forged friendship, we add a third character: Louis, who we assume is adopted. In SOMEONE (pg. 17), we see the world from his eyes: "Louis: My new mama really looks at me,/not at all like the other two,/who looked past me into nothing." With a flurry of running and storytelling and creativity, the group of three play games and laugh a lot. Their energy is infectious, and to this already excitable group, we add the fourth member: Rae. THE FRIENDLY FOUR, now complete, seem destined to have the greatest summer ever: "Drum: I was alone and life was lonely. All: But not anymore,/Drum: 'cause we're the Friendly Four!" (pg. 27).
Through their jubilant interactions, the four friends band together, becoming almost invincible, and even creating a make-believe town called "Goodsummer," built from scratch, out of paper and glue, cardboard and markers, and glitter, of course. They play pretend: AT THE MOVIES (pg. 38), AT THE BANK (pg. 39), AT SCHOOL (pg. 40), AT THE OFFICE BUILDING (pg. 41), AT THE LIBRARY (pg. 42)... The dialogue between the children is fabulous and inventive, a true slice of summer life for children with boundless energy.
The beautiful illustrations in rich colors evoke a true sense of the creative juices that are flowing around the children. The colors vary, depending on the essence of each poem, from loud primary colors, to soft, introspective earth tones. Jan Spivey Gilchrest captures such expressive emotions in the children's faces, and the pictures create movement, merriment, and excitement.
Though we are introduced to issues that could lead to potentially disturbing emotions- Dorene living with her Grandmother, Rae coming to live for the summer away from her unstable mother, Louis's adoption story, Drum's new baby sibling- the children all bring their best attitudes to each other, and boy does it feel like a party. Imagination and Greenfield's beautifully poetic language run rampant over the neighborhood that summer, and when it's time to see goodbye, the "Friendly Four" make sure it's a "see you later."
3. POEM HIGHLIGHT
The poem I chose to highlight from this vibrant collection is one of the make-believe poems, with all of the children taking turns narrating. AT THE CONCERT HALL (pg. 44) arrives at the height of the imaginative series, where the children pretend to be doing things that grown-ups do. As a fun educational follow-up, after reading this poem aloud, the students would play dress-up, with costumes and props, and take turns telling stories about where we're going in our fancy garb.
AT THE CONCERT HALL
All: We look wonderful
Dorene and Rae: in our gowns and gloves, hats,
Drum and Louis: tuxedos,
All: going to the concert.
Now, we're there, listening to
Drum: the horns,
Rae: the strings,
Louis: the piano,
Dorene: the drums,
All: all playing together,
Drum: making music that thunders,
Rae: music that swings,
Louis: lullabies, waltzes,
Dorene: hymns.
All: And now, to the banquet hall for dinner.
We take the music with us,
tingling on our skin, playing again
in our heads and in our hearts.
By Eloise Greenfield.
AT THE CONCERT HALL
All: We look wonderful
Dorene and Rae: in our gowns and gloves, hats,
Drum and Louis: tuxedos,
All: going to the concert.
Now, we're there, listening to
Drum: the horns,
Rae: the strings,
Louis: the piano,
Dorene: the drums,
All: all playing together,
Drum: making music that thunders,
Rae: music that swings,
Louis: lullabies, waltzes,
Dorene: hymns.
All: And now, to the banquet hall for dinner.
We take the music with us,
tingling on our skin, playing again
in our heads and in our hearts.
By Eloise Greenfield.
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