Around the World in Eighty Poems by James Berry

by James Berry

This diverse poetry collection takes readers on an imaginary journey from Greenland to Great Britain by way of Nicaragua, Kenya, Hungary and many other lands. Some poems are lighthearted, some are serious, and together they evoke a world that's both exotic and familiar. An Australian tree-lizard sings for rain, a Chilean mother rocks her baby to sleep, a boy monk dozes in a Korean temple, and Jamaican children clamor for after-school treats. With poems from more than 50 different countries and exquisite illustrations, Around the World in Eighty Poems invites children to share in the richness of cultures around the globe.

Genres: Poetry, Geography

Hardcover

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

James Berry, OBE, Hon FRSL (1924-2017) was a black Jamaican poet and writer who settled in England in the 1940s. His poetry is notable for using a mixture of standard English and Jamaican Patois.

Reviews

[Annie Zagorec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I found it amazing how so many different parts of the world were described through poetry and illustrations. I thought it was interesting how there was some translations for some of the poems from the certain regions. I think that children would be able to learn more than just poetry from this book, but also able to learn about diversity. Overall, a great read I would recommend to everyone.

[Paris Krug · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book as there were many different parts around the world being described. This was shown through poetry and illustrations. I thought it was interesting how there were many translations of some of these poems. I believe that children would be able to learn more than just poetry from this book. They can also learn about diversity and overall it is a great read and I would recommend for a beginning poetry lesson.

[Cassandra Hoso · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poetry book did an excellent job showing children different countries around the world. I also loved the illustrations, which showed children a visual of what different cultures look like around the globe, while teaching them poetry at the same time. I think this book could be used for a culture lesson, along with introducing poetry to students as well. I think students would especially be engaged due to the colorful illustrations throughout the story.

[Sydney Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poems are one of my favorite genres to read. They can be so powerful and this book just proves my point. James Berry did an amazing job writing poems that conveyed where they were from. My students can learn new things about places they never heard of. This can be a way for students to enjoy reading and learning new things at the same time. Such an incredible book.

[(NS) Brea M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This large-format book presents 80 poems, including many in translation, from 51 countries and the Arctic Circle. Selected by Berry, who was born in Jamaica and now lives in Great Britain, the poems vary in sophistication as well as in their origins, subjects, and styles. American children may need some explanation of the Irish political references in John Montague's poem "What a View," but most of the selections are quite accessible. Their appeal is based on universals, such as the gentle humor in the "The Prayer of the Little Ducks," by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold of France, and the emotional resonance of a child longing for the mother's return in "Footpath," by Kenyan poet Stella Ngatho. Lucas' gentle, rather lyrical acrylic paintings maintain a single style but seem to adapt well to the different moods, locales, and peoples in the verse. Ages 8-11. ~Carolyn Phelan (Booklist Review)

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal reaction: This is a really interesting poetry book because it describes many different things around the word but in the form of poetry. I think this is a great way to present diversity to children, and also a great way to introduce poetry. This book would be a great book to read several poems a day, and then teach about whatever part of the country that the book just covered. If this book was used for older children then you could have them research a certain culture after sharing a specific poem with them.

Purpose: read aloud for curricular reasons, poetry, diversity, 6 years and older

[Terry Gonzalez]

Around the World in Eighty Poems contains poems that are about certain countries. It allows the child to imagine themselves traveling through the countries. The poems have colorful pictures that supplement them. This book should be read by elementary school students as it exposes them to poetry in this unique and exciting way.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poems for kids, some of them were really good, some not so much. But I'm a big fan of stories from around the world so I thought this might be interesting, found a few to share with Elijah when he is a little older.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

the illustrations are great