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A Child's Introduction to Poetry: Listen While You Learn about the Magic Words That Have Moved Mountains, Won Battles and Made Us Laugh and Cry
This wide-ranging journey through the history and highlights of the world's poetry covers everything from odes and epics to nonsense verse and haikus. The book encourages children to listen, read, and learn. Full color illustrations.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published May 6, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 11, 2024
This is a nice hardback book with an extremely diverse selection of poetry. Along with the explanations of the different forms of poetry; you will find little biographies of some famous Poets, and an accompanying CD of poetry that is read aloud.
Some forms of poetry you will find include; Nursery Rhymes (Mother Goose, etc...), Nonsense Verses (Jabberwocky fame), The Villanelle (Pronounced "Villain L" Dylan Thomas wrote some), etc... The poets include such well known personalitys as; Homer, William Shakespeare, Hilaire Belloc, Maya Angelou, and much more.
I really learned a lot about Poetry and the mechanics of writing them. My mom writes poetry, so it has always been read in my family. This book adds a depth to my enjoyment of it.
Some forms of poetry you will find include; Nursery Rhymes (Mother Goose, etc...), Nonsense Verses (Jabberwocky fame), The Villanelle (Pronounced "Villain L" Dylan Thomas wrote some), etc... The poets include such well known personalitys as; Homer, William Shakespeare, Hilaire Belloc, Maya Angelou, and much more.
I really learned a lot about Poetry and the mechanics of writing them. My mom writes poetry, so it has always been read in my family. This book adds a depth to my enjoyment of it.
March 27, 2010
This is a great book. Not condescending at all. The author picks truly great (and difficult) poetry and presents it in a really engaging way, with just enough explanation for kids to figure out the meanings of the poems. The only quibble I have is that the readers on the accompanying cd are not that good. No matter - poetry is always better when you yourself read it out loud!
May 26, 2022
We enjoyed this book, especially the CD with the variety of poems on it. It was a great introduction to famous poets (primarily English-speaking), poems, and some popular forms, some of which I don't remember even hearing about until college.
January 13, 2018
A pretty good introduction to poetic terms and styles for grades 3-6. I would have scored it higher, but for some reason, The Raven and The Pied Piper of Hamlin were only excerpts.
November 24, 2008
A diverse selection of poetry, an engaging explanation of forms of poetry, and an accompanying CD of poetry read aloud.
Recommended for ages 9-12, but useful for all ages, including parents, teachers and librarians.
A tremendous amount of effort went into every aspect of this book--the explanations of different types of poetry, historical notes, the selection of poems, the CD recording of poetry read aloud, and the amusing illustrations. The information presented is the equivalent of a college course on poetry, but it's designed for children and teenagers. Because there is so much content packed into the book and CD, this book has multiple potential uses. Parents could read a good selection of poetry out loud to young children, as well as explain some of the different types of rhyming poetry that are given. Teenagers interested in writing poetry could use this book for inspiration and as a guide to what poetry forms might suit the types of feelings they want to express. The book would also be a useful tool for teachers and librarians who want to share poetry with children. An especially helpful feature is a box under some poems containing the meanings of words that most children wouldn't understand. Like many poetry volumes, it is not a book to read from start to finish, but rather to dip into when the mood strikes you--and some of the poems might never appeal to you. The illustrations give the book a contemporary feel; for example, accompanying the text of Robert Burn's "O, my luve is like a red, red rose" is a watercolor of a Las Vegas wedding.
A Booklist review (11/15/03) retrieved on titlewave.com said that there is too much information on each page; however, the reviewer liked the CD and the author's focus on what makes poetry enjoyable. The reviewer thought the book would be useful both for families and teachers. In contrast, School Library Journal (1/1/04) found the format "inviting" and "lively", and thought the book was a must for teachers, homeschool teachers and libraries. Both reviews were descriptive, but the initial negative tone of the Booklist review might deter someone from looking at the book in spite of the fact that positive aspects of it were also mentioned.
Recommended for ages 9-12, but useful for all ages, including parents, teachers and librarians.
A tremendous amount of effort went into every aspect of this book--the explanations of different types of poetry, historical notes, the selection of poems, the CD recording of poetry read aloud, and the amusing illustrations. The information presented is the equivalent of a college course on poetry, but it's designed for children and teenagers. Because there is so much content packed into the book and CD, this book has multiple potential uses. Parents could read a good selection of poetry out loud to young children, as well as explain some of the different types of rhyming poetry that are given. Teenagers interested in writing poetry could use this book for inspiration and as a guide to what poetry forms might suit the types of feelings they want to express. The book would also be a useful tool for teachers and librarians who want to share poetry with children. An especially helpful feature is a box under some poems containing the meanings of words that most children wouldn't understand. Like many poetry volumes, it is not a book to read from start to finish, but rather to dip into when the mood strikes you--and some of the poems might never appeal to you. The illustrations give the book a contemporary feel; for example, accompanying the text of Robert Burn's "O, my luve is like a red, red rose" is a watercolor of a Las Vegas wedding.
A Booklist review (11/15/03) retrieved on titlewave.com said that there is too much information on each page; however, the reviewer liked the CD and the author's focus on what makes poetry enjoyable. The reviewer thought the book would be useful both for families and teachers. In contrast, School Library Journal (1/1/04) found the format "inviting" and "lively", and thought the book was a must for teachers, homeschool teachers and libraries. Both reviews were descriptive, but the initial negative tone of the Booklist review might deter someone from looking at the book in spite of the fact that positive aspects of it were also mentioned.
June 21, 2019
This book is a nice introduction to poetry, as the title states, though I imagine that most of what's discussed within it would fly over elementary children heads. Though let me not be presumptuous, yet still I would recommend this more so for middle school and or high school students. Overall, this was a good read with beautiful illustrations.
August 17, 2016
The kids and I had a great time with this one. Really fun and a great selection.
December 16, 2021
My book is purple, not green.
July 3, 2017
Chose this poetry anthology as I never really appreciated or understood poetry and am glad I found this multimedia tool that broke down poetry in two basic parts; Part One: The Rhymes and Their Reasons and Part Two: Poetry Greats. In Part One you learn different types of poetry -old favorites like nursery rrhymes, haikus, and limericks and a couple of ones I was not as familiar with like a villanelles and pastoral poems (a villanelle is a poem where the main two lines are repeated again and again and pastoral poems are ones created to escape from city life troubles. The second part which was really helpful and interesting was about the lives and influential works of as before the ones you know from Homer, Shakespeare, Dickinson, Poe; and others but a lot I surprisingly was not familiar with at all but am now interested in like Christina Rossetti, Hilaire Belloc, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Octavio Paz. In each section to expound on the principles highlighted there are examples, glossary word banks for troubling words and explanations on different aspects which I appreciate..but no as much as one of the other best parts—the accompanying cd that reads the poems aloud to you. Overall this book can be used as an educational tool, a poetry refresher and a great collection of some memorable additions to literature and the poetry genre.
March 15, 2023
4.5 Stars
I absolutely enjoyed reading this, not only because I read it to my homeschooled children, but because it was fabulous even for my 43 year old self. It's quite a thorough introduction to some of the many different types of poetry and includes works from some of the greatest (or most well-known poets) in the world throughout history.
The book is filled with fun illustrations, explanations of some of the more difficult poems, definitions, and small biographies and interesting details about the poets themselves. I adore that there is an audio tool that comes with it so you can listen to the poems being read to you.
I probably wouldn't recommend this for small children. It's quite extensive. But older children will love it and I can honestly say that this is a great place for adults to start as well. I was disappointed when I finished it. The entire experience was completely enjoyable and oh so interesting.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this, not only because I read it to my homeschooled children, but because it was fabulous even for my 43 year old self. It's quite a thorough introduction to some of the many different types of poetry and includes works from some of the greatest (or most well-known poets) in the world throughout history.
The book is filled with fun illustrations, explanations of some of the more difficult poems, definitions, and small biographies and interesting details about the poets themselves. I adore that there is an audio tool that comes with it so you can listen to the poems being read to you.
I probably wouldn't recommend this for small children. It's quite extensive. But older children will love it and I can honestly say that this is a great place for adults to start as well. I was disappointed when I finished it. The entire experience was completely enjoyable and oh so interesting.
September 2, 2020
I loved this book! It’s very cute and has a dvd with the rhymes if you want to listen. It is set up in a way like you are taking a tour of poetry. The illustrations are very cute and it is easy to follow along. Very good introduction to poetry for young readers who haven’t been really introduced to the different types of poetry yet. Introduces many classics such as twinkle twinkle little star all the way to Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson. It has definitions to hard words and what either the poems mean or history snippets.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2020
A very classic and predominantly male and white approach to poetry with short biographies of the poet and insight into some of the poems. Portions of poems are excerpted or the full poem is included. There is a CD so students can listen to the poem being read as well as read along.
Good for researching a poet or work on fluency with reading a poem aloud. Classroom library for 3rd through 6th grades.
Good for researching a poet or work on fluency with reading a poem aloud. Classroom library for 3rd through 6th grades.
March 16, 2023
I really enjoyed going through this book with the kids. It briefly covered 21 of the world’s most renown poets. A concise description of their lives was given, with one of their works transcribed. There was also the option of visiting a website and listening to the poems provided. We liked the experience so much, that we will be going through “A Child’s Intro to the Orchestra” next, and the kids have requested another after that.
I highly recommend it as a starting point into further study.
I highly recommend it as a starting point into further study.
August 3, 2020
4.5 - At one poem a day, a near perfect introduction to famous poets like Maya Angelou and William Shakespeare. Both accessible and smart. My only quibble was I wish the author would have included the formulas for popular poetic forms so readers could try their hands at creating limericks and such themselves.
May 26, 2020
A great book for teaching styles of poetry and poetic terms. Each poem has a bio about the author, and a word bank to define less common words. We didn’t have the cd to listen to the poems read by professionals, but it was still very manageable and enjoyable.
December 14, 2017
Wonderful introduction to poets and their most famous poems. We read about one poet per day. Comes with an audio CD of all the poems. 7+
September 16, 2020
This book is fantastic! It may be my favorite read of the year.
May 27, 2021
This book is great, we are reading it with my 10 years old. I’m learning along with him. I wish there was a second book.
March 20, 2017
Exactly what it claims to be: An introduction to poetry. We enjoyed reading about different styles of poetry as well as famous poets. I would recommend for third grade and up.
March 22, 2012
This book introduces the reader to a variety of poetry that is arranged in a chronological format.
This book would be a wonderful resource for both students and teachers. The book includes a variety of poems ranging from the most basic nursery rhymes to passages from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The book is arranged in a chronological format that follows poetry up to the current period, ending with a poem by Maya Angelou. There is an accompanying C.D. that readers can use to hear the poems read aloud. Each type of poem is introduced with a background regarding the poem’s style. The book does not present poetry in a dry or boring form. Instead, there are entertaining illustrations and explanatory passages that will keep readers engaged in the book’s content. Unfamiliar terms are defined in the pages’ margins, making the poetry easier to understand, and less frustrating for struggling readers. There is also a glossary at the end of the book that lists various poetry terms and their meanings. There is also a bibliography that will provide guidance to readers who would like ideas regarding future poetry books to read.
Booklist recommends the book for grades 4-6. However, some of the poems in this book are ones that realistically would not be introduced until high school. So, although the illustrations are somewhat juvenile, this book would also be appropriate for a high school classroom or library.
This book would be a wonderful resource for both students and teachers. The book includes a variety of poems ranging from the most basic nursery rhymes to passages from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The book is arranged in a chronological format that follows poetry up to the current period, ending with a poem by Maya Angelou. There is an accompanying C.D. that readers can use to hear the poems read aloud. Each type of poem is introduced with a background regarding the poem’s style. The book does not present poetry in a dry or boring form. Instead, there are entertaining illustrations and explanatory passages that will keep readers engaged in the book’s content. Unfamiliar terms are defined in the pages’ margins, making the poetry easier to understand, and less frustrating for struggling readers. There is also a glossary at the end of the book that lists various poetry terms and their meanings. There is also a bibliography that will provide guidance to readers who would like ideas regarding future poetry books to read.
Booklist recommends the book for grades 4-6. However, some of the poems in this book are ones that realistically would not be introduced until high school. So, although the illustrations are somewhat juvenile, this book would also be appropriate for a high school classroom or library.
January 22, 2014
Our oldest brought this book home from her elementary school library and we attempted to read it together. However, we only got about a third of the way through the book when we discovered that she had to return it. I finally borrowed it again through our local library and we read the rest of it in one night.
If I have any complaints, it's that it's not easy to listen to the CD and keep up with the separate narrative of the book. After a frustrating first attempt to do both at the same time, I decided to listen to the whole CD at once, then go back and read the narrative again independently. Our girls liked the poems, but didn't want me to read the rest aloud. Our oldest daughter said she'd already read the entire book and our youngest didn't care to hear the rest. So that's that.
The narrative is interesting, even if it doesn't work seamlessly with the audio CD and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish, adding fun details to the poems. Overall, it's an entertaining and informative read.
If I have any complaints, it's that it's not easy to listen to the CD and keep up with the separate narrative of the book. After a frustrating first attempt to do both at the same time, I decided to listen to the whole CD at once, then go back and read the narrative again independently. Our girls liked the poems, but didn't want me to read the rest aloud. Our oldest daughter said she'd already read the entire book and our youngest didn't care to hear the rest. So that's that.
The narrative is interesting, even if it doesn't work seamlessly with the audio CD and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish, adding fun details to the poems. Overall, it's an entertaining and informative read.
October 21, 2016
•No awards
2) The poems vary in appropriateness for certain grade levels, making this book best suited for a wide range from Kindergarten to even 5th grade.
•A collection of poetry, spanning all different forms of poetry. Listen and follow along with the CD while you read poems like Jabberwocky, Haiku and even Shakespeare. While you read you can also learn about the structure of each poem and the authors who wrote them.
•There are a wide range of poems to listen to and read, however not all are appropriate for young children. It does offer a resource for teachers who want to teach a lesson on different form of poems. It would be best to copy the poems as most of the page is filled with text rather than pictures.
5) One of the best uses for this set of poems is to have the children (higher grade levels) look through and try to create a poem similar to the poems in the book. This will show them how poems can have multiple different forms. Another use can be to use it as a historical reference for learning about the evolution of poetry and how it has effected people around the world.
2) The poems vary in appropriateness for certain grade levels, making this book best suited for a wide range from Kindergarten to even 5th grade.
•A collection of poetry, spanning all different forms of poetry. Listen and follow along with the CD while you read poems like Jabberwocky, Haiku and even Shakespeare. While you read you can also learn about the structure of each poem and the authors who wrote them.
•There are a wide range of poems to listen to and read, however not all are appropriate for young children. It does offer a resource for teachers who want to teach a lesson on different form of poems. It would be best to copy the poems as most of the page is filled with text rather than pictures.
5) One of the best uses for this set of poems is to have the children (higher grade levels) look through and try to create a poem similar to the poems in the book. This will show them how poems can have multiple different forms. Another use can be to use it as a historical reference for learning about the evolution of poetry and how it has effected people around the world.
September 18, 2010
An excellent poetry book for children and for teachers of poetry! This book has a fun format with great illustrations and it explains types of poetry in a non-threatening way. The poems included are mostly familiar (for adults) and will probably rouse up some precious memories. A bonus to the book is a CD that will read the poetry to you!
April 8, 2016
A very fun book! We read a two page spread each week that talks about a different style of poetry. There are vocabulary words and definitions and fun historical tid-bits. The book comes with a CD to listen to a professional read the poems aloud as you follow along in the book. My kids have really enjoyed this book/CD this school year!
September 24, 2008
We (my 5yo and I) just started this book and she loves it!! She wants to listen to the poetry CD all the time. It's a great introduction to the different kinds of poetry and contains wonderful, classic examples of each. We are using it to supplement our mini-homeschool program.
July 12, 2025
This is a great intro to poetry for young readers. Each poet is introduced in a biographical setting and then there are one or more of that poet's poems. We very much enjoyed listening to the poems being recited on the CD after reading them ourselves.
May 14, 2009
This is a great, interactive text that comes with a CD of the poems being read out loud. I wish that I could buy a copy for each of my students!
July 1, 2010
Outstanding selection of poetry. This would be a good addition to any childs bookshelf.
January 31, 2014
this is a great teachers resource, describing poems, their meaning, reason and ability, allowing teaching.
September 14, 2011
One of the best inroductory poetry books I've read. Comes with a CD to hear the poems read aloud.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews