Easter Poems

by Myra Cohn Livingston (Editor), John Wallner (Illustrator)

Especially commissioned original poems by Felice Holman, William Jay Smith, X. J. Kennedy, Joan Aiken, John Ciardi, and other contemporary poets, as well as traditional favorites, comprise this stunning anthology. From “lop-eared and silky” rabbits to the “three crosses on cold Golgotha Hill,” Mrs. Livingston’s choices reflect the many moods of Easter. John Wallner’s fitting illustrations capture both the joy and solemnity of the holiday.

Genres: Poetry

32 pages, Library Binding

First published March 1, 1985

About the author

Myra Cohn Livingston was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Her family moved to California when she was 12 years old. She studied the French horn from age 12 to age 20, becoming so good that the Los Angeles Philharmonic invited her to join them when she was 16 years old. She had other plans. She knew she wanted to write.

Reviews

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to read some poetry for Easter morning, and found this on Internet Archive (archive.org). Livingston's collection, nominally published for children, contained both secular and religious poems (appropriate for a religious holiday that has crept secularly into the broader world; see: Animal Crossing's Bunny Day). Included are some poems by authors who I thought of as novelists for children: Joan Aiken, Zilpha Keatley Snyder. "An Easter Present" by X. J. Kennedy was my favorite among them poems.

[Adriana Fernández-Guillén · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has many poems about Easter that do not rhyme but flow nicely enough to make sense. I enjoyed some but not all and the messages.

[JennLynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mediocre collection of Easter-related poems. Rather dated graphics. Not particularly impressed by the quality of the content - can see why it was in my library's book sale.