Staff Favorites Books

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 143 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

quirky yet sentimental 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

let me just say first off (and some of you may boo at me for this) that i am not a big fan of poetry, especially those that don't rhyme, layered with so much metaphor wrapped in some sort of old english language. those of you who can appreciate those, know i'm more than eager to submit in the "im not worthy! im not worthy!" throes. call it barbaric or just plain shallow, but i'd rather stick to the sing-songy rhymes of my elementary days.

now, saying that i absolutely loved Where the Sidewalk Ends should not be construed as a statement that Silverstein's work is shallow. piddling my knowledge might be about bodies of poetry, in whatever form, this one thing i am sure of: that though this book can be read to kids (and [gasp!] can actually be understood and enjoyed by them), it somehow still manages to deliver punchlines that could draw forth a surprised smile or chuckle from an adult--at least those not totally drowning in cynicism or morbid depression. but who knows...

a lot of the poetry here are funny (not outright hilarious, more like plain goofy), and yet come to think of it, still some of those are actually quite sad, with undertones about life and life experiences we take for granted. like the "Snowman", "Invention", "What's in the Sack?", "I Won't Hatch!", "The Garden", "The Little Blue Engine", and even the subtly poignant "Love".

whether you actively seek a moral in any of the poems or just want to go for some light reading, this book (in my opinion) is sure to leave you with a wistful feeling. exactly about what...well, i can't say. but i loved it. and for me that's more than okay.

Editorial Review:

Shel Silverstein shook the staid world of children's poetry in 1974 with the publication of this collection, and things haven't been the same since. More than four and a half million copies of Where the Sidewalk Ends have been sold, making it the bestselling children's poetry book ever. With this and his other poetry collections (A Light in the Attic and Falling Up), Silverstein reveals his genius for reaching kids with silly words and simple pen-and-ink drawings. What child can resist a poem called "Dancing Pants" or "The Dirtiest Man in the World"? Each of the 130 poems is funny in a different way, or touching ... or both. Some approach naughtiness or are a bit disgusting to squeamish grown-ups, but that's exactly what kids like best about Silverstein's work. Jim Trelease, author of The New Read-Aloud Handbook, calls this book "without question, the best-loved collection of poetry for children." (Ages 4 to 10)

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( L ) -> Lobel, Arnold

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children was recognized upon its publication in 1983 as an invaluable collection--a modern classic--and it has not since been surpassed. Five hundred poems, selected by poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky, are divided into broad subject areas such as nature, seasons, living things, children, and home. The poems of Emily Dickinson, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, and Gwendolyn Brooks populate the book's pages, while Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, Ogden Nash, and Shel Silverstein ensure that the collection delights even the most reluctant readers of rhyme. Playground chants, anonymous rhymes, scary poems, silly verse, and even some sad strains are carefully indexed by title, author, first line, and subject. With illustrations of cheerful, round-faced children and animals on every page, Arnold Lobel (a Caldecott medalist and creator of the Frog and Toad series) unifies the diverse poems to form a satisfying whole; Lobel can draw anything and make it funny--or poignant, if he chooses. This collection, one of the most varied and complete around, will carry any budding poetry lover through childhood and beyond. (Ages 5 to 11.)

A Pizza the Size of the Sun

Jack Prelutsky

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

For All Ages 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Pizza the Size of the Sun was by far my favorite book of poetry when I was a child. I memorized "I'm Usually a Speedy Horse" for an audition for a play once. Recently, I saw this book in a store and immediately snatched it up (along with an "It's Raining Pigs and Noodles" umbrella). Reading through it again, I found that the poems aren't just for children. Granted the themes maybe be childish, the language itself is more sophisticated. Some poems are very adult (not in an obscene way, of course) such as "I'm Drifting Through Negative Space" and "When I Am Full of Silence." I adore this book once again and I recommend it for all. Five stars, six if I could!

Editorial Review:

Jack Prelutsky is widely acknowledged as the poet laureate of the younger generation. (And many people would happily see him crowned with no age qualification.) The New Kid on the Block and Something Big Has Been Here are household words wherever there are kids.

Here is another wondrously rich, varied, clever - and always funny - collection. Meet Miss Misinformation, Swami Gourami, and Gladiola Gloppe (and her Soup Shoppe), and delight in a backwards poem, a poem that ever ends, and scores of others that will be changed, read, and loved by readers of every age. The Prelutsky-Stevenson duo is irresistible. Whether you begin at the beginning or just open the book at random, you won't stop smiling.

Talking Like the Rain: A Read-to-Me Book of Poems

X. J. Kennedy, Dorothy M Kennedy

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great Book of Poetry For Children (and Parents) 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Last night, my not-quite-three-year-old daughter spontaneously recited a couple dozen poems from this book to my wife and me. We were astounded. She's been requesting that we read TALKING LIKE THE RAIN to her day and night since I bought it last month, but we had no idea how deeply the poems had sunken in. What better endorsement can one give to such a book? We plan to buy several more copies as presents for my daughter's friends . . . and their parents.

X.J. Kennedy is a terrific poet as well as a top-notch editor. I highly recommend his own children's poetry books, particularly his irreverent BRATS, as well as his poetry books for adults, which include the excellent DARK HORSES and CROSS TIES.

Every Child Deserves This Beautiful Book 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This large, gorgeous picture book contains 123 poems perfectly suited for youthful excursions into the land of poetry. You will find many favorites here as well as bountiful opportunity to make new friends. Emily Dickinson, Rachel Field, David McCord, Jane Yolen, Christina Rossetti, Langston Hughes, Elizabeth Coatsworth, and Robert Frost are just a few of the amazing talents that grace the pages of this book. From the very beginning where a qote from Isak Dinesen's "Out of Africa" explains the title of the book, we are swept up in a cavalcade of imagery, sound and experience that is a true delight and feast for the imagination. Not only is this a wonderful introduction to poetry for children it is a giant step forward toward learning about creative visualization and self-expression. It is a fortunate child who learns to evoke response from others through the mastery and selection of words. There is no better way to teach the art than to provide a child with the opportunity to experience the magic first-hand. The splendid illustrations in this book cheerily invite one to venture closer and then become the magic carpet that sweeps one from place to place within the book. The subject matter covers a broad range of topics, humorous and thoughtful, and can serve as a wonderful catalyst to further discussion about poetry and the use of the imagination. After a long and satisfying relationship with this book, may I suggest that you place a special magical pen and a blank tablet of paper in the hands of your child and discover the wonders it has helped to deliver. This book is truly an ambassador to creative expression.

Editorial Review:

A collection of poems and illustrations celebrating the lives of children includes works by A. A. Milne, Edward Lear, Robert Louis Stevenson, and many new voices and is divided into sections on Day and Night, Just for Fun, and others.

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Robert Frost

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 29 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Why make a poem with mature themes into a children's book? 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 5 people found this review helpful.

The poem "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening" is certainly open to any person's individual interpreation. However, by illustrating it and turning it into a children's book, one is imposing a rather 'childish' interpretation on a poem which can have a deeper meaning. Perhaps there is some literature that should be left for kids to explore when they are older instead of trying to "dumb down" everything and hence lose its impact and meaning.

Editorial Review:

Robert Frost's well-known poem takes on new life in its first picture-book adaptation. The poem--long appreciated for its strong rhythm and evocative images--leaves readers wondering, "Where was the man going on the darkest night of the year?" and "Why on earth did he stop by the woods in a snowstorm?" Artist Susan Jeffers answers these questions visually--the kindly older gentleman who narrates the poem stops his sleigh to feed the forest birds and creatures. He stops once more to visit his daughter and grandchildren, then is off again through a blizzard, with many miles to go before he can sleep. The silent beauty of a snowy night shines through Jeffers's artwork; the man's clothing and blanket are the only bright touches of color in the white and wintry world of the woods. This quiet yet powerful book has a magic all its own. (Ages 4 to 7)

The Owl and the Pussycat

Edward Lear

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

No honey or money, but you'll find riches anyway 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Jan Brett's Caribbean-inspired illustrations for the classic Edward Lear poem are teeming with life, and the effect is stunning. The colors, textures, and shapes are a visual treat. Each page also has a different pattern of "straw" border, adorned with a different tropical flower.

The pictures overflow with detail, to the point where there's even a sub-story (pardon the pun) involving two yellow fish.

I didn't give it the full 5 stars because the way the text is broken up across spreads makes it difficult to read the poem with any kind of flow, and because some of Brett's admittedly gorgeous illustrations could (and perhaps should) have had more of a connection to the text. For one notable example -- there's no pot of honey on the boat, and we never get a look at the money wrapped up in the five-pound note!

But there's no denying the beauty of the illustrations, and the Caribbean theme works surprisingly well. This is a great book for anyone -- for newcomers to the splendid silliness of the poem as well as for old fans of the poem who are looking for an edition with fabulous illustrations.

Editorial Review:

Edward Lear's nonsense poem about two unlikely sweethearts--an elegant owl and a beautiful cat--has found a perfect match in artist Jan Brett. She traveled to the Caribbean (the land where the Bong-tree grows, perhaps?) to research her illustrations as well as the settings, costume details, plants, and fish native to the area. Readers can follow an illustrated subplot of two yellow fish who also fall in love under the pea-green boat. A charming treatment of a classic children's poem. (Ages 3 to 7)

insectlopedia

Douglas Florian

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

A perfect springtime accompaniment to actual bugs, Insectlopedia swarms, buzzes, and slithers with poetry and paint. Douglas Florian, creator of the award-winning Beast Feast, On the Wing, and In the Swim, has succeeded again, this time with a delightful infestation of 21 spider and insect poems and paintings, awash in watercolor and collage on primed brown paper bags.

Well-loved for his clever wordplay (complete with endearingly shameless visual and verbal puns), Florian manages to seamlessly blend science with pure whimsy. Take "The Praying Mantis," for example: "Upon a twig/I sit and pray/For something big/To wend my way;/A caterpillar,/Moth,/or bee--/I swallow them/Religiously." His rhythmic chant "The Weevils" begins, "We are weevils./We are evil./We've aggrieved/Since time primeval." Add a few inchworms, moths, and whirligig beetles, and you have the blisteringly funny, stingingly clever Insectlopedia, the perfect book for emerging entomologists and budding poets alike. (All ages)

When We Were Very Young (Pooh Original Edition)

A. A. Milne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Milne's Beauty in Simplicity 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I had to read this for a little while before I got to a poem I really liked. The first 10 or so poems just seemed incomplete to me. "Independence" caught my eye first. In very few words it pretty much tells us adults that our kids are going to do what they want, despite all the things we say. It's followed by the wonderful poem "Nursery Chairs" where a child pretends the chairs in his house are different things. Then after "Nursery Chairs" is another strong poem, "Market Square" where we learn that there are things all around us in nature that we don't need to get from the market.

"Disobedience" is another interesting poem. It's kind of a role-reversal story about a kid whose mother disobeys his orders to stay away from the end of town, and she gets lost as the result of her disobedience.

"Spring Morning" emphasizes the beauty of nature to us, saying, "It's awful fun to be born at all." Next is "The Island" which has a wonderful closing message that screams, "God made it all - FOR US!" to me.

And there are so many other joyous poems in this quick read too. There's "Jonathan Jo," "Rice Pudding," "The Wrong House," "The Dormouse and the Doctor" (which has some terrific rhythm), a very touching "Little Bo-Peep and Little Boy Blue," "The Invaders," "If I Were King," etc., etc.

But perhaps my favorite poem in the collection is "Halfway Down" which is about nothing more than sitting on stairs. Man, if someone can take such a simple act and make it so astoundingly wondrous, then that person truly must be one of the greatest writers ever.

Editorial Review:

In all likelihood, your mother or father read you these poems and remember their parents reading the same. This collection of poetry by the creator of Winnie the Pooh was first published in 1924. With its companion volume Now We Are Six, the little books became two of the biggest bestsellers in publishing history. Children all over the world have heard about changing the guard at Buckingham Palace; James James Morrison Morrison Weather by George Dupree; the three little foxes who kept their handkerchiefs in cardboard boxes; and, of course, Christopher Robin, named for A.A. Milne's son. Adults and older children will enjoy Milne's poems too, as some of his humor is subtly directed at a more sophisticated audience. But younger children are the ones who love the naughty Mary Jane (lovely rice pudding again?) and the bears on the corners of London's streets. Read these poems aloud and pass along (or start) a family tradition. (Ages 5 to 9)

Antarctic Antics: A Book of Penguin Poems

Judy Sierra

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Judy Sierra, author of the well-loved picture books Counting Crocodiles and The House That Drac Built, delights young readers again, this time paying poetic tribute to the distinguished-yet-waddling emperor penguin of icy Antarctica. Comical, cartoonish paintings by accomplished illustrators (and penguin lovers) Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey combined with Sierra's lively poems will have your favorite kids giggling and, perhaps, wanting a pet baby penguin of their own!

Youngsters will dive, swim, and glide through playful poems such as "My Father's Feet," which begins: "To keep myself up on the ice,/I find my father's feet are nice./I snuggle in his belly fluff,/And that's how I stay warm enough." "Penguin's Swim" starts, "Ten little penguins all in a line--/One jumps in and now there are nine./Nine little penguins, how they hesitate--/One tumbles in and now there are eight." Sierra's poems are based on the lives and habits of emperor penguins, so your kids will learn about life in the Antarctic from a penguin's perspective. This book is as irresistible as the fish-slurping, huddling, fidgeting, waddling, ker-plopping penguins themselves! (Ideal for reading aloud, but perfect for early readers ages 4 to 8.)

Sing A Song Of Popcorn: Every Child's Book Of Poems

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

An excellent resource for elementary teachers :) 5 out of 5 stars.
18 of 18 people found this review helpful.

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of poetry and the beautiful illustrations which accompany. As a kindergarten teacher, I found the anthology to be an invaluable resource for introducing young children (or any children) to the world of poetry. :

Editorial Review:

Even if there were no wonderful poetry in this book (which there is), it would stand on its own as a stunning tribute to children's illustration. Nine Caldecott medalists are represented here, including Maurice Sendak, Arnold Lobel, and Leo and Diane Dillon. This meaty selection of more than 100 poems includes many old favorites such as "The Gingerbread Man" by Rowena Bennett and poems by A.A. Milne and e.e. cummings, as well as limericks, humorous verse, and contributions from many cultures. Each section of poems--grouped by themes ranging from "Spooky Poems" to "Mostly Nonsense"--is illustrated by a different artist. You'll find biographical notes about the illustrators and indexes to the poems by title, first line, and author. Any collector of beautiful children's books--young or not so young--will sing a song of glee while leafing through this excellent collection. (Ages 4 to 9)