Amazon.com

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children was recognized upon itspublication in 1983 as an invaluable collection--a modern classic--and it has not since beensurpassed. Five hundred poems, selected by poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky, are divided intobroad subject areas such as nature, seasons, living things, children, and home. The poems of Emily Dickinson, Robert LouisStevenson, RobertFrost, LangstonHughes, NikkiGiovanni, and Gwendolyn Brooks populate the book's pages, while Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, Ogden Nash, and Shel Silverstein ensure thatthe collection delights even the most reluctant readers of rhyme. Playground chants, anonymousrhymes, 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 everypage, Arnold Lobel (a Caldecott medalist and creator of the Frog and Toad series) unifies thediverse poems to form a satisfying whole; Lobel can draw anything and make it funny--orpoignant, if he chooses. This collection, one of the most varied and complete around, will carryany budding poetry lover through childhood and beyond. (Ages 5 to 11.) ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Remembered Forever
I taught myself how to read with this book. I remembered it all my life and bought it for my neice when she was learning to read. I am buying one for my cousin's baby and my friend's baby, and every little child I know. And I'm getting another copy for myself. Every child, boy or girl, should at least have this book of poetry if they can have no other.

After all these years...
I'll be 26 this year, but I'm still able to recite some poems in their entirety... and I haven't seen a copy of the book since I was in the fourth grade. I'm amazed to see that it is still in print and I can't wait to add it to my library again after losing it 16 years ago. This is an excellent gift for any child who enjoys reading and/or poetry.

The Best Book Ever
You should buy the book The Random Book of Poetry for Children because it has funny poems, sad poems, and happy poems. All together it has 572 poems. It can be for children and adults. Also it is my favorite poem book. I think you should buy it. Thank You

*LOVE* this book
Wonderful, just wonderful, this collection of children's poetry sparkles and adds life and verve to any classroom. From the opening stanza of "The Boy What Done A Poo" and the haunting reworking of Goldstein's "Ahhh, I'm telling Miss of you" this anthology will thrill children of all ages, and grown ups too!
(I must point out, however, that the inclusion of controversial poet Sean Hickey's "Bang Bang You're Dead 50 Bullets In Your Head" might cause younger readers some concern).

a real treasure
this book is both wonderful and entertaining. A great book to read to a child and it will bring laughter to you both. Funny adventurous and beautifully illustrated. Introduce your little one to poetry with this great selection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Shel Silverstein shook the staid world of children's poetry in 1974 with the publicationof this collection, and things haven't been the same since. More than four and a half millioncopies of Where the Sidewalk Ends have been sold, making it the bestselling children'spoetry book ever. With this and his other poetry collections (A Light in the Attic and Falling Up), Silverstein reveals his genius for reaching kidswith 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 130poems is funny in a different way, or touching ... or both. Some approach naughtiness or are a bitdisgusting to squeamish grown-ups, but that's exactly what kids like best about Silverstein'swork. Jim Trelease, author of The New Read-Aloud Handbook, calls this book"without question, the best-loved collection of poetry for children." (Ages 4 to10) ... Read more

Reviews (110)

Imaginative, Silly and Timeless
Sometimes I'll lay in bed before work and I'll recite in my head a poem I learned when I was 10 - I can not go to school today said little Peggy Anne McKay. I have the measles and the mumps, a gash, a rash and purple bumps... - and to this day I still retrieve my old copy of Where the Sidewalk Ends and read through Mr. Silverstein's compilation of poems. I will never tire of his genius musings and look forward to sharing them with my children, grandchildren, etc. I'm buying the audio format along with the book for my baby goddaughter for Christmas so that she can listen to Mr. Silverstein's voice narrating his wonderful collection, then read along when she gets old enough. I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for something imaginative, silly and timeless.

Delightful, nonsensical poetry for ages 2-102
I was intrduced to "Where The Sidewalk Ends" by my second grade reading teacher in the fall of 1978. The author, Shel Silverstein, had an incredible gift. He could make kids fans of poetry! (One of those kids happened to be my 38 year-old father). From the moment I opened the book and recited "Sick" for the very first time, I fell in love with Mr. Silverstein's books.

My brilliant teacher had each member of the class perform a poem from "Where The Sidewalk Ends". He made lovers of poetry of us all, and an actress out of me. For years to come, I won numerous talent contests performing "Sick" for audiences of all ages.

I love each and every poem in this book. Everybody who loves to laugh MUST read "Ma and God", "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out", "The Dirtiest Man In the World", and "Sick", my all-time favorite.

"Where the Sidewalk Ends" and Shel Silverstein changed my life forever. It was today, May 10, 1999, that I read he had passed away. The world has lost an amazing contributer to children's literature. "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and all of Mr. Silverstein's other books are the delightful legacy that he has left behind. I encourage children and parents alike to open this book and let the laughter in.

"For the Children, they mark,and the children, they know

The place where the sidewalk ends."

the best book ever
I love this book!!! I have read probably a thousand times since i got it when i was 6. I never get tired of it. I like the way he mixes the serious poems in with the funny ones.My favorite poem is Ickle me, Pickle me, Tickle me too. This is the best book ever!!!

Fun Poetry for People of Any Age
Silverstein's poems may not be beautiful or thought-provoking. In fact, they are a bit on the strange side. I have first gotten this book in first grade, and I have read it many times. A great poem that I would recommend is 'The Crocodile and the Dentist' (I believe that is the correct title of it).

If you're a parent, take time to read this with your children. Both of you will enjoy the creative and funny poems by Shel Silverstein.

Fun in a Book
I am reading this book right now and thought that I would come onto the website to review it for you. Actually my older sister who is sixteen is in speech and used one of the poems out of this book for her speech. She had three minutes to say 6 poems about friendship, she recieved a 1 and 2 2's. The scoring was one is the best and 3 is the worst. The poem she used was "Hug O' War". I absolutely love this book! ... Read more

Amazon.com

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) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great fun, even for kids who aren't "insect lovers"
This is a book of poems about insects. The poems are great; their content is funny and rhythmic. Through the poems we learn about the various insects. Some have very creative text formatting such as the inchworm; the text is shaped like a humped-up inchworm. The illustrations are very creative collages that are unique compared to most other children's books.

I began reading this when my first son was 2 years old and he loved the poems then and he loves them now. Neither of my children are otherwise very interested in reading about insects but this book captures their interest and they laugh hysterically at some of these poems. After reading these they have found some of the more unusual insects such as the walking stick outdoors and called it to my attention. We've owned the book for 3 years, every once in a while my now-5 year old will find it and get excitedly proclaim "we haven't read this in a long time" and begs me to read it again (and again and again).

Some of the insects featured are the inchworm, tick, walking stick, praying mantis, monarch butterfly, daddy long legs spider and army ants.

The poems are so much fun I don't mind reading the entire book two or three times in a row. A fun book to read to young children. This is good reading for just plain fun or to introduce poetry or to enhance learning about insects and nature.

It's great! (Ethan 5) It's Wonderful (Alissa 6)
We just love reading Insectlopedia! My 6 year old daughter andmy 5 year old son both think it is a great read. Ethan & Alissalike the poem about the Whirligig Beetles the best.

Excellent Book Filled with Info!
I read this book while sitting in the Dr.'s office this week. It was not only fun to read, but educational as well. At 27 I learned some interesting things about insects! And the illustrations are outstanding, especially for adults who can look further into the artwork.

enchanting poems not only for children
Florian created a wonderful book of poems that captured the youthful joy and echantment of the insect world. Each poem is unique and the accompanying illustrations are whimsical and fun. Both parents and children will love this book.

A pure delight!
As a children's author myself, I look at a LOT of picture books each year. INSECTLOPEDIA was one I simply had to have. The poems and art are equally witty, and it seems to me the perfect gift book, to be enjoyed and appreciated by children (and adults) of all ages. Every time I show it to someone, we find something new to delight us in the art work. A wonderful book! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In all likelihood, your mother or father read you these poems and remember theirparents reading the same. This collection of poetry by the creator of Winnie the Pooh was firstpublished in 1924. With its companion volume Now We Are Six, the little books becametwo of the biggest bestsellers in publishing history. Children all over the world have heard aboutchanging the guard at Buckingham Palace; James James Morrison Morrison Weather by GeorgeDupree; 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'spoems too, as some of his humor is subtly directed at a more sophisticated audience. But youngerchildren are the ones who love the naughty Mary Jane (lovely rice pudding again?) and the bearson the corners of London's streets. Read these poems aloud and pass along (or start) a familytradition. (Ages 5 to 9) ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great poems for our smallest bookworms
Re-reading the poems in this volume takes me back to when I was very young, and fast-forwards to me reading them to my son when he was three or four. A.A. Milne's timeless verses stay with us long after other childhood books have been forgotten. Every child has his or her own favorites; I remember my son especially loved listening to "James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupree", "The King's Breakfast" (The King asked the Queen and the Queen asked the Dairymaid: "Could we have some butter for the Royal slice of bread?"), and Emmeline, who slipped off in a snit when someone told her her hands weren't clean. Ernest Shepard's simple pen and ink drawings are a nice compliment to the poems. Reading these poems to your youngsters is sure to be the start (or the continuation) of a family tradition.

Perfect poems for small children
When I was a little boy, my father would read these poems to me. I still have my heavily-battered copy, and every time I look through it, I am overwhelmed with fond memories. The poems in this book are often very simple, but all are very sweet, and Ernest Shepard's illustrations perfectly complement the poems. Every child should have a copy of this book.

poems for childhood remembered
Forget the smoke-filled coffee shop, the microphone on the podium and the beatnicks huddled around their coffees. The real test of a reader's poetic prowess is A.A. Milne, the living room couch and a handful of kids waiting for your renderings of growling bears and timelessl human characters.

It takes an extraordinary book to capture children's attention on the strength of words alone.

It's not that there are no illustrations here, just that each poem has just one or two small, original ink drawings; delightful, but bowing appropriately to the genius of words that can hold children spellbound. For instance, Milne takes a subject like sidewalks and transforms it into the stuff of playacting in Lines and Squares - an irresistible cadence to chant on a walk (or a lumbering gait):

And the masses of bears
Who wait at the corners all ready to eat the sillies who tread on the lines of the street
And I say to them, "BEARS.....
Just look how I'm walking in ALL of the squares!"

As I read I can now recall the precise inflection and finger-shaking combination from Disobedience that it took to elicit giggles from my sisters and me, now working its comedy on my four-year-old son:

James James SAID to his mother, "Mother", he said, said he;
"You Must Never Go Down To The End Of Town If You Don't Go Down With ME!"

When We Were Very Young is a collection of poems for children, about childhood, and for those who wish to remember its special magic view on the world. This book is a beloved tradition in my family, starting with those cozy evenings on my Grandmother's couch as we all snuggled up to hear about the brownie that lives behind the curtain, Jonathan Jo (who had a mouth like an O), the three foxes and Christopher Robin, who couldn't stop his hoppity hop. Your family is sure to find its own traditions in reading these poems to each other, young and old alike.

It reminds me of Dad
My father died 10 years ago when I was nineteen. I know he used to read "when we were very young" to me when I was a child, but it wasn't until I began to read the poems as bedtime stories to my 2 year old, that I began to remember my dad's emphasis and inflections. As I read my favourites to my son, I can almost hear Dad reading them to me.

I am thrilled that my son asks for Christopher Robin as his bedtime stories and "Hoppity" and "Market Square" have become his favourites too. He is an avid reader and I am just beginning to introduce him to poetry, what better way than A A Milne - It makes me feel like a child again and connects a grandson and a grandfather who never met each other.

Like "A Child's Garden of Verses"
Like "A Child's Garden of Verses," the Robert Louis Stevenson classic, A.A. Milnes' "When We Were Very Young," collects and reminds us of childhood bliss. However, unlike Stevenson, Milne has the whimsy of Edward Lear's limericks and verse. Milne captures the joy and gentleness of youth.

For example, Milne has a poem with a refrain, "Jonathon Jo/has a mouth like an 'O'" It is fun to say, and it almost means something. Another poem talks about halfway up and down the stairs, getting a child to see the difference and sameness of the situation, great for critical thinking.

If you want pure silly humor, go buy Silverstein, but for great writing and solid bedtime reading to teach your child wit and poetry, buy this tiny book. There's a good chance you will like it as well. ... Read more

Book Description

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.

Reviews (12)

Engaging! Hilarious! Great fun!
Jack Prelutsky's A Pizza The Slice of the Sun is the talk of my reading classes! The poems are a terrific way to engage my remedial readers' thinking skills while tickling their funny bones -- even on a bad day! They look forward to the silly, creative ways Mr. Prelutsky looks at life, and often ask for an extra "listening skills" activity just to get to hear another round of silly poems. We often use the Random House Book of Poetry for Children edited by Prelutsky and Lobel as well. Another classic sure to put a grin on everyone's face! Who says poetry has to be boring?!? A definite MUST HAVE for any classroom library!

My Daughter Loved It!
Young girls budding on becoming teenagers are hard to please...but this book did it.

My 10 year old loved the book and I frequently enjoy hearing her read it to her younger sibling.

I feel it teaches children as they are reading it. Not only does it teach them poetry and poems, it also teaches them it is ok to have fun in life...a difficult concept for serious children.

I would recommend this book to those who have children who enjoy reading and need help in prioritization.

Just OK
The book A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelusty was just okay. I gave this book two stars. My favorite poem was "I Was Walking in a Circle" because it keeps going on and on. Some of the poems were boring. I would not recommend this book to anyone else because I do not like poetry.

FUN FUN FUN and FUNNIER!
We love this book! My twin 8 year olds and I read this from time to time for a really good laugh. Everyone takes turns and it makes for enjoyable reading and sharing. A great way to capture the hesitant reader! Silly poetry that is just plain FUN!

a real kid pleaser
My grandsons....ages 8, 3 and 2...all love this CD. We play it every morning on the way to school and they all sing along. To say I recommend it would be an understatement ... Read more

Amazon.com

Even if there were no wonderful poetry in this book (which there is), it would stand onits own as a stunning tribute to children's illustration. Nine Caldecott medalists are representedhere, including MauriceSendak, ArnoldLobel, and Leo and DianeDillon. 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 notesabout the illustrators and indexes to the poems by title, first line, and author. Any collector ofbeautiful children's books--young or not so young--will sing a song of glee while leafing throughthis excellent collection. (Ages 4 to 9) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A great addition of any bookshelf
This marriage of poetry and illustrations is like no other. As an educator I enjoy the layout of the book. The poems are divided into categories such as poems about weather, spooky poems, and animal poems. The illustrations are by Caldecott Medal artists - the best of the best! I have purchased countless copies of Sing a Song of Popcorn as it is a perfect gift to give to families to celebrate the arrival of a new baby. It is a book that all members of the family can enjoy - the young ones will enjoy the rhyming patterns of some of the poems and the silliness of others. The adults will treasure the inclusion of such classic poems as Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" and Jack Prelutsky's entertaining "The Spaghetti Nut".

Collection of fantastic poems
You don't have to be a certain age to enjoy this book, full of wonderful poems from various well known poets. There is a poem for every walk of life in this book. This book is sure to be on your shelf for many years to come!

An excellent resource for elementary teachers :)
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. : ... Read more

Amazon.com

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 readerswondering, "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 Jeffersanswers these questions visually--the kindly older gentleman who narrates the poem stops hissleigh to feed the forest birds and creatures. He stops once more to visit his daughter andgrandchildren, 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 andblanket are the only bright touches of color in the white and wintry world of the woods. Thisquiet yet powerful book has a magic all its own. (Ages 4 to 7) ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A Gift of Poetry & Beauty
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening is Susan Jeffers' illustrated book of the Robert Frost poem. It is a beautifully illustrated book which can be enjoyed by the parent as a child sits snugly on their lap.

I think it is a book that shows a great deal of respect. It respects the intelligence of the child by introducing beautiful "adult" poetry to the young. Simultaneously it is respectful of the adult reader allowing them to read something which is jointly appealing. This is ideally how an illustrated book should be. It should have appeal to both the reader and the listener and this book is a perfect example of that.

Susan Jeffers illustrations are exquisite. She captures the quiet beauty of the woods on a snowy evening. Animals peak from behind trees and bushes watching the man and his sleigh. There is plenty to be observed by child and parent while reading this book . It will be a thrill to find and name the animals while reading the book. Every page is a work of art.

The illustrations also work to tell a story within a story providing possible explanations for why the man is in the woods on that particular evening. Children will have some fun seeing the kinds of this this old gentleman does when no one is watching.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening is a wonderful wintertime book, but will make an excellent read in any season. What a wonderful gift for an adult to make for a child, a gift of poetry and beauty.

Quiet Beauty
This perfect blend of poetry and artistry makes a memorable reading experience for readers of any age. Susan Jeffers' illustrations not only capture the mood of the poem but also add her own unique, sometimes humorous, twist. Children will especially love looking for the animals "hidden" in the pencil drawings.

Just as I pictured it
When illustrators provide their visual representation of a well-loved story or poem, I'm often disappointed. That's not how I pictured it, I complain.

Well, not in this case. I love this poem dearly, with both "promises to keep" and "miles to go before I sleep" being recurring themes in how I think about what I need to get done each week. And behind the philosopy is the image of a bearded man driving his carriage through the snow on the way home to his waiting family. My father, I think, is the guy in my mental images of this.

The artwork in this book is absolutely delightful, and serves to make more vivid the images that were already in my mind. I love the poem, I love the art, and I love sharing these things with my daughter, who also loves this book.

Gorgeous, captivating
This gorgeously illustrated book with the classic Frost poem is a beautiful way to share poetry with children. When kids get older they can be introduced to deeper ideas behind the poem -- this book is a wonderful introduction to the poem, and Frost's work in general. Poetry-snobs will probably look down on this book, which is all the more reason to like it, buy it, and share it with every kid around.

A Fine Way to Treat Your Children to Robert Frost
Please read the poem to your children out loud if they're old enough to follow it. Allow them the intense pleasure of visualizing the scene on their own before sharing another person's visualization with them. By all means, share this book, a beautiful, atmospheric slice of winter with them. Susan Jeffers has done such a splendid job on the illustrations. They are a hushed, crunchy-cold excursion into the dark solstice night in the deep woods. The only bits of color come from the living beings, the colorful man and his grandchildren and the shy forest animals he comes to feed. The stark, snow covered tree branches are illuminated to perfection and the big feathery snowflakes float down about you as you read. My favorite picture is the second to last one but I won't spoil it by telling you about it, except to say, see if it doesn't perfectly capture the reality you remember. This is a lovely book in and of itself, regardless of others that may have come before. Enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

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

Reviews (12)

the best
I have always loved this rhyme, and when I found a version illustrated by Jan Brett, I knew that for me this would be the definitive version. Jan Brett's illustrations bring the Caribbean Islands to life right in front of your eyes. The cat with her headscarf, the beautiful tropical fish in the borders, the lush vegetation, this is so richly illustrated that you can look at the pages over and over again. And if you tire of the Owl and the Pussycat, there's always the story told in the borders to provide a change.

Hand in hand, on the edge of the sand....
Spectacularly beautiful illustrations make this book a joy. The familiar poem has a gently rocking rhythm, and the pictures have a flow of their own. My 18-month-old daughter likes to find the flower, the yellow fish, the cat and the owl on each page. The quiet familiarity of the poem calms her down during the nighttime crazies (that spurt of energy toddlers get just before they collapse into a puddle). I recommend this book for a soothing, visually delightful experience.

Amazing Illustrations
My daughter loves this book and I don't mind reading it over and over again thanks to the beautiful illustrations. I always notice something new and wonderful and what a fantastic idea for a setting.

Beautiful But Ridiculous
As I'm sure you know, owls and cats don't make fast friends (something that makes the Hopperoo a lover of the owl). And that's what makes this book so ridiculous. Of course, it is a fairy tale and the illustrations are beautiful.

On the other hand, I once took my ailurophilic spouse Bessie on a camping trip to one of those cat-ridden ghost towns in New Mexico (Winston) and the interaction between owl and kitty cat was not quite as Lear describes in his charming book--imagine an entire evening interupted by the continual caterwauls of nature's inferior puddy tat. I only wish Bobo (her annoying tabby) had been along for the ride!!! Recommended, but not as enjoyable as the Winston Owlprey Symphony Orchestra.

Beautiful book with depth!
This is one of my favorite all-time books. I have always loved the story. My mother recited it so often that it was one of the first things I memorized. It's whimsical, sweet and has interesting characters and locations. When I found this edition with Jan Brett's illustrations, I was captivated. I have read it to my four children over and over again, and I always find a new detail that I missed before. Wonderful book!!! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Every Child Deserves This Beautiful Book
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.

Beyond Mother Goose
This has become my favorite gift of all that I received for our now almost 3 year old twin boys. The illustrations are gorgeous and the poems vary widely in subject matter and flavor. It is a perfect introduction to poetry after Mother Goose. I've been reading it to them from about 18 months on, and they've grown to love it. They know many of the poems by heart. I think it is a book that they will read over and over for years to come. I now give this book out as gifts to other new parents.

Educators Recommend
The Kennedys have done a superb job in selecting the poems for this read-aloud. The titles run the gamut of sweetly simple (Langston Hughes' "Piggy Back"), to the powerful (Georgia Roberts Durston's "The Wolf").

There is something for everyone here. Readers will find old favorites-"The Purple Cow"-as well as a few not-so-well-known but soon-to-be favorites such as William Jay Smith's lovely and lyrical "Polar Bear."

The book is divided into nine, themed sections: Plays, Families, Just for Fun, Birds, Bugs, and Beasts, Rhymes and Songs, Magic and Wonder, Wind and Weather, Calendars and Clocks, and, finally, Day and Night.

Making their appearance are, among others, Robert Louis Stevenson, Joan Aiken, Jane Yolen, Gwendolyn Books, A. A. Milne, and Wallace Stevens.

Jane Dyer, as always, does a magnificent job with the illustrations. There are full-page pictures and spot art throughout, extending and enriching the text. Readers will want to linger over the realistic, charming watercolors.

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff

A Beautiful Anthology with a Wonderful Variety of Poems
This is a beautiful book both visually and in content. The watercolor illustrations are in the realistic style painted in fine detail. My daughter loves to look at the pictures closely as we read the poems aloud.

The poems selected cover a wide range of topics, themes, and moods. There are funny poems like limericks, serious poems about the seasons, poems about how children sometimes feel (such as the one about the boy who didn't do anything right yesterday, so he's not getting out of bed today) bedtime poems, and poems about child play.

This book was a gift and I love it so much I've since given it to other parents and children to enjoy. Everyone has been enthusiastic about it. When my daughter selects this book (which is often) it's fun for us to browse through the pages and pick poems based on the illustrations or on our mood. We'll say, let's read about sleepytime poems, or let's read funny poems. She never tires of this book. There are hundreds of poems to choose from, but the scope is not overwhelming either.

I give this book my highest recommendation. Every home should have some poetry on the shelf!

Great Book of Poetry For Children (and Parents)
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. ... Read more

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Even the most educated marine biologist could learn something from this whimsical, beautifully illustrated collection of 21 poems about sea life. Some of the poems are pure silly fun ("There are uglier fish than a blennie-- / But not many."), and others are gracefully infiltrated with animal facts ("Did you know the ocean's oysters / Sometimes change from girls to boysters?"). Douglas Florian, whose Beast Feast and On the Wing received high praise, accompanies each of his delightful poems with a stunning watercolor painting. In addition to capturing the liquid blur of an underwater world, the illustrations incorporate subtle visual jokes; for example, the salmon are doing the high jump, and the seahorses are wearing saddles. It's no fish story--Florian's combination of intelligent, funny rhymes and rich, irresistible paintings will make a splash in your home! (Ages 3 and older) ... Read more

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In this engaging poetry collection, popular children's book illustrator Tomie dePaolasucceeds again in creating cheerful, rib-tickling animal characters, from the renegade reptile inEve Merriam's"Alligator in the Escalator" to the cavorting cats in T. S. Eliot's "The Song ofthe Jellicles." This thoughtful selection of 86 poems--in a spacious, oversized format-- includes well-known works from William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, andFrederico Garcia Lorca, with a sprinkling of haiku for good measure. Many youngsters are drawnto the simplicity of dePaola's art, which includes pictures of children of all races at home and atplay. A great beginning poetry book. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

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Introduce your child to poetry
Tomie De Paola's Book of Poems offers a wide selection of poetry--loosely organized by theme. There's a nice multicultural mix in the selection as well as a sampling of writing by female authors. The simple, stunning illustrations attract the youngest readers. I started reading poetry to my daughter when she was 6 months old and now at two years old she can recite some of it back to me. This is a lovely volume which serves as a nice compliment to simpler nursery rhymes. ... Read more

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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.) ... Read more

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Antarctic Antics a book of Penguin Poems Review
Antarctic Antics is a wonderful book to read to children if they love to hear about animals. This book is all about penguins and their daily activities. The author, Judy Sierra did an excellent job in writing cute poems about the artic animal. The illustrations were done by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. The pictures relate well with the pomes as they are written within the illustrations. The illustrations are full pages and add excellent color to the page as the poem is enjoyed. The poems in this book create a sense of smell, taste, sight, and touch. The poems are about what goes on in a penguins life adn the child can relate to their senses as the poems are read to them. One poem called Regurgitate is about a baby penguin. He wants his dad to regurgitate his food; this poem is liked by children. This has the qualities of taste, sight, smell, and touch. There are many more great poems to read to children that they will enjoy. This book has an excellent collection of poems that children will enjoy. The poems mee the requirements fo children poetry. The book has a way ar teaching the students about penguins and their ways of life. The illustrations done by Aruego and Dewey add a signifiacant amount to the poems as they are read.

Poems About Penguins.
First of all, I love this book because I love penguins. However, as a piece of children's literature, it's so much more. This is an excellent example of how literature (poetry) and science can go hand and hand. There are some poems in this book that seem written just for fun, (e.g. "Be My Penguin"). However, most of the poems in this book are written about and around actual behaviors that penguins exhibit: from regurgiating their food to feed the young ("Regurgitate") to the motherly instincts of father penguins ("A Hatchling's Song" and "My Father's Feet") to poetic riddles about penguin predators (sea lion, killer whale). The book is charming, easy to read, and full of delightful penguin illustrations. A great gift for any child interesting in science or literature or anyone who (like me) just loves penguins.

Antarctic Antics
I purchased the CD because of the good reviews on the book. My seven year old loved the CD and I was surprised to find myself singing along. He's been learning about penguins at school - this is definitely a good way to reinforce what he has learned while having lots of fun in the process.

Fun for kids of all ages
An adult friend recommended this book to me (also an adult), figuring that I'd enjoy anything containing a poem titled "Regurgitate." She was right, and I found the rest of the book well-written and well-crafted, full of similar humor and the kind of realism-in-viewpoint that is sometimes (too often) lacking in books that feature animals. The illustrations are also excellent. I'm told that children do enjoy this book, but it's also captivated many of my adult friends ... including one woman to whom I presented a copy for her 55th birthday. Quality shines through any good work, and that's definitely true of "Antarctic Antics."

Charming
The book was very entertaining for my five year old granddaughter, making her laugh as well as learn about penguins.

The art work was as well done as the writing. I recommend it to anyone who is sly enough to teach through laughter and rhyme. ... Read more

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Soul Looks Back In Wonder
This is a lavishly illustrated collection of poetry aimed at African American young adults. The Amazon age range seems to be a bit low (4-8)- I would suggest 10 and up. As Tom Feelings states: "too many teenagers are growing up in an environment where indifference and hostility are bullets aimed straight at the core of their spirits. One way to project our positive hopes for the future is for young people to see their own beauty reflected in our eyes, through our work. And so this book is for our precious young African sisters and brothers, who are our today and our tomorrow." All of the artwork is by Tom Feelings, and the poets featured are: Maya Angelou, Lucille Clifton, Alexis De Veaux, Mari Evans, Darryl Holmes, Langston Hughes, Rashidah Ismaili, Haki R. Madhubuti, Walter Dean Myers, Mwatabu Okantah, Eugene B. Redmond, Askia M. Toure and Margaret Walker. There are also brief biographies of each of the poets. This is a beautifully illustrated poetry book. The poetry stresses the beauty and power of African Americans, and it is well reflected in the illustrations. This book would be excellent to use in a poetry study, or as part of a study of black history. The short length of this book, along with the excellent illustrations, make it a great choice to use as an introduction to poetry. ... Read more

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Ashley Bryan's ABC of African American Poetry is not an alphabet book. Award-winning children's book author and former teacher Ashley Bryan has simply hit upon a straightforward way to present the work of his favorite African American poets: he uses a letter of each poem to organize the 25 excerpts and one African American spiritual. His vibrant artwork, with bold strokes of paint reminiscent of Vincent van Gogh, successfully captures the essence of each piece."As I read," Bryan writes, "images sprang from the lines of the poets... Finally, I chose the sketches that offered a balanced play of images and did finished paintings from them in tempera paints and gouache colors."

Poems ranging from the intense to the whimsical reflect the diverse voices of poets such as Rita Dove, Lucille Clifton, and Gwendolyn Brooks. A colorful elephant stands solidly next to Countee Cullen's poem: "Dear Noah: Please save me a spot / Exposed to the sun, where the Mice are not; / But if I must share my chamber, the Ant / Is the one I should welcome. Yours: L. E. Phant." From Langston Hughes we hear, "There are words like Freedom / Sweet and wonderful to say. / On my heart-strings freedom sings / All day everyday." And Eloise Greenfield chimes in with "Harriet Tubman didn't take no stuff / Wasn't scared of nothing neither / Didn't come in this world to be no slave / And wasn't going to stay one neither." This innovative, easy-to-absorb, boldly illustrated introduction to a rich variety of African American poets would be a valuable addition to any child's bookshelf. (All ages) ... Read more

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Beautiful, breath-taking
The illustrations in this book are so beautiful, words can not explain. It is a simple read that introduces the little ones to poetry. Most poems are excerpts of a stanza or a few lines and the picture corresponds to the poem. Each poem either starts with the letter of the letter is bold in the poem and ties in the picture. For example, F=freedom, but the poem's first letter is not F, so F is bold in the word freedom. Highly recommended for the entire family.

Awesome Images!
We love this book and are purchasing a second copy so we can cut out the images and frame them. Ashley Bryan is a master of art! Bryan uses only portions of poems by wonderful poets, the stanzas chosen match the images perfectly and make the reader want to find the entire poem to read! Highly recommended by this family ... Read more

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A great book to use in the classroom when teaching poetry.
This book was a fantastic support when teaching 5th graders to move beyond "recipe" poetry. The ode structure helps them find the poetry in their day to day experiences. They thoroughly enjoyed listening to Gary Soto's odes, and were eager to write their own. ... Read more

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"I saw Esau kissing Kate, / The fact is we all three saw; / For I saw him, / And he saw me, / And she saw I saw Esau." So goes the schoolyard chant that graces this brilliant collection with its title. This "Schoolchild's Pocket Book," edited by lore and literature legends Iona and Peter Opie and gleefully illustrated by Maurice Sendak, definitely belongs on every child's shelf, right next to Mother Goose nursery rhymes and Grimms' fairy tales. I Saw Esau was first published in Great Britain in 1947, but it is vibrantly alive today as a glorious, whimsical collection of more than 170 schoolyard rhymes, ranging from insults and riddles to tongue twisters, jeers, and jump-rope rhymes--"clearly not rhymes that a grandmother might sing to a grandchild on her knee," writes Iona Opie in her introduction. We adore this sturdy, beautifully designed, pocket-sized book of funny, sometimes twisted, but always perfectly illustrated morsels of schoolyard tradition and history. (Ages 4 to 8, and all other ages, too) ... Read more

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I Saw Esau
A delightful book for kids of all ages! Each page of this book has delightful, light, charming prose. The illustrations by Maurice Sendak put the final touches on a lovely, well-bound volume of reading for a family to share or a child to escape to a cozy window-seat and read. I recommend this book for someone who wants to give a nice, lasting gift to a special child or friend. ... Read more

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I can't believe this is out of print
This is a terrific book. In using it as a children's librarian, I never met a kid who didn't love it -- and many wanted to check it out right away. It's got a strong heroine & lots of humor. James Marshall's pictures are perfect for the Ogden Nash poem.

The Adventures of Isabel
My son is 4 and loves this book! We have read it every night this week, at his request. It is a wonderful book for learning new words (cavernous, scurry). It taps into my son's sense of the absurd. The theme of a child conquering big, scary things is very age appropriate. I highly recommend this book!

Pretty Good
We got this book because we thought it was WRITTEN by James Marshall. Oops. Was told it was a good "positive book for girls" etc. kind of stuff. Yeah. Its okay. The rhymes just aren't very in-sync. Sorry, but its just okay. Some of the phraseology is not easy for younger children to understand. Since this book apparently is supposed to flow, by rhyme, taking time to explain (why Isabel gave the doctor a cure by giving him his own shot in the butt, for example) each new rhyme on each new page of Isabel's weird adventures makes it unappealing. I haven't been asked to reread this book since I bought it. PS. James Marshall does a great job illustrating, though! :)

The Adventures of Isabel
This is absolutely my favorite children's book. Every little girl should read and enjoy it. I recommend it for big girls too. It's the best! ... Read more

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The Mermaid and Other Sea Poems by Sophie Windham (Editor)
A whimsical concoction of poems with the sea as the theme. Poems are illustrated with fantastical & colorful drawings that draw you in to the action & focus of the poem. The personal reason for my purchasing this book was because one of Windham's illustrations was inspirational in the tattoo of a mermaid that I got about a year ago. Fun for reading to kids. Short & Sweet bedtime rhymes! ... Read more

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Do you remember brave Belinda and her "realio, trulio, little pet dragon"? This Ogden Nash classic has been a favorite of children for more than 60 years and until recently was unavailable in a picture-book version. Artist Lynn Munsinger has rejuvenated the poem with her chuckle-inducing illustrations of no-nonsense Belinda and the cowardly green and purple dragon Custard. Belinda was a brave role model for young girls back when females weren't encouraged to stand up for themselves, and Custard's hidden reserve of strength has no doubt inspired children for several generations. Hooked on Custard? The next adventure unfolds in Custard the Dragon and the Wicked Knight, which followed this popular picture book. (Ages 3 to 8) ... Read more

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One of my favorites & a wonderful read-aloud!
This is absolutely one of the best books out there! I am a teacher and I enjoy reading this book immensely. The story is fun and whimsical to read. While one reviewer was "upset" by how the other characters were not very empathetic to Custard's fears and even teased him, I look at this aspect of the book as an opportunity to discuss it with my students and my 3 children. It's a great springboard into a discussion on kindness and perspective. Whatever you do, don't pass this one up because of that review. I was amazed this book had less than 5 stars. Parents will love reading this to their children. Also, a great discussion on the true meaning of bravery can ensue as a result of this book.

So much fun - made me want a dragon...
"Guess what happened in the little white house/ Where Belinda lived with a little gray mouse,/ And a kitten, and a puppy, and a little red wagon,/ and a realio, trulio, little pet dragon." I personally feel that lyrical poetry is a great tool to help children learn to read. It helps them to feel the rhythms of the English language, they can anticipate what will come next, and then they can memorize passages - it's just a wonderful thing.

So many kids have loved this book - I read a review about some of the characters being "mean" to Custard... I can see what the reviewer meant, but I don't agree - the characters are all sort of larger than life and absurd in their own way. I don't think that they come off as mean - but that's just my opinion...

Mean spirited
Isn't anyone else bothered by how mean the other characters are to Custard? All he wants is to be in his own little cage, safe and sound, but they all make fun of him! He is "teased unmerciful" and constantly taunted by the others.

Even when he makes his wonderful courageous stand, the others end up belittling him!

Yes, the language flows beautifully and I LOVE the description of Custard. But, typical of Nash, the mean-spiritedness of the characters overshadows everything else.

Nash is just so cool
I have always loved Ogden Nash's writing. The words that he chooses paint wonderful images. The sounds are melodic and provide kids with an opportunity to develop an ear for language. I want more of Nash's writing to come back into print. His writing is truly sumptuous.

Timeless Classic
My mother read this poem to us out of a Childcraft book -- we all memorized the story because we loved it so much. I am so excited to be able to buy the book version to keep forever and hopefully read to my own children one day! ... Read more

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Beast Feast
It is very funny. I'll give the The Walrus In His Chair a "two thumbs up." I memorized The Bat for a Poetry Reading for school. I give The Barracuda some very earth-eating competition. niknnik (Evan, 9) ... Read more