Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
by Marilyn Singer (Author), Josee Masse (Illustrator)
Poetry + Fairy Tales –> Modern Take!
Mix poetry with fairy tales and you are immediately hooked! But what is special about this book? Read the poem in 2 ways: Up and Down. Read it from top to bottom (traditional and the usual way) and then read the same poem from bottom to top! Not only is it fun.. but it also has a completely different meaning! Ingenious!
In “The Doubtful Duckling” poem, the duckling dreams of turning into a beautiful swan. But read it the other way around, and it simply cannot believe that the ugliness will ever change. In the poem “Mirror Mirror”, Snow White narrates the poem and looks out for her new friends, the dwarves. But read the same poem in reverse: The witch is enticing Snow White to eat the apple! Don’t believe it?
Excerpt:
| In my hood, | After all, Grandma’s waiting, |
| skipping through the wood, | mustn’t dawdle… |
| carrying a basket, | But a girl! |
| picking berries to eat - | What a treat - |
| juicy and sweet | juicy and sweet, |
| what a treat! | picking berries to eat, |
| But a girl | carrying a basket, |
| mustn’t dawdle. | skipping through the wood |
| After all, Grandma’s waiting | in my ‘hood. |
Can you guess the name of this story? And notice how the poem has as different meaning when read exactly in reverse? 
Find it here: Library, Amazon, Better World Books
13 comments
Oh! how very clever. We are going to pick this book up on our next visit to library. Sounds interesting!
I’ve seen this title many times, and I always see something new when I view it again. A very creative book! I found you via the Hop, and I’m your newest follower. I hope you’ll swing by and check out my site as well (http://teachwithpicturebooks.blogspot.com) and consider following.
Thanks for looking in Keith. It is indeed very creative! I have been meaning to read Book Thief for a long time now After reading your review (http://howtoteachanovel.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-could-they-let-this-happen.html) I can’t wait to pick it up!
Super clever, and the illustrations are enough to draw me in. Going on the goodreads to read list definately. Thank you very much for linking it in to the kidlit blog hop, cheers
Yes this book really surprised us too! we were quite impressed
Hi, I’m stopping by as part of the Kid Lit Blog Hop. These illustrations look fabulous!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love this post, Reshama! I’m definitely going to look into this book. Thank you for contributing to the Carnival of Children’s Literature this month! –Julie
I am so glad that you liked it And thanks for hosting it for me!
Oh WOW!! Must, must get this book – it’s brilliant. I just love the idea. Can you imagine how long it took to put those stories together. Heading off the Goodreads to add to my Want-To-Read shelf!! LOVE!! Thanks for linking into the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
I know! It was fascinating and creative at the same time. Thanks for stopping by Renee.
Love those poems with the illustrations. This is truly a magical book.
Thanks for posting. That’s such a clever and unusual book!