Book Review: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this collection of poetry is a
rich and comprehensive anthology, a true classic that should be
on every family's book shelf. Of the 572 poems, some are more
appropriate for younger readers, some for older. But, overall,
read with an eye to what is age-appropriate; this is a treasury
to be enjoyed by all.
Families can read the poems together, finding ones that fit special occasions or specific seasons of the year. They can enjoy the silly kid-humor of the Nonsense section, or soft, sensitive poems about being a child, a watcher of nature, or a romantic dreamer. Which are your favorites and why?
Common Sense Media Review
Despite its no-nonsense title, THE RANDOM HOUSE BOOK OF
POETRY FOR CHILDREN is a playfully formatted, entertaining
collection of poems that will delight the entire family for
years. Readers of all ages will find poems to fit any season,
occasion, or mood and, even with repeated readings, will find
something new and exciting to enjoy within its pages. The book
is divided into 14 broad themes. An original poem by Jack
Prelutsky, the first Poet Laureate for Children, introduces
each thematic section, and each section is chockfull of works
ranging from nursery rhymes to poems by William Shakespeare and
Dr. Seuss. Familiar, traditional poems mingle with the fresh
and unknown, the serious poems with the silly, and the old
voices with new. The mix is engaging.
To add even more fun to these pages of poetry, illustrator Arnold Lobel brought his Caldecott Award-winning touch. His over 400 drawings and paintings make poetry all the more friendly and accessible to kids. Book-reading dinosaurs, plump smiling toads, and chubby-cheeked children are guaranteed to captivate even the most reluctant readers. The fun of poetry comes through here, and that was Prelutsky's aim when, in 1983, he first filled this book with poems he felt kids would like. Happily, he succeeded. And, 25 years later it has become a classic. Without a doubt, it will become one of the most dog-eared volumes on your bookshelf.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
