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In and Out the Window
The largest single anthology of Jane Yolen's poetry, containing more than one hundred poems for all occasions—with fun black-and-white art throughout.
Our Kitchen
Smells of mornings,
blueberry muffins,
hot chocolate, tea.
It smells of bacon
and of eggs.
It smells of family.
For the first time, legendary author Jane Yolen gathers the largest single anthology of her poetry celebrating childhood. At home or at school, playing sports or practicing music, enjoying the holidays or delighting in each season, Jane Yolen’s masterful collection shows just how lively it is to be a kid. With whimsical artwork by Cathrin Peterslund, this collection of more than one hundred poems is a classic that children are sure to return to again and again.
Our Kitchen
Smells of mornings,
blueberry muffins,
hot chocolate, tea.
It smells of bacon
and of eggs.
It smells of family.
For the first time, legendary author Jane Yolen gathers the largest single anthology of her poetry celebrating childhood. At home or at school, playing sports or practicing music, enjoying the holidays or delighting in each season, Jane Yolen’s masterful collection shows just how lively it is to be a kid. With whimsical artwork by Cathrin Peterslund, this collection of more than one hundred poems is a classic that children are sure to return to again and again.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published March 12, 2024
5 people are currently reading
3225 people want to read
About the author
Jane Yolen
971 books3,227 followersJane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 26, 2024
Copy provided by the publisher
Jane Yolen has been writing for quite some time, and has enthusiastically embraced many genres and formats, from my favorite Young Heroes series with Robert J. Harris to her graphic nonfiction title Bad Girls with Heidi Stemple to picture books. She has also been writing poetry for a while, with several books like 1990 Bird Watch: A Book of Poetry as well as single poems in anthologies and magazines.
In and Out Window combines some retrospective inclusions with newer poems, and range from very short rhymed couplets to longer, formal poems like "My Teacher". There is some free verse, but the vast majority of the poems embrace scansion and rhyme but play with it in innovative ways. Her formal verse is so good (like "Souble Up June's Black Belt Memories", and so few people write it, that I wished she had thrown in a sonnet or two!
The topics vary widely but do focus on the elementary school experience. Poems are thematically linked, with chapters headed "At Home", "Animals", "School", "After School", and my favorite, "Career Poems", with each chapter divided into "In" and "Out". This gives a nice feeling of organization to the book, although there is not a table of contents.
I liked that this was the size of a fiction book; many poetry collections have more of a picture book format, that some middle school readers don't like. This reminded me strongly of collections I had as a child, although I would argue with the publisher's description that this was like collections by Shel Silverstein. Yolen's verse is much better.
I've actually debated whether I will keep this for my own or put it in my library collection. We don't do much with poetry in language arts classes now, but since I thought it was a good idea to pursue writing poetry as a career when I was in college (not that majoring in Latin was a better idea when it came to gainful employment), I am reluctant to hand books of poetry to any future progeny who might contribute to my care when I am elderly. It's an excellent choice for public libraries, and for schools where poetry is studied widely.
Jane Yolen has been writing for quite some time, and has enthusiastically embraced many genres and formats, from my favorite Young Heroes series with Robert J. Harris to her graphic nonfiction title Bad Girls with Heidi Stemple to picture books. She has also been writing poetry for a while, with several books like 1990 Bird Watch: A Book of Poetry as well as single poems in anthologies and magazines.
In and Out Window combines some retrospective inclusions with newer poems, and range from very short rhymed couplets to longer, formal poems like "My Teacher". There is some free verse, but the vast majority of the poems embrace scansion and rhyme but play with it in innovative ways. Her formal verse is so good (like "Souble Up June's Black Belt Memories", and so few people write it, that I wished she had thrown in a sonnet or two!
The topics vary widely but do focus on the elementary school experience. Poems are thematically linked, with chapters headed "At Home", "Animals", "School", "After School", and my favorite, "Career Poems", with each chapter divided into "In" and "Out". This gives a nice feeling of organization to the book, although there is not a table of contents.
I liked that this was the size of a fiction book; many poetry collections have more of a picture book format, that some middle school readers don't like. This reminded me strongly of collections I had as a child, although I would argue with the publisher's description that this was like collections by Shel Silverstein. Yolen's verse is much better.
I've actually debated whether I will keep this for my own or put it in my library collection. We don't do much with poetry in language arts classes now, but since I thought it was a good idea to pursue writing poetry as a career when I was in college (not that majoring in Latin was a better idea when it came to gainful employment), I am reluctant to hand books of poetry to any future progeny who might contribute to my care when I am elderly. It's an excellent choice for public libraries, and for schools where poetry is studied widely.
February 25, 2024
Every moment of one’s life can be chronicled in poetry if the right person is holding the pen. In this book, Jane Yolen has condensed some of the most meaningful times and places into a collection of poems that capture the essence of familiar experiences. Beginning with home and animals and progressing to school, sports, and more, readers will recognize many of the subjects of the poems included in this novel. For each segment, the poems are focused on “in” and “out,” and these give the book a structure that it might not otherwise have. Much like Shel Silverstein, these poems vary in length, structure, and rhyming scheme, offering some humor and lightness alongside more heartfelt and meaningful inclusions. There is a large amount of white space in the book, and occasional illustrations pepper the pages, both of which offer readers a visual respite as they progress through the novel. Though the book can move quickly because of its design, the poems often invite reflection and encourage pauses to give the words ample time to resonate. Additionally, several poems invite readers to create their own poetry and offer suggestions as to when, where, and how to do that. There is no one right answer for building poems, and this book is a charming introduction to poetry for middle grade readers who have some life experiences behind them. From school to home to the dream of a career, these short snippets flavor one’s days and offer new perspectives to feelings readers might encounter, themselves. This is an accessible inclusion to poetry collections for young readers.
April 20, 2024
Not my favorite Yolen book. I have to say it definitely got better chapters into it but tbh many poems were 2 stars with the thought, "well I guess it does show kids that any one can write about any thing.. poetry or probably otherwise".
March 17, 2024
This is a lovely way to introduce children to poetry and to encourage them, whilst reading this, to write their own. It would be perfect to read a couple of the small poems each night [leaving time to talk about them and perhaps even writing one together], discovering the joy in small verse and in the lovely illustrations that are sprinkled without. Absolutely lovely.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jane Yolen, Cathrin Peterslund - Illustrator, and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/Philomel Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jane Yolen, Cathrin Peterslund - Illustrator, and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/Philomel Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2024
Maybe it’s just that my small child doesn’t enjoy poetry, but I have a hard time seeing reading these to children, readers picking this up, or adults really enjoying. Fun kid-oriented pieces, but in very small doses vs a collection.
January 24, 2025
This one was just meh for me. Reminded me of poems I wrote in elementary school so feels like I could publish mine also if I found them all and threw them into a book.
September 29, 2025
Sometimes I forget how simple children’s poetry can be. And sometimes, simplicity is needed in a world of such complexity.
Read
April 10, 2024There are a few gems in here for the kiddos, but overall, the poems in this collection are facile and bland.
April 2, 2024
In and Out the Window (illustrated by Catherin Peterslund; Philomel 2024) is a creative collection of children’s poetry by Jane Yolen. Poems are divided into thematic sections with further division into the categories of “In” and “Out” of a window. The volume shares poems about many aspects of children’s lives. Different sections featured include “At home,” “Animals,” “School,” and even “Career
Poems.” In between these sections there are also what I’m calling “poetry poems”: “Why to Write a Poem,” “How to Write a Poem,” and other poems address when, where, and who.
As a teacher, I personally really liked these poetry poems best. They nicely tie into the subject matter that followed and I feel could be influential to starting a discussion about writing our own poems. For example, here’s a writing tip from “When to Write a Poem.”
It can rhyme, all the time,
that is never a crime,
and it’s always a plus for ‘refrain.'”
This is just one example — each of the “poetry poems” as I call them have a similar little tidbit that can be applied to a child writing their own poems.
The subjects in the rest of the poems are great inspiration. There are so many fantastic ones that I hesitate to name my favorite after one reading of the book. For example, I’ll share “In My Locker” as a good inspiration poem for a child. As can be expected, the narrator of the poem lists the items in his or her locker, and each item seems to have a story behind it. As a child reads this, they can think of their own place (locker, backpack, purse) and start listing out what they have. Just as Yolen’s creative poem does, any child’s creative listing can build into a poem. (I even tried my hand a few poems after reading this book, although no, I’m not sharing them here!)
The poems in In and Out the Window are just right for the child audience whether you’re just reading them or planning on writing you’re own poems. The book models to the young reader how to look at the examples that are inside and it also encourages the reader to look outside the window for more inspiration. I highly recommend Jane Yolen’s newest volume of poetry.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Poems.” In between these sections there are also what I’m calling “poetry poems”: “Why to Write a Poem,” “How to Write a Poem,” and other poems address when, where, and who.
As a teacher, I personally really liked these poetry poems best. They nicely tie into the subject matter that followed and I feel could be influential to starting a discussion about writing our own poems. For example, here’s a writing tip from “When to Write a Poem.”
It can rhyme, all the time,
that is never a crime,
and it’s always a plus for ‘refrain.'”
This is just one example — each of the “poetry poems” as I call them have a similar little tidbit that can be applied to a child writing their own poems.
The subjects in the rest of the poems are great inspiration. There are so many fantastic ones that I hesitate to name my favorite after one reading of the book. For example, I’ll share “In My Locker” as a good inspiration poem for a child. As can be expected, the narrator of the poem lists the items in his or her locker, and each item seems to have a story behind it. As a child reads this, they can think of their own place (locker, backpack, purse) and start listing out what they have. Just as Yolen’s creative poem does, any child’s creative listing can build into a poem. (I even tried my hand a few poems after reading this book, although no, I’m not sharing them here!)
The poems in In and Out the Window are just right for the child audience whether you’re just reading them or planning on writing you’re own poems. The book models to the young reader how to look at the examples that are inside and it also encourages the reader to look outside the window for more inspiration. I highly recommend Jane Yolen’s newest volume of poetry.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 20, 2024
In and Out the Window
by Jane Yolen
Illustrations by Cathrin Peterslund
Philomel
an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
2024
208 pages
ISBN: 9780593622513
From beloved author Jane Yolen comes In and Out the Window, a treasure of middle grade poetry sure to make readers want to share her poems and write ones of their own.
In "Hook in the Water," Yolen writes, "Each poem a hook/flouting in the tide./ An invitation/to open wide..." Poems featured in the book are about school, after school, hobbies, friendship, the seasons, sports, pets and all the things important to kids ages eight to thirteen. In "Crayons: A Rainbow Poem," the poet says, "This box contains the wash of blue sky/spikes of green spring,/ a circle of yellow sun,/triangle flames of orange and red," capturing all the crayon colors in the box.
"Winter Prayer" features this beautiful personification of, "Nature, in her grace, falls white/upon the rock's shoulder..." The book opens with "Why to Write a Poem" which is my personal favorite as a poet/reader/lover of poetry. Yolen says, "To sing up the sunshine/To bargain the moon,/ To follow the rainbow..." answering her own title's question.
Complete with an index that makes it easy for children to find their favorite poems easily, this book of poetry will be read again and again. A must-have for every poetry collection, libraries should multiple copies as it will be widely checked out.
The book would be a great introduction to any poetry unit regardless of grade levels. The poems are easy enough for ages eight to thirteen, yet also an asset for high school age students to learn the basics of poetry.
Highly, highly recommended for all poets.
by Jane Yolen
Illustrations by Cathrin Peterslund
Philomel
an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
2024
208 pages
ISBN: 9780593622513
From beloved author Jane Yolen comes In and Out the Window, a treasure of middle grade poetry sure to make readers want to share her poems and write ones of their own.
In "Hook in the Water," Yolen writes, "Each poem a hook/flouting in the tide./ An invitation/to open wide..." Poems featured in the book are about school, after school, hobbies, friendship, the seasons, sports, pets and all the things important to kids ages eight to thirteen. In "Crayons: A Rainbow Poem," the poet says, "This box contains the wash of blue sky/spikes of green spring,/ a circle of yellow sun,/triangle flames of orange and red," capturing all the crayon colors in the box.
"Winter Prayer" features this beautiful personification of, "Nature, in her grace, falls white/upon the rock's shoulder..." The book opens with "Why to Write a Poem" which is my personal favorite as a poet/reader/lover of poetry. Yolen says, "To sing up the sunshine/To bargain the moon,/ To follow the rainbow..." answering her own title's question.
Complete with an index that makes it easy for children to find their favorite poems easily, this book of poetry will be read again and again. A must-have for every poetry collection, libraries should multiple copies as it will be widely checked out.
The book would be a great introduction to any poetry unit regardless of grade levels. The poems are easy enough for ages eight to thirteen, yet also an asset for high school age students to learn the basics of poetry.
Highly, highly recommended for all poets.
August 5, 2024
First sentence: Why to Write a Poem
To sing up the sunshine,
To bargain the moon,
To follow the rainbow,
Apostrophize June,
To swing into summer,
To tumble through fall,
To stumble through grammar,
And capitalize all.
In and Out The Window is a collection of Jane Yolen's poems for children. There are over a hundred collected in this new book.
The good news: There are SO many poems, you're sure to find a few (at least) to enjoy.
The bad news: There are a LOT of poems you won't necessarily enjoy to wade through to find *your* favorites.
Is it possible for me to read a poem and absolutely crazy love-love-love it? YES. Is it possible for me to really love a collection of poems? Yes. Rare but not impossible. Is it more likely that I will like some and dislike some? YES. Poetry is SO subjective. And every single reader will likely have a different poem that is his/her favorite and best. Not every reader will enjoy/appreciate every poem. The thing with poetry is not to push it--necessarily. In other words, the right poem will find the right readers. Poetry can be surprising like that. You can *think* oh, I don't like poetry, and then find so many poems that are the exception to the rule. It is okay to not love every poem you ever read.
Hook in the Water
Each poem a hook
floating in the tide.
An invitation
to open wide.
Come, little fishes,
take the hook.
Open right up
and read my book. (page 97)
Cat Thoughts
Whoever thought that
you can outthink a cat
has never owned one. (page 54)
The Poem In Your Heart
The poem in your heart
Is beating.
The poem in your head
Is musing.
The poem in your hand
Is writing itself.
The poem in your mouth
Is sharing its beauty,
Speaking its truth
Loud enough for everyone
To hear. (page 125)
To sing up the sunshine,
To bargain the moon,
To follow the rainbow,
Apostrophize June,
To swing into summer,
To tumble through fall,
To stumble through grammar,
And capitalize all.
In and Out The Window is a collection of Jane Yolen's poems for children. There are over a hundred collected in this new book.
The good news: There are SO many poems, you're sure to find a few (at least) to enjoy.
The bad news: There are a LOT of poems you won't necessarily enjoy to wade through to find *your* favorites.
Is it possible for me to read a poem and absolutely crazy love-love-love it? YES. Is it possible for me to really love a collection of poems? Yes. Rare but not impossible. Is it more likely that I will like some and dislike some? YES. Poetry is SO subjective. And every single reader will likely have a different poem that is his/her favorite and best. Not every reader will enjoy/appreciate every poem. The thing with poetry is not to push it--necessarily. In other words, the right poem will find the right readers. Poetry can be surprising like that. You can *think* oh, I don't like poetry, and then find so many poems that are the exception to the rule. It is okay to not love every poem you ever read.
Hook in the Water
Each poem a hook
floating in the tide.
An invitation
to open wide.
Come, little fishes,
take the hook.
Open right up
and read my book. (page 97)
Cat Thoughts
Whoever thought that
you can outthink a cat
has never owned one. (page 54)
The Poem In Your Heart
The poem in your heart
Is beating.
The poem in your head
Is musing.
The poem in your hand
Is writing itself.
The poem in your mouth
Is sharing its beauty,
Speaking its truth
Loud enough for everyone
To hear. (page 125)
September 16, 2024
Jane Yolen is one of the most prolific picture book authors, not to mention being a pretty prolific author of longer form books! But it’s been a good bit of time since she last released a poetry collection, though I definitely come across one her poems quite often in science fiction and fantasy magazines and anthologies. With this book, though, she returns to this particular stage in a grand fashion.
The book is divided into several sections, each with an “In” and an “Out” subsection. I’m afraid I didn’t catch the difference between In and Out, but I’m not exactly a frequent reader of poetry. The sections are things kids would think of often: school, animals, (at) home, after school, and sports, with a final category a bit outside a kid’s experience: career poems. The career poems aren’t deep adult thoughts, but more often from the point of view of Yolen as a child, wanting to write. Very accessible.
My favorite section was Animals. Her poems for pets are just especially funny and cute. I’ll have to memorize a few for my kid, because I’m sure she’ll love the ones for cats and bunnies, her favorites. I wasn’t able to read this book to my kid. I think that every time I brought it out, the size was intimidating. Is sure looks thick for a kids’ book, but each page only have a dozen or so lines, so it goes fast. I think by 2nd grade, most readers will be well up to the challenge. And they’d probably feel super proud, in the end, for reading something so big!
I actually did the audiobook version of this, and the reading by Cassandra Campbell is wistful and playful. She’s also really got the overwhelmed kid voice down.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
The book is divided into several sections, each with an “In” and an “Out” subsection. I’m afraid I didn’t catch the difference between In and Out, but I’m not exactly a frequent reader of poetry. The sections are things kids would think of often: school, animals, (at) home, after school, and sports, with a final category a bit outside a kid’s experience: career poems. The career poems aren’t deep adult thoughts, but more often from the point of view of Yolen as a child, wanting to write. Very accessible.
My favorite section was Animals. Her poems for pets are just especially funny and cute. I’ll have to memorize a few for my kid, because I’m sure she’ll love the ones for cats and bunnies, her favorites. I wasn’t able to read this book to my kid. I think that every time I brought it out, the size was intimidating. Is sure looks thick for a kids’ book, but each page only have a dozen or so lines, so it goes fast. I think by 2nd grade, most readers will be well up to the challenge. And they’d probably feel super proud, in the end, for reading something so big!
I actually did the audiobook version of this, and the reading by Cassandra Campbell is wistful and playful. She’s also really got the overwhelmed kid voice down.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
February 7, 2024
A sweet and simple collection of poems written for children with language that appeals to children, by a long-time favorite of children.
“In and Out the Window” by Jane Yolen - (3.5 Stars) (Pub Date: 3/12/2024)
Good Things: In “former-lit-student lingo’, the language is accessible to the intended age group. In ‘real-me’, the language is simple, direct, and just complex enough to be engaging, but not so complex that vocabulary becomes an issue. An early/middle elementary reader could tackle this alone, and the accessibility of the word choice would make for a great read aloud.
Opportunities: While the language is accessible, it’s also very basic. The rhyming and cadenced poems are a specific style and that style and form does not change through the small collection. It reads very much like a side project for an otherwise amazing children’s author. I also felt that the illustrations were not a value-add.
Final Thoughts: For fans of Jane Yolen, this collection is a must and for educators and parents, it serves as a good solid example of the kind of poetry that children might write themselves for themselves.
I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read of this story by netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Philomel Books The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #inandoutthewindow #janeyolen #poems #childrensbook #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #arcs
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Publishing Review 2/5/2024
“In and Out the Window” by Jane Yolen - (3.5 Stars) (Pub Date: 3/12/2024)
Good Things: In “former-lit-student lingo’, the language is accessible to the intended age group. In ‘real-me’, the language is simple, direct, and just complex enough to be engaging, but not so complex that vocabulary becomes an issue. An early/middle elementary reader could tackle this alone, and the accessibility of the word choice would make for a great read aloud.
Opportunities: While the language is accessible, it’s also very basic. The rhyming and cadenced poems are a specific style and that style and form does not change through the small collection. It reads very much like a side project for an otherwise amazing children’s author. I also felt that the illustrations were not a value-add.
Final Thoughts: For fans of Jane Yolen, this collection is a must and for educators and parents, it serves as a good solid example of the kind of poetry that children might write themselves for themselves.
I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read of this story by netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Philomel Books The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #inandoutthewindow #janeyolen #poems #childrensbook #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #arcs
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Review Shared on Goodreads - www.goodreads.com/leah_cyphert_butidi...
Publishing Review 2/5/2024
March 10, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
In and Out the Window is a sweetly written and well curated collection of poetry by Jane Yolen. Due out 12th March 2024 from Penguin Random House on their Philomel children's imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
Although this collection is aimed at young readers, there are beautiful and lyrical moments for all ages to be found here. Poetry is often a joy to read and these poems, from a beloved and prolific author, are curated carefully and very well.
The poems are accompanied by simple and appealing line drawings by Cathrin Peterslund. They enhance and support the text very well. The whole is appealing, engaging, and comforting.
Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, and a beautiful edition for gift giving purposes.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
In and Out the Window is a sweetly written and well curated collection of poetry by Jane Yolen. Due out 12th March 2024 from Penguin Random House on their Philomel children's imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
Although this collection is aimed at young readers, there are beautiful and lyrical moments for all ages to be found here. Poetry is often a joy to read and these poems, from a beloved and prolific author, are curated carefully and very well.
The poems are accompanied by simple and appealing line drawings by Cathrin Peterslund. They enhance and support the text very well. The whole is appealing, engaging, and comforting.
Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, and a beautiful edition for gift giving purposes.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
June 22, 2024
This is an anthology book, but that doesn't mean you have to read it cover to cover. In fact, I don't recommend that. It is organized very well with topics that almost every reader young and old will relate to. I would highly recommend that schools or classrooms order this in multiple copies. My mind started spinning on how this title could be used in the classroom for many grade levels. Scavenger hunts, using it as a springboard for writing your own poetry, the transitional poems to inspire writing poetry and the list could go on. I still remember in college reading Owl Moon as an elementary education practicum student in a third grade classroom at Willard Elementary School with a teacher that was almost reaching retirement. That book stuck with me forever. It takes a special type of author to create that scenario. This one is full of really special poems, hilarious poems and so, so poems. Overall, it is quite distinguished for its intended audience and purpose. The only suggestion would be to add the type of poem behind the titles in the index.
August 28, 2024
Thank you to YABC for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I have mixed feelings about this one.
This is a fun collection of poems, gathered in thematic groups of different places in a child's life, home, play, school, etc. and then sub-grouped inside and outside (Home: Inside, Home: Outside, Play: Inside, Play: Outside...). The illustrations are cute, but old-timey and do not necessarily add to the experience.
Where I really struggle is with the target age, listed as middle-grade. The collection requires the comprehension and attention span of the target age, but the subject matter, illustrations, and writing style are more suited to a younger audience. This would have been a great book for earlier generations of middle grade readers, but today's kids have a maturity level higher than in previous generations.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but through the lens of a parent and librarian I believe it could be reworked a bit to either appeal to its target audience or a younger crowd, but as of now it sits on the cusp of each.
I have mixed feelings about this one.
This is a fun collection of poems, gathered in thematic groups of different places in a child's life, home, play, school, etc. and then sub-grouped inside and outside (Home: Inside, Home: Outside, Play: Inside, Play: Outside...). The illustrations are cute, but old-timey and do not necessarily add to the experience.
Where I really struggle is with the target age, listed as middle-grade. The collection requires the comprehension and attention span of the target age, but the subject matter, illustrations, and writing style are more suited to a younger audience. This would have been a great book for earlier generations of middle grade readers, but today's kids have a maturity level higher than in previous generations.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but through the lens of a parent and librarian I believe it could be reworked a bit to either appeal to its target audience or a younger crowd, but as of now it sits on the cusp of each.
Read
May 1, 2024I don’t normally log all the books I read with my kindergartner, but since I read all 200 pages of this poetry anthology with her, I figure it deserves it.
What a great introduction to poetry for kids. There are serious poems and goofy poems, structured poems and a few free verse poems, long poems and couplets. Poems range in topic from school, pets, professions, nature, and the seasons. There’s some clever wordplay.
The kid seemed to look forward to it every night and enjoyed reading it to her. Mission accomplished.
What a great introduction to poetry for kids. There are serious poems and goofy poems, structured poems and a few free verse poems, long poems and couplets. Poems range in topic from school, pets, professions, nature, and the seasons. There’s some clever wordplay.
The kid seemed to look forward to it every night and enjoyed reading it to her. Mission accomplished.
May 18, 2024
This book by beloved poet and storyteller Jane Yolen contains new and previously published poems for children that will appeal to real children because Yolen never condescends. She chooses topics of interest to kids--family, school, pets, hobbies--and writes from a child's understanding and emotions about those topics. The poems are of different forms with many illustrated with line drawings by Cathrin Peterslund. This book makes a good gift for children to read now and keep on their bookshelf forever.
May 27, 2024
My toxic trait is every so often I convince myself that I like to sit down and read poetry. It is simply not true. I like poetry, but I am not a sit down and read a book of poems kind of person -- it is endlessly disappointing for me.
That is to say, this book of poems is very good and would be certainly enjoyed in a classroom where you can pick some out and share them. It's not a great book to sit down and try to read -- but neither are any poems. Capturing childhood very well, Jane Yolen collects a career of poetry for children into one playful volume.
That is to say, this book of poems is very good and would be certainly enjoyed in a classroom where you can pick some out and share them. It's not a great book to sit down and try to read -- but neither are any poems. Capturing childhood very well, Jane Yolen collects a career of poetry for children into one playful volume.
July 25, 2024
I read 72% of this ebook. I read the book but skipped a chunk of the school poems. I’m sure they were fine but they got quite tedious and boring reading repetitively again and again about the same thing. There were a few poems that stood out to me that I liked quite a bit. I enjoyed the aspect of the seasonal poems at the end but wish they themed more on the weather to accentuate them better. Overall, this book was fine but I think it could’ve been much better had it been condensed and refined.
Not to self: My ebook version had 198 pages.
Not to self: My ebook version had 198 pages.
September 7, 2024
All of these mostly rhyming poems are divided into seven sections. At the beginning of each section is a poem about writing poems. And each section has an "In" section and an "Out" section. The sections are: At Home, Animals, School, After School, Sports, Career Poems, and Calendar Poems. The book ends with a Thank You poem from the author and an index. Cathrin Peterslund provided black and white drawings here and there throughout the book. Most of the poems are quite short and just beg to be read aloud. A quite excellent anthology.
March 13, 2024
This poetry book is perfect for young/middle grade readers! The poems are easy to read and relatable to things children are experiencing like family, books, animals, and school (which were some of my favorite to read). There are illustrations scattered throughout the book that add appeal for young readers. It reminded me of reading Shel Silverstein poems as a child.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group YR Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group YR Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
March 2, 2025
As a whole, the book was okay. Some of the poems were just hit or miss. I liked the Sport poems and the Career poems the best. Structurally, my biggest complaint was that when there was a longer poem, it should've been contained on pages side by side. I didn't like reading a longer poem, only to have to turn the page and realize I hadn't finished it. When a poem breaks is one thing, but by flipping the page only to discover the poem isn't finished is a very inorganic way to split a poem.
June 1, 2025
Poetry Book Review
In and Out the Window By Jane Yolen
My friend Kris @wildpeachesbooks recommended this adorable book of poems to me. I had just a few minutes to read today and I spent them reading this book. There were many enjoyable poems but since most of you are book people I’ll share this one with you:
If you love to read poetry or even teach poetry then you will definitely want to read this wonderful book.
In and Out the Window By Jane Yolen
My friend Kris @wildpeachesbooks recommended this adorable book of poems to me. I had just a few minutes to read today and I spent them reading this book. There were many enjoyable poems but since most of you are book people I’ll share this one with you:
If you love to read poetry or even teach poetry then you will definitely want to read this wonderful book.
March 9, 2024
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Reviewing poetry is always so hard for me. They are little pieces of art that flow through my mind.
I liked most poems, but not all. I think this is pretty normal whe are not all poems inspire you.
Reviewing poetry is always so hard for me. They are little pieces of art that flow through my mind.
I liked most poems, but not all. I think this is pretty normal whe are not all poems inspire you.
March 13, 2024
I have loved Jane Yolen's writing for years, and I adored many of the poems in this collection. I think what makes poetry great is that it can appeal to different people at different times. In and Out the Window has lots of short, approachable poems for kids of all ages.
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
(I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
April 15, 2024
A sweet collection of poetry that would work for an upper elementary and middle school but even high schoolers and adults.
It's universal experiences like the seasons or school, animals, and nature. Some had been previously published (noted at the bottom) while others are new. It was a lovely read for National Poetry Month.
It's universal experiences like the seasons or school, animals, and nature. Some had been previously published (noted at the bottom) while others are new. It was a lovely read for National Poetry Month.
April 30, 2024
There's a nice varied collection of poetry here, aimed at readers a bit older than the picture book set.
Yolen has written poems about the home, poems about school and sports, all covering activities both indoors and outdoors. The last section of the book features poems for each month.
Thanks to NetGalley and Philomel Books for the read.
Yolen has written poems about the home, poems about school and sports, all covering activities both indoors and outdoors. The last section of the book features poems for each month.
Thanks to NetGalley and Philomel Books for the read.
May 24, 2024
I prefer the author's fictional stories more than the poetry. However, I did find a lot of the poems to be cozy. I did find that some of the poems didn't really seem to fit into the sections they were labeled.
August 9, 2024
A variety of poems about topics related to childhood - many are reflections about growing up; seasons, life at home, animals, and school - which I liked the most. These would be great to share with a class as a part of a poetry unit (from a well-known author, not always associated with poetry) and of course, the appeal is not just for children; several appeal to an older audience as well.
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