A Song About Myself

by John Keats, Chris Raschka (Illustrator)

Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka brings John Keats s words to whimsical life in the poet s only work written for children.
He was a naughty boy,
A naughty boy was he,
He would not stop at home,
He could not quiet be.
English poet John Keats is remembered for his great odes and sonnets making this lighthearted, little-known poem a special treat. As written in a letter to his young sister when he was feeling homesick on a visit to Scotland, Keats runs his rhymes up and down and all around, leading the reader on a playful chase in and out of language and meaning while caricaturing both himself and what it means to be an aspiring poet. In perfect synchrony, the celebrated Chris Raschka illustrates Keats s droll words with his signature vibrant, energetic watercolors."

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 14, 2017

About the author

Rich melodic works in classical imagery of British poet John Keats include " The Eve of Saint Agnes ," " Ode on a Grecian Urn ," and " To Autumn ," all in 1819.

Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley include "Adonais," an elegy of 1821 to John Keats.

Work of the principal of the Romantic movement of England received constant critical attacks from the periodicals of the day during his short life. He nevertheless posthumously immensely influenced poets, such as Alfred Tennyson. Elaborate word choice and sensual imagery characterize poetry, including a series of odes, masterpieces of Keats among the most popular poems in English literature. Most celebrated letters of Keats expound on his aesthetic theory of "negative capability."

Wikipedia page of the author

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Song about Myself by Chris Raschka is basically a poem written by English poet John Keats.

The author weaves John Keat's nursery rhyme style poem with colorful pictures that bring it to life.

I loved the author's note at the end which explains a little bit about John Keats and that this poem was actually included in a letter he wrote to his sister. It's very sweet.

4****

[GraceAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as ARC. Delightful doggerel by the poet Keats, my undergraduate focus when it wasn't art history. Delightful illustrator too, who quite captured the sly silliness.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love poetry, and I love this book.  Raschka's accompanying illustrations to Keats' poem are whimsical and light-hearted, and perfectly emote exactly what it feels like to be defining yourself through what you've done and through your work.  Watching the illustrated boy gallivant across the pages made me want to do the exact same thing.

The thick painted lines paired with the detailed land- and cityscapes left me with a feeling of both stability and minor uproar--that sort of feeling where you know you're fine but you get on the subway and everything is a little bit hectic with a taste of city-living.  Overall, this was a super cute book and my English major heart enjoyed every bit of it!

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm torn about this one. I admire Keats, even if I don't know his poetry well. Reading the back story of this poem made me smile a bit more at it. But the language from early 1800s--and POETIC language at that--can be hard to grasp some times. Especially if one is going to be a little silly in the romanticism. I wonder how are children to grasp this? The illustrations by Raschka definitely help. And add to the silliness. But...I was confused at times--and I am an English major! I would be intrigued to see what children have to say about it. Would they get the whimsy of it, or miss that?

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting rendition of the poem by John Keats. Chris Raschka does a wonderful job illustrating it and bringing it to life for students. As the illustrator's note says in the back, this was not a typical Keats poem but it is one that students today can relate to. It is especially interesting to think about this poem in contrast to the other works that he has that we study in school and to make both the author and the idea of poetry more accessible for students of all ages.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art wasn't my cup of tea, and we all know my stance on poetry. This particular poem took me a while to get into the groove, but by the fourth part I quite liked it.

The historical information at the back was interesting. I didn't know John Keats died so young, or of tuberculosis.

I finished the book and went to adopt a tuberculosis-detecting rat through the APOPO charity.

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure this is a book a young kiddo would pick up (although maybe, the illustrations are lovely), but it would make a great text for introducing Keats to students. Some of the language is tough and I think it would need to be taught in order for young readers to understand and appreciate it.

[MaryAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This listing is incorrect. The book is illustrated, beautifully and colorfully, by Chris Raschka. The text, a playful whimsical word trek, is by the poet, John Keats. The book is of the combined efforts of two wonderfully playful and expressive people.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chris Raschka beautifully brings to life a John Keats poem.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raschka's whimsical, free-flowing illustrations are a charming complement to Keats's lighthearted, playful verse.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know the story of this poem; knowing the story I liked it all the more.

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love Keats and the poem, didn't care for the art.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful combination of a classic poem with fun illustrations

[Sherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the beautiful watercolor illustrations and whimsical poetry.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Raschka's illustrations are charming, but the text ... can a child of today really relate to a FEAR OF GOUT?

[Laurel Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations for a poem by a young John Keats.

[Rebecca Jones]

John Keats has created this book in order to tell a story about his life through a sense of poetry. He talks about the different things he experienced as a boy and how it led to him writing poetry.

[Julie Jordan Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare for National Poetry Month by reading this delightful illustrated poem written by legendary poet John Keats and illustrated by award winning Chris Raschka.

At first I didn’t like this much because there was so much of an emphasis on naughty. And then, we crossed into a stanza/segment about poetry - and somehow poetry makes him a naughty boy.

All of this made me so curious about Keats (I knew his name but not much about him) and once I did some research and re-read the poem and fully embraced the illustrations, I was hooked!

By the way, I am currently reading “The Dictionary of Lost Words” by Pip Williams. It would be a great adult co-read alongside this illustrated poem.

[Kelsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

My kid and I were not into this book at all. The poems were pretty random, used difficult language for kids, and just didn’t feel like they were written well. We didn’t find the content at all interesting.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had no idea this poem existed. The author’s note really makes the book!

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keats was influenced by Wordsworth and Coleridge when they were tramping in the woods.

“He was known as a romantic who wove nature, life and love into a perfection of words.”

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Keats’s poems with classic style illustrations by Chris Raschka.

[Gabriel Weaver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enthusiasts of Keats or Raschka would enjoy this book. A nice tribute.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The painted illustrations complete with endosperm were as dreamy as can be. The song/poem does indeed feel 150 years old. Loved the little history tidbit in the back.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK but neither my favorite Keats poem or Raschka illustrations. However, reading the illustrator's note moved it to 3 1/2*.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, yes, Chris Raschka. But I'm not sure of the kid audience. Seems more like lit majors who are fans of Keats.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this combo and LOVE this trend...I'd like to see more pairings of poets and contemporary illustrators.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's whimsy in the poetry, and whimsy in the artistry. Beautiful adaptation of Keats's poem.

[Kelly]

I'm sadly not a big Raschka fan, but after passing this book up the first time, I do actually like the poem/song that Keats wrote.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many books by Chris Raschka that I love. I recently found a copy of his “Endearments Around The World” that is a gathering of sweet words people use for their children, like “cupcake” and “honey bun”; and a continuing favorite is the “Hello, Goodbye Window.” Now a new book that is a tribute to a poem and story about John Keats who wrote so many wonderful poems, including this sweet adventure in a letter to his sister. Raschka’s illustrations wander just as the words do, illuminating this boy’s adventure with Keats’ words.