Dean Koontz - Poet?

My only previous experience with Dean Koontz's work is in the realm of fiction--and not the kind I would recommend for children to read.  So, when I saw this book on the same shelf with children's poetry, I was intrigued, to say the least, and hoped that I would have something to post from this book this week.    And so, I explored The Paper Doorway and found some wonderful gems of poetry that you can share with children of all ages. 

Dean Koontz was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and after a stint with the Appalachia Poverty Program and some time teaching English, he quit his job and started to write professionally.  As I mentioned before, I was familiar with some of his suspense/thriller work, and never dreamed that he had written anything for children, but after a search on Amazon, I find that he has several titles to his name that can be considered for children. 

The Paper Doorway, published in 2001, has a lot of silly poetry that can actually start some pretty good discussions with children.  For example: 


Better Than Money

Money I quickly spend.
Ice cream I gobble down.
Clothes I always wear out.
I'd rather have a friend.

Movies all soon end,
And trips out of town.
Rich food gives me gout.
I'd rather have a friend.

The Paper Doorway  Koontz, Dean.  (2001).  New York.  Harper Collins.  Page 46.

This can open a discussion about all the things a person can have that doesn't cost money. 

I also love the images that come to my mind with this poem:

Listen to the Wind

Listen to the wind!
Hear it spin, spin, spin!
Telling where it's been:
Rome and back again

Listen to it howl!
Hear it growl, growl, growl!
Wind is on the prowl
and it wants in now!

Listen to it sigh!
Hear it cry, cry, cry!
Such a sorry sigh.
Don't you wonder why?

Listen to it moan!
Hear it groan, groan, groan!
Such a gnawing tone,
Hungry for a bone.

Listen to it climb
Through the bright wind chimes,
Keeping time, time, time:
Music so sublime. 

The Paper Doorway  Koontz, Dean.  (2001).  New York.  Harper Collins.  Page 132

There are so many poems in this book, some are silly; others can make you think.  Pick up this book sometime and read a few--you won't regret it!