The Moon Spun Round: W. B. Yeats for Children

by W.B. Yeats, Noreen Doody (Editor), Shona Shirley Macdonald (Illustrator)

Moon-Spun-Round

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Fiction, Ireland

64 pages, Hardcover

Published December 3, 2016

About the author

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, in his later years Yeats served as an Irish Senator for two terms. He was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival, and along with Lady Gregory and Edward Martyn founded the Abbey Theatre, serving as its chief during its early years. In 1923 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for what the Nobel Committee described as "inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation." He was the first Irishman so honored. Yeats is generally considered one of the few writers who completed their greatest works after being awarded the Nobel Prize; such works include The Tower (1928) and The Winding Stair and Other Poems (1929).

Yeats was born and educated in Dublin but spent his childhood in County Sligo. He studied poetry in his youth, and from an early age was fascinated by both Irish legends and the occult. Those topics feature in the first phase of his work, which lasted roughly until the turn of the century. His earliest volume of verse was published in 1889, and those slow paced and lyrical poems display debts to Edmund Spenser and Percy Bysshe Shelley, as well as to the Pre-Raphaelite poets. From 1900, Yeats' poetry grew more physical and realistic. He largely renounced the transcendental beliefs of his youth, though he remained preoccupied with physical and spiritual masks, as well as with cyclical theories of life.
--from Wikipedia

Reviews

[cab]

But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams

[iosephvs bibliothecarivs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enchanting introduction to Yeats! The curious child will find a selection of his fantasy and nature poetry, a couple of his folklore stories, anecdotes from Willie's childhood, the text of a letter he wrote age 11 to his sister, and reminiscences of his daughter Anne about what it was like to grow up with a genius for a da, all wonderfully illustrated.

A better approach to the topic than 'Poetry for Young People: William Butler Yeats'. Both books are good, contain many of the same poems, and are worth your time, but 'The Moon Spun Round' is more likely to draw in a child (for a start, compare the covers) and will give them a more comprehensive view of WBY's life and work.

[Barbara Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exquisite book that made me fall in love again with Yeats. A book I'll be reading again and again to my favorite children.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book of poetry for children; Yeats' most well-known verses are matched with these ethereal, exquisite illustrations by Shona Shirley Macdonald to stunning effect. A book to treasure and a perfect gift.

[Sophie Bowns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful! The drawings were delightful too.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for children but it was for me

[Fern E Wiggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. This one is worth taking your time with.

[Katerina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly brilliant.
The illustrations in this book are absolutely GORGEOUS and captures the essence of Yeats's writing. This is a fantastic selection of works; I couldn't choose my favorite poem. I really love how this collection includes a couple of Yeats's short stories as well, though! "The Wisdom of the King" was very intriguing and totally makes me want to write my own version of that story!
I very badly want to read more Yeats now. This collection is a fantastic introduction to his brilliant work, no matter whether or not you're a child!

[Charlotte Rowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully presented collection of poems and short stories by Yeats for children which also includes some biographical information. The images that accompany the texts are evocative and add real depth to the given text. I particularly enjoyed reading the poem ‘The Cat and The Moon’ which compares the cats changing eyes to the changing phases of the moon. A great way to introduce children to a classic poet.

[JuliA · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is Shona Shirley Macdonald’s beautiful illustrations which bring W B Yeats poems and stories in this book to life.

Not all the stories and poems chosen here, are equally accessible and suitable for children. However, the illustrations add the necessary magic to make children’s and adults minds fly,

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review coming soon.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous presentation of Yeats' poems for children and a story or two. With wonderful poems and outstanding illustrations.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully whimsical illustrations and a lovely selection of Yeats. Both my 5 year old and I enjoyed this compilation.

[MrsCappuccina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book with wonderful illustrations. Kids loved it!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.

The Moon Spun Round is one of the best books I've ever read.

Read it, look up the artist Shona Shirley Macdonald, and get your hands on anything Yeats that you can. As of the publishing of this review you can get the complete collection of Yeats's poetry for less than €6 in the form of the Wordsworth classics edition from Easons.

Full review to come.

Sláinte,

E. J. Casey
.

[Suggestion_noted · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book with illustration you can lose yourself in for hours