Reviews: (by author)

Wilbur, Richard. Opposites, More Opposites, and a Few Differences. San Diego: Harcourt, 2000 (originally pub. 1973 and 1991). $10.95. ISBN0-15-205612-2.

Do you like Shel Silverstein? Richard Wilbur, a US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer-prize winner, gives new meanings and content to the idea of opposites, humorously pointing to connections most of us don't see. He picks a word, say "doctor," "dawn," or "fox," then works it for all it's worth, drawing on multiple definitions and connotation while creating intelligent and funny rhymes. With a little thought, readers (not too young) will thoroughly enjoy this poetic brain teaser. The little hardback also contains "a Few Differences," in which Wilbur applies the same humor, poetic precision, and observational gift to explaining differences between, e.g. an owl and a cat.

• For example (excerpt):
  What's the opposite of pillow?
  The answer, child, is armadillo.
• For example (excerpt):
  A spell is something you are under
  When put to sleep, or full of wonder.
  The opposite of spell, I guess
  Is normal waking consciousness,
  In which you're not enthralled or sleepy
  And things are only fairly creepy.

Certainly adults will enjoy this as well as older children and teens. Wilbur himself illustrates it with expressive line drawings. It'd make a good gift book.

A. Allison, October 2006

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