A Child's Introduction to Poetry: Listen While You Learn About the Magic Words That Have Moved Mountains, Won Battles, and Made Us Laugh and Cry

Rating:
Summary: Could be so much better than it is!
Review: Although the book, with its illustrations, sidebars and accompanying cd, seemed so promising, in the end this is a disappointing compilation. The book and cd waste a lot of space with some of the most commonplace forms of poetry - Mother Goose rhymes and limericks - to which many parents will have already introduced their children. The book veers from nursery rhymes to multiple poems involving death to Shakespearean sonnets. The choices of poems within each form introduced could have been improved upon - many are downright uninteresting. Finally, I reached for the CD, hoping the purchase could be saved by the careful, luscious reading of selected excellent examples on it. Alas, alack. Two "professional" actors read - neither, unfortunately, possessing either the gravitas or the tonal depth to make the poems ring. And again, the cd is littered with limericks and nursery rhymes.

Rating:
Summary: Could be so much better than it is!
Review: Although the book, with its illustrations, sidebars and accompanying cd, seemed so promising, in the end this is a disappointing compilation. The book and cd waste a lot of space with some of the most commonplace forms of poetry - Mother Goose rhymes and limericks - to which many parents will have already introduced their children. The book veers from nursery rhymes to multiple poems involving death to Shakespearean sonnets. The choices of poems within each form introduced could have been improved upon - many are downright uninteresting. Finally, I reached for the CD, hoping the purchase could be saved by the careful, luscious reading of selected excellent examples on it. Alas, alack. Two "professional" actors read - neither, unfortunately, possessing either the gravitas or the tonal depth to make the poems ring. And again, the cd is littered with limericks and nursery rhymes.

Rating:
Summary: A great collection
Review: My daughter's only 3, but her latest routine is to pick poems from this book to read before bed. Which is great, it's something we both can enjoy. I like the book's entertaining illustrations and helpful, down-to-earth writing style. I'd recommend it to anyone!

Rating:
Summary: Must Have Poetry Book
Review: My nine-year-old son and I have been reading this book together and we both love it! The multi-media presentation (a CD with poems accompanies the book) is a great way to experience poetry in different genres.Difficult or Old English words are defined and the illustrations are adorable.

Rating:
Summary: A pure delight
Review: This book is a delight on many levels. I bought it primarily
for the wonderful illustrations. My granddaughter, who is not
yet 3 years old, loves it also. The accompanying CD has become
her favorite CD, replacing a Led Zeppelin one. She has already begun to memorize some of the simpler ones and she giggles with
the delight when she can add the final line to each of the
verses of "The Raven," - "only this, and nothing more," "Quoth
the raven, Nevermore," etc., along with the appropriate spooky intonations. Many of these poems bring back memories of my own
childhood (the nursery rhymes, Robert Louis Stevenson, Lear,
Blake, & Kipling) and then on up into high school and university.
Then for many years I didn't read poetry at all. I regret this
a great deal. I am happy to get my foot back in the door and
to bring my granddaughter along with me.

Rating:
Summary: THE CREME DE LA CREME!
Review: This must be the ULTIMATE introduction to poetry for kids! More than a mere anthology of some of the most popular works (from spooky to silly), it includes a rundown of the features and format of several different types of poetry, along with brief bios on the poets themselves (from classic to contemporary) that will interest just about everyone. Not only that, it also includes a glossary of poetic terms and techniques, AND a box on each page with quick definitions of more difficult words or phrases (which are highlighted) at a glance, so kids (and adults!) can read and enjoy without having to flip to the back of the book constantly. Often, the poems include a short historical explanation, so when reading one can envision the verse in context. All done in a kid-friendly, fun and lighthearted way, with colorful and humorous illustrations! To top all that off, it comes with a CD so you can listen as you read; or as I do, pop it in whenever just so the kids can listen and imagine while coloring, etc. The CD is soothing and delightful at bedtime for the kids, too.
I believe my daughters, ages 10 and (almost) 6, will be entertained and inspired by this book for many years to come. Hopefully, it will spark an interest in kids to seek out further works of the poets included in this amazing introduction, discover others, and perhaps even create some poetry of their own!

Rating:
Summary: THE CREME DE LA CREME!
Review: This must be the ULTIMATE introduction to poetry for kids! More than a mere anthology of some of the most popular works (from spooky to silly), it includes a rundown of the features and format of several different types of poetry, along with brief bios on the poets themselves (from classic to contemporary) that will interest just about everyone. Not only that, it also includes a glossary of poetic terms and techniques, AND a box on each page with quick definitions of more difficult words or phrases (which are highlighted) at a glance, so kids (and adults!) can read and enjoy without having to flip to the back of the book constantly. Often, the poems include a short historical explanation, so when reading one can envision the verse in context. All done in a kid-friendly, fun and lighthearted way, with colorful and humorous illustrations! To top all that off, it comes with a CD so you can listen as you read; or as I do, pop it in whenever just so the kids can listen and imagine while coloring, etc. The CD is soothing and delightful at bedtime for the kids, too.
I believe my daughters, ages 10 and (almost) 6, will be entertained and inspired by this book for many years to come. Hopefully, it will spark an interest in kids to seek out further works of the poets included in this amazing introduction, discover others, and perhaps even create some poetry of their own!