Julie Andrews' Treasury for All Seasons: Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Year

by Julie Andrews Edwards (Editor), Emma Walton Hamilton (Editor), Marjorie Priceman (Illustrator)

A vast array of poems old and new joyously celebrates each special day of the year, telling of New Year's resolutions, Valentine's Day love, Easter parades, Fourth of July fireworks, and more. From the cold of winter to the new hope of spring, the brisk fall to the steamy summer, Caldecott Honor illustrator Marjorie Priceman's vibrant watercolor paintings ring in every month of the year, bringing each season to joyful life. Featuring verse from favorites like Walt Whitman, Jack Prelutsky, and Langston Hughes and poetic lyrics from the likes of Cole Porter and Oscar Hammerstein, plus heartfelt introductions by Julie Andrews describing favorite family holiday moments, this is the perfect collection for families to share together.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Picture Books, Summer, Christmas, Nonfiction, Anthologies

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2012

About the author

Dame Julie Elizabeth Andrews Edwards, DBE is an award-winning English actress, singer, author and cultural icon. She is the recipient of Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy, BAFTA, People's Choice Award, Theatre World Award, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award honours. Andrews rose to prominence after starring in Broadway musicals such as My Fair Lady and Camelot, as well as musical films like Mary Poppins (1964) and The Sound of Music (1965).

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really is a keepsake. Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, have collected, written, and organized a wonderful collection of poetry to serve every season. Not only the seasons of the year, but seasons of life. As I picked it up to peek at it, I found myself on my second poem. My heart was lightened, my soul awakened, and I found I was grinning.

Sometimes I forget to grin.

But the endorphines were flowing and I kept reading. And now I am sharing.

Bruce Lansky wrote a poem on New Year's Resolutions:

Last year I did some rotten things.
This year I will do better.
Here are some resolutions
I will follow to the letter:

I won't make dumb excuses
when my homework isn't done;
when the truth is that I did no work
'cause I was having fun...

... I will not do these rotten things;
my heart is full of sorrow.
But I have got some brand-new tricks
to try in school tomorrow.

A snippet of Jack Prelutsky:

I made my dog a valentine,
she sniffed it very hard,
then chewed on it a little while
and left it in the yard.

And some more serious like Myra Cohn Livingston on the Passover:

Out of a land
that held us slaves,

Under the wings
of the angel of death,

Over hot sands,
across the seas,

We sing again
with freedom's breath.

Don't you feel just a little lighter? Don't you have at least a pleasant smile gracing your face?

It's missed you. Read this one and welcome that smile back.

[Iowa City Public Library]

Julie Andrews’ Treasury For All Seasons: Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Year is a new compilation of children’s poems by many poets that have made a name for themselves. The poems are fairly short and would be good for elementary school children. It is a colorful book with watercolor illustrations by Marjorie Priceman, a two-time Caldecott Award Honoree. What I like about it is that teacher’s could use this volume easily because the poems are arranged by months of the year and include seasonal and holiday poems. This is also a perfect treasury for families to enjoy together. Featuring selections from poets and musicians including Myra Cohn Livingston, Bobbi Katz, Marchette Chute, Walt Whitman, Karla Kuskin, Langston Hughes, Walter de la Mare, Mary Ann Hoberman, e.e. cummings, Aileen Fisher, and Eleanor Farjeon, this collection offers a heartfelt glimpse into the moments Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, hold most dear. This keepsake book will encourage an early love of poetry and is bound to become a classic for families to revisit throughout the seasons.

--Katherine

From the ICPL Staff Picks Blog

[Geneva Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and would enjoy having it in my our home library. This book has poems for each of the seasons and would be great to use on units on the seasons of the year for young children to enjoy. The book features poems by a variety of poets, some might be well recognized , some new. I really loved how the illustrations pop with color and are like a painting in style. The cover of this book in itself is beautiful and would make a great keepsake for children or adults.


Our Tree

When spring comes round, our apple tree
Is very full of flowers,
And when a bird sits on a branch
The petals fall in showers.

When summer comes, our apple tree
Is very full of green,
And everywhere you look in it
There is a leafy screen.

When autumn comes, our apple tree
Is full of things to eat.
The apples hang from every branch
To tumble at our feet.

When winter comes, our apple tree
Is full of snow and ice
And rabbits come to visit it...
We think our tree is nice.

Marchette Chute

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly the description of this book is misleading. Yes, there are a lot of poems in this compilation and it is nice that they are arranged by seasons. However, "vast array" it is not. Many of the poems were taken from a handful of poets and there is very little diversity among the authors. I was happy to see so many poems by Jewish poets and musicians, but there were zero to few poems from and/or about Latino, Black, and Asian culture. Kudos for including My People by Langston Hughes. But a Kwanzaa poem by a white woman? Does ANYONE even celebrate Kwanzaa nowadays? Why not include a poem from Maya Angelou or Nikki Giovanni? Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Indian poetry is full of poetry dedicated to the seasons and holidays. Where are they in this collection?

[Rob Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always on the lookout for poetical quotations to share with friends & family through my fortnightly Quotemail venue, which has been on the Internet since November 1995. When I first picked up this book, I knew it would become a favorite go-to source for me to return to again and again. This delightful collections of poems (and charming illustrations) for all seasons and occasions is definitely a must-have for any household where poetry lovers and/or children dwell! The poems are well-chosen, and the introductions to each section of the book (written by Julie Andrews herself) are outstanding, too. Very highly recommended!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed reading selections of from this collection during storytime. I've found myself liking it so much that I get distracted from planning for my duties and just continuing to read. The selections are arranged by seasons of the year, with some additional poems about seasons of life (weddings, babies, birhdays, etc.).

That said, some of the poems are a little advanced for the intended purpose. I'm all for encouraging kids to learn by pushing their limits, but some of these words were things I had to look up. However, that makes it nice for children to grow into over the years.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I love my several volumes of children's poetry. This delightful addition was compiled by none other than the equally delightful Julie Andrews. I truly enjoy this sampling of poetry by season (and yes, the song lyrics Ms Andrews includes are also wonderful; most are songs she's sung, of course). I like to keep this by my bed so I can browse through and find something sweet and joyful. Great for my spirits--any time of year.

[LOVEROFBOOKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all my years of teaching, this is my favorite poetry book. I only wish I would have discovered it earlier!

Broken down into seasons, months and special occasions, this is a beautifully illustrated book and the poems they chose for this book could not be more perfect. The poems are funny, light and some of them are even songs.

Julie Andrews and Emma Watson Hamilton have outdone themselves!

[Olivia Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book for early childhood because I think it discusses the seasons and holidays in a. way that would really educate children and keep their attention. I think the topics discussed are ones that everyone can relate to and share their own personal stories that can be tied together and also used for a teacher for many lesson plans. I think this book of poetry could be used in many different aspects and times of year.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always looking for another great book of poems and what better way to organize these than to set them to the rhythm of the seasons and who better to guide us through these than Julie Andrews? Lots of old favorites along with poems certain to one day become old favorites. And beautiful illustrations.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie and her daughter collected poems and songs, to celebrate through the year. There were poems about seasons, holidays, birthdays, etc. The book is only on one CD. I have listened to this book four times so far. Julie and her daughter talked about their own celebrations between readings of the poems and songs. I really enjoyed this little book.

[Andreina Garban · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a song or a poem for every season, moment, celebration and occasion. Some are really beautiful, some others are fun, some of them are a great reminder of good things or childhood and each page is colorful and beautifully done. A book for having it and keeping it.

[Charming Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

ye bhi ho gai

[Brindi Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

These poems will be great to read during PSST. It seems there is one to fit with every theme. :)

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The moms will like this one better than the kids (in my humble opionion).

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

IT has poems organized by season and holiday, which is great. There are some good ones, but not all are my favorite.

[Kristi Urmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Poems and focus on different holidays.

[Katie (BooksRUs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this poetry book! I never knew that Julie Andrews had written poetry (some of the poems are written by her) and this is amazing!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve enjoyed reading poems appropriate for each month almost every morning at the start to our homeschooling day! Cute collection of poems.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Julie Andrews' book Treasury for All Seasons. This book contains many sentimental poems that will evoke children’s imagination. The prose, poetry, and songs made me smile and reminisce.

Some of the poems had to do with holidays. The majority did not, and I think it gives a beautifully eclectic collection to read and enjoy with the young children in your life. I will buy a hard copy to keep in our home library. This book is an excellent gift for new parents, preschoolers, and young poets.

[Khanh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful collection of poems and songs put together by Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton. There is something to celebrate every season and most holidays. I discovered that you can get this in audio version narrated by Julie Andrews herself, so I eagerly added it to my audible wish list to purchase. I read this collection myself and loved it, but I think the experience will be more enhanced listening to each song and poem read by Dame Julie with accompanying music.

[Moe Freesemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this audio book at my library's book sale for fifty cents. Listening to it is like chicken soup for your ears. Something about Julie Andrews is so calming, and I loved this collection of poetry read by her and her daughter.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet collection of poems, organized by month with some special occasion poetry thrown in as well.

It's not my favorite of the seasonally-themed poetry books we've read, but it was certainly an enjoyable addition to our Morning Time this year.

[Laur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very cute, funny and heartwarming poems. Enjoyed reading through this one.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most collections of poems or songs, this book contains a mix of hits and misses. I grew up watching The Sound of Music every year, so naturally, I enjoy almost everything she does.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just got this book and it is BEAUTIFUL—lovely cover, absolutely gorgeous and vibrant illustrations on each page, and a pleasing layout that just makes you want to flip through it and read it.

January is the perfect time to start this book because it starts with winter, but you could pick up up any time of year. I love how it walks through both the seasons as well as many holidays during those seasons, and that the holidays include things like Chinese New Year, Ramadan, and a number of Jewish holidays.

The way the book is set up, you can pick which ones you want to read, and it covers quite a few different facets of different holidays (like both religious and Santa poems for Christmas). I’m not a huge fan of the Thanksgiving one on the pilgrims because I don’t think it’s historically accurate, so I’ll probably skip that one, but I still think this is a really lovely book.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of songs and poetry are fun this is a longer book with many different styles of poetry inside. The colorful illustrations go well with the songs and poetry. The poems are by many different authors. A nice book to introduce many different poets to children.

Recommended age 8-13
Reading Level 4th – 6th grade

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great collection, beautiful illustrations.

[Lorena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this was SO BORING! We love poetry, but these poems were so bland that even Andrews' British accent couldn't redeem them. Neither the kids nor myself could finish the disk. I thought it would be like Caroline Kennedy's poetry collection, which is fabulous. I was very disappointed!