Review: Singer, M., & Masse, J. (2011). Mirror mirror: A book of reversible verse.

Singer, M., & Masse, J. (2011). Mirror mirror: A book of reversible verse. New York, NY: Scholastic.

This inventive story book with hold listeners’ attention with the creative forward and backward verse--termed “reverso”--suggesting a “mirror image” of the text and referencing the famous phrase from the fairytale Snow White.  

The first poem in the collection, “In Reverse” let’s readers know that if you believe top to bottom is the only way to read, “this poem will challenge you.”  The second column on the page then features the text in exact reverse order, which is not only coherent, but conveys the same theme: “Up is something new,” and “Something new is up.”

Ensuing poems revolve around other traditional fairytale characters; Cinderella leads a “double life,” Rapunzel feels “snippy,” the ugly duckling questions his destiny, and the princess who kissed the frog experiences disappointment.  Moreover, some of the poems are used to not only tell both sides of one story, but to view two differing perspectives from two different characters on the same topic. This is true, for example, in the poem about Sleeping Beauty and her disenchanted prince, and also Rumpelstiltskin along with the unnamed miller’s daughter, titled “Do You Know My Name?”.

Some background knowledge is required to appreciate these poems centered on traditional fairytale characters, but they make a delightful read-aloud for children young and older.  The illustrations add to the duplicitous nature and are colorful but dark, with strong angles.

Readers who love Mirror, Mirror should check out the second book in the serious, Follow, Follow.