THE FRIENDLY FOUR by Eloise Greenfield

Greenfield, Eloise. 2006. THE FRIENDLY FOUR. Ill. by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060007591

Review

For young Drummond, summer’s been a bummer until some new friends come into his life.  They enjoy the summer and together they create their own town in Drum’s yard.  They play at each location including a bank and the library.  Before long, summer ends and they have to say their goodbyes.

The book is written in alternating voices and lends itself to being performed.  The story line is uplifting and encouraging.  The poetry includes varying sound elements.  For example, Playground uses assonance; wet/rest.  This poem also uses alliteration, rhyme and repetition with words ending in –ing as in running/sliding/swinging/sweating. 

Poetry in Action:

Introducing the Poem:  The teacher might schedule this activity before or after a local parade.  Begin by showing students pictures of a parade, maybe even video.  Local parade pictures have even more of a connection.  Ask students to share experiences of being at a parade.  Read the poem once to the students.  Second round, appoint a Drum and Dorene and have the class read their assigned part – either a person or ALL.  The class might be interested in reading several times and mixing up the parts.

Follow up Activity:  For young students, bring a box of dress up clothes to wear over their clothing such as ties, blazers, dresses, and hats.  Allow the kids time to dress up and walk around the library or the school in a line like a parade.

IN THE TOWN OF GOODSUMMER

ALL:              We’ll get the paintings from the garage,

and stand them around the fence.

Today, we’re going to celebrate.

DRUM:        Welcome, ladies and gents!

ALL:             Thank you for coming to our parade,

and now, without a pause,

we’ll match by in our own grown-up clothes.

DORENE:     Thank you for your applause.

ALL:             We turned the music way up loud,

                   to show you that we’re happy and proud

                   of the work we did to build our town.

                   Now, watch us as we march around,

                   and around, and around, and around.

                   Mmmarch!  Mmmarch!

                   Mmmarch!  March!  MARCH!