Flower Child

Created by two fathers, Flower Child celebrates the wonder of poetry in an imaginative romp through 32 selections, ranging from classics by Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and Langston Hughes, to plenty of kid-themed pieces, including an ode to a giant pepperoni pizza. Although the visuals generally follow the content of the poems, what we mostly see is a multiethnic bunch of real children having fun: think barefoot dancing, bubble-blowing, hula-hooping—refreshingly conveying an overall feeling of playful joy. Smart creative choices abound: the poetry is mostly read by young children, the soundtrack of drums and folk instruments (by Mecca Bodega and Clark Jones) is fresh and dynamic, and filmmaker Dorne Pentes' visual direction is both inventive and lively without ever becoming cheesy or frenetic. A downloadable teacher's resource guide includes the full transcript, as well as lots of innovative activities suitable for the classroom and home. Highly recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (E. Gieschen)