Frampton presents a pictorial and biographical introduction to Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poem “Fortune has its cookies to give out.” It’s Ferlinghetti’s memory of the delights of a hot summer day in Brooklyn when the firefighters used their hoses to turn a street into a water park, which Frampton portrays in words and woodcuts for the enlightenment and delight of children of all ages. ( )

Frampton, David. Mr. Ferlinghetti's Poem (Original Poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti). Story and Woodcuts by David Frampton. Grand Rapids: Books for Young Readers, 2006.

Mr. Ferlinghetti’s Poem was written for children 5 years and up. It comes with beautifully designed woodcut illustrations that appeal to small children. It is a simple poem/story about what life was like in Brooklyn New York a long time ago. Ferlinghetti remembers simple things—how he and his friend were hanging out on a hot summer day when, fortunately, the fire department came to hose down their neighborhood. Kids and even adults danced around in the cool showers that brought great relief. This is a great, simple story that celebrates the simple things in life that people find joy in.

I chose this book almost entirely for the attention-grabbing woodcuts that Frampton used to illustrate his work. He has written short background introduction of Mr. Ferlinghetti as a child, when his poem was written, and them completes the book with the poem in its entirety. The poem itself is a non-rhyming, very observational poem with a shingled appearance, from the childhood years of a lifelong poet. The color-washed woodcuts are simple yet stunning, and reflect the setting in a 1920s Brooklyn street on a hot summer day in a very enhancing way.

This is a very sweet and nostalgic poem about a young boy in Brooklyn's daydream that one hot summer day all the firemen come out to play with the local children by splashing the firehose. ( )

Fans of Ferlinghettis will like this adaption of one of his poems. ( )