Poetry: Mirror, Mirror

Title: Mirror,  Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse 

Author: Marilyn Singer

Illustrator: Josée Massee

Genre: Poetry 

Major Awards: An ALA Notable, winner of the Cybil Award in Poetry and the Land of Enchantment Picture Book Award, and nominee for the Texas Bluebonnet Award. 

Age Group: 6-10 years old 

Mirror, Mirror by Marilyn Singer is a book of reverso poems that shows that their are two sides to every story. In the book Singer has written poems about classic fairy tales, but in true reverso form once the poem is turned on its head the meaning changes entirely. For example, Cinderella goes from being stuck at home until midnight while her stepsisters are at the ball, to when it is reversed Cinderella is the one who is dancing till midnight with the Prince while her step-sisters are waiting for a chance. The poems themselves and the way they are written offer a unique perspective to the classic fairy tales we all know. Through the poems being reversed you hear the story from a new perspective and although the words are the same, flipping them changes the meaning entirely as if a whole new story is being told. In the authors note, Singer brings up an interesting point that we often read poetry straight through, but have never once thought to turn it around and read it in reverse. Quite like the title "Mirror, Mirror" when things are reflected and turned around the orientation, imagery, and story change. 

Mirror, Mirror is such a unique book of poetry and is unlike anything I have ever read or heard before. This book would be and excellent addition to add to any 1st through 5th grade classroom library. The concept itself of utilizing reverso poems can connect to so many lessons across all grade levels. For the younger grade students, I can imagine reading the story and then having the students act out the reverso, and seeing how the same story just told in the opposite direction can change the meaning entirely. For the older students, I would take the learning a step further and have the students write there own reverso poem and read and perform them as a class. I truly believe that not only would the students enjoy creating and reenacting the poetry, but it will also teach them a new form of poetry and the important concept of perception that can connect to both life and their schooling.