Bibliography
Marilyn, S. 2010. Mirror Mirror. Ill. by Josée Masse. New York, NY: Penguin Young Readers Group. ISBN 9780525479017
Plot Summary
The poems in this collection are written to be read in reverse. This means that the meaning within the poem can change if the poem is read differently. In this case, when the poem is read from the bottom to the top, the meaning behind the poem changes. In this collection, the poems are based on traditional literature that any reader can enjoy. Stories of Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, and many more are used in this collection, and it is amusing to see another perspective besides the main character’s. Questions about how the prince in Sleeping Beauty felt about being forced to save the princess because he is in a fairy tale, or how the three bears felt when they saw Goldilocks, are answered in this book. These are only two of the many traditional tales that hold different views in a whole new light when they are read in reverse.
Critical Analysis
As many old tales have been passed down for many generations, so have their meanings and perspectives. However, this book illuminates a new perspective of the typical one that is shared from each tale. This is done through the aspect of mirroring, showing a different view from a different character of the poem by reversing the poem itself with contrasts in the illustrations and reflections in the text.
For the illustrations, two images are placed next to each other to show the classical perspective of the story next to a similar illustration with a new twist of the perspective shown in the poem. The first side (left or top side) shows the typical perspective of the poem. For example, in the “Bears in the News” poem, a new rendition of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” the left image shows Goldilocks, frightened on the cub’s bed with three silhouettes of large bears behind her. Clearly, as seen in Goldilock’s perspective, this shows the classical representation of the bears scaring Goldilocks. However, this view is changed with the image on the right side, with the three bears staring surprisingly at Goldilocks, who is a silhouette in this image. Thus, both images show a reflection from the perspective of Goldilocks and the perspective of the three bears.
Another way in which mirroring is shown in the book to show a new point of view of the tale is how the poems are reversed. This can be seen with every poem, as the beginning of the poem on the left is the ending of the one on the right, and the ending of the left one is the beginning of the second one. An example of this can be seen with “Mirror Mirror,” a rendition of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” where the narrators change from Snow White’s mother to the witch. For instance, the first perspective is Snow White’s mother, as the narrator begins with, “Let me help you get some rest./Mother knows best./Listen to me,/Snow White.” This is a clear indication that Snow White’s mother is speaking to her. However, at the ending of the opposing stanza, the same lines seem to be spoken by a different narrator. The lines read, “Snow White,/l listen to me./Mother knows best./Let me help you get some rest.” This expresses a more sinister tone, and it allows the reader to assess that the narrator is no longer Snow White’s mother trying to help Snow White, but is the witch attempting to lure Snow White instead.
Review Excerpt(s)
- Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly: “Masse’s clever compositions play with symmetry… bringing this smart concept to its fullest effect” (February 8, 2010).
- Starred review in Kirkus Reviews: "A mesmerizing and seamless celebration of language, imagery, and perspective" (December 22, 2010).
Connections
- This book would be great to use as an attention grabber when discussing the genre poetry or discussing point of view.
- These poems can be used in a point of view ELA/Reading lesson. Students can read both sides of the poem to gain different perspectives.
- Other reverso poems written by Marilyn Singer: “Follow, Follow” and “Echo, Echo”.
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