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Days Like This: A Collection of Small Poems
"Each brief verse has the rhythmic lilt and play with sounds and meaning that so engage young children. . . . But James's illustrations are the best feature of this inviting collection." — The Horn Book (starred review)
Days Like This is a book of celebration — whether it's the novelty of sleeping outdoors, the delight of picnicking on the beach, or the sheer joy of bouncing on the bed in the afternoon. These small poems have been carefully selected by acclaimed author-illustrator Simon James, whose expressive line and watercolors portray an everyday world overflowing with wonder and possibility. With words and pictures given space to breathe, this is a collection of poems to read and revel in from beginning to end.
Days Like This is a book of celebration — whether it's the novelty of sleeping outdoors, the delight of picnicking on the beach, or the sheer joy of bouncing on the bed in the afternoon. These small poems have been carefully selected by acclaimed author-illustrator Simon James, whose expressive line and watercolors portray an everyday world overflowing with wonder and possibility. With words and pictures given space to breathe, this is a collection of poems to read and revel in from beginning to end.
48 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 1999
3 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Simon James
30 books44 followersSimon James is the award-winning author-illustrator of many children’s books, including such favorites as DEAR GREENPEACE, LEON AND BOB, and the Baby Brains series. His stories often concern a child’s relationship with the natural world. Simon James lives in England.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 21, 2012
This book contains a variety of short rhythmic poems, ideal for ages 5 - 7. Approximately 80% of the book is made up of illustrations. The images are simple, delicate prints which link to each other in some way. Each visual is made up of simple black out – lines, filled with watercolour pastel colours.
I thought that this book is great book to get children reading and moving. Children are able to skip to the rhythm of the poems and read them to each other. This book would be great to be used educationally and used for a range of subjects such as Literacy, P.E, Geography, Art. Children are able to learn more about short poems and use this book to identify rhyming words or to use it as a stimulus to create their own rhythmic poems.
I thought that this book is great book to get children reading and moving. Children are able to skip to the rhythm of the poems and read them to each other. This book would be great to be used educationally and used for a range of subjects such as Literacy, P.E, Geography, Art. Children are able to learn more about short poems and use this book to identify rhyming words or to use it as a stimulus to create their own rhythmic poems.
September 12, 2019
Short simple poems that would be useful when introducing poetry to KS1 children.
March 30, 2021
Days Like This is a collection of small poems that falls into the poetry genre. This small book of poems is appropriate for readers ages 6-9 years of age, the small book travels through a multitude of various experiences from sleeping outdoors to the sheer joy of bouncing on the bed. This author has taken everyday experiences and brought them to life with rhythmic lift and play with meanings and sounds that are truly engaging. The use of watercolors and expressive lines draws you into the experience being described to make you close your eyes and almost imagine yourself there in the moment. The book exudes wonder and possibility, that you experience in your everyday world such as the delight of picnicking on the beach. I believe this book would be appealing to young readers because of the beautiful illustrations, and the word choice. In addition to the simplicity of taking everyday scenarios and morphing them into a great work of creativity. I would use this book in a reading lesson, to encourage students to write freely and with simplicity, to challenge them to embrace those childlike moments with freedom and expression. If a child is an artist of some sort them can be encouraged to capture simple moments on paper or canvas.
February 25, 2019
Grade: Kindergarten and First Grade
Summary: This book is filled with different poems from a variety of authors. The poems are realistic to daily life.
Review: I love the font size as well as the beautiful pictures that go along with the poems. I enjoy the fact that the poems are realistic because for younger children the poems would be easier to understand.
As a teacher I would use this book to demonstrate the beauty in daily life to my students. I would read aloud this book in the morning to start their days on a bright note.
The first poem in the book is called "The Adventurers", so I would have my students write a story about an adventure they either have been on or want to go on.
Summary: This book is filled with different poems from a variety of authors. The poems are realistic to daily life.
Review: I love the font size as well as the beautiful pictures that go along with the poems. I enjoy the fact that the poems are realistic because for younger children the poems would be easier to understand.
As a teacher I would use this book to demonstrate the beauty in daily life to my students. I would read aloud this book in the morning to start their days on a bright note.
The first poem in the book is called "The Adventurers", so I would have my students write a story about an adventure they either have been on or want to go on.
July 26, 2021
Days like this is a very charming collection of small poems, all spanning only a few sentences and accompanied by equally charming illustrations reminiscent of Roald Dahl. This book is an absolute ray of sunshine to read with my kids.
January 3, 2021
great illustrations - good story
April 30, 2021
My daughter received this book for Christmas. Lovely poems about nature and life.
February 21, 2022
Lovely! Whimsical illustrations, and.a beautiful collection of short poems for kids.
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January 5, 2023Good selection of simple poem. Good for early / first level for daily poems to dip into
March 4, 2024
This is a fun series of poems for kids to read! I love the illustrations! This poetry book is a cute and fun read aloud!
March 19, 2025
The illustrations make me nostalgic for when I was the age of the target audience. The poems are so sweet.
July 8, 2025
These are great poems to read to your little ones. They are short and sweet. The illustrations are watercolor and just go perfectly to set the mood.
April 5, 2013
Days Like This by Simon James is a collection of small poems written by varying authors. It is an endearing anthology intended for Primary (P) readers. The book contains free-flowing, rhythmical poems revolving around different activities, many adventuresome and naturalistic, done during the day.
The poems compiling this collection are relatable for young readers, and enjoyable for older. The arrangement of the poems is logical and form-fitting. This collection has a range of poetry which support its fun and flare. From traditional rhythmical poems, to thought-provoking, to those whose author played with line variation, matching the shape of the poem to the letters in it, this book undoubtedly contains versatile poems.
The illustrations are also delightful and supportive. The majority of the pages within the book are the illustrations. They are simple yet they get the point across for each poem. James uses pastel, watercolors that are then accentuated by the black lines that form the actual characters and scenery.
Since the poems are concise and lyrical, this book would be ideal for young readers being introduced to poetry. A language arts lesson could be to have the students create their own short poems with rhyming words so that they get a better grasp on this poetic device.
The poems compiling this collection are relatable for young readers, and enjoyable for older. The arrangement of the poems is logical and form-fitting. This collection has a range of poetry which support its fun and flare. From traditional rhythmical poems, to thought-provoking, to those whose author played with line variation, matching the shape of the poem to the letters in it, this book undoubtedly contains versatile poems.
The illustrations are also delightful and supportive. The majority of the pages within the book are the illustrations. They are simple yet they get the point across for each poem. James uses pastel, watercolors that are then accentuated by the black lines that form the actual characters and scenery.
Since the poems are concise and lyrical, this book would be ideal for young readers being introduced to poetry. A language arts lesson could be to have the students create their own short poems with rhyming words so that they get a better grasp on this poetic device.
December 10, 2009
2nd grade - 4th grade
This book has very short poetry. The poems are all a stanza or two in length. Each poem uses a rhyme scheme. The pages are mostly illustrations and the poem takes up about 15% of the page. This book is great for very young readers who are trying to gain fluency. The poems are all short enough that a pre-fluency reader won't forget what the beginning of the poem is about by the time they reach the end.
Language Arts/Fine Arts
Lesson Plan: I would use this book to show one way to illustrate poetry and then I would have the class illustrate either their own poetry or a published author's.
This book has very short poetry. The poems are all a stanza or two in length. Each poem uses a rhyme scheme. The pages are mostly illustrations and the poem takes up about 15% of the page. This book is great for very young readers who are trying to gain fluency. The poems are all short enough that a pre-fluency reader won't forget what the beginning of the poem is about by the time they reach the end.
Language Arts/Fine Arts
Lesson Plan: I would use this book to show one way to illustrate poetry and then I would have the class illustrate either their own poetry or a published author's.
May 2, 2013
This is a wonderful collection of poems that are short and entertaining. The entire book can easily be read at one time and the poems are easy for children to understand. The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish.
I love discovering poetry books for our girls - I know that our oldest especially is a poet at heart and I want to foster her love for this kind of writing. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
I love discovering poetry books for our girls - I know that our oldest especially is a poet at heart and I want to foster her love for this kind of writing. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
June 18, 2008
this is probably one of my favorite poetry books. I love the poem called A lazy thought. It is about parents and how much of in a hurry they are and that they can't grow up anymore because growing takes time. I thought it was funny.
October 22, 2015
I lovelovelove this poetry book! It is so suitable for children, and such a great book to introduce the class to poetry. They can understand these short poems and relate to them! The illustrations are so cute and colorful, and it really helps the reader focus on the poem more. Amazing book!
March 31, 2016
Oh this is lovely. The art is so sweet and the poems are small and nice and they would be good for small nice people to memorize. I really like "Pink Azalea" by Charlotte Zolotow, but this book is full of winners.
August 13, 2009
Poetry. Great collection of small, simple poems. Good book to introduce poetry to those who havn'e read much of it.
April 20, 2011
A small, sweet anthology with some of my favorite poems--delightful illustrations add their own charm.
May 21, 2011
I would recomend this book to poetry lovers & kids who like short poems mostly about school & the summer time. I mostly didn't like this book because I think I'm a little to old to read this.
September 19, 2011
A very nice collection of poetry that students will definitely connect with. Appealing illustrations. Great for younger grades.
November 2, 2011
Great collection of poems! I love the connections to nature and adventure.
April 9, 2012
Focus on short poems.
March 22, 2013
Days Like This by Simon James - What a beautiful poetry book that got me in the mood for a beautiful Spring and Summer day. Loved this collection of small poems, just lovely.
September 7, 2013
lovely small poems for emergent poets
July 1, 2016
Short poems... they're fine. Nothing super great about it over other poetry books. most are based in nature or vacation type settings.
April 18, 2017
It's National Poetry Month. I told my class today that every month is poetry month. I have quite a collection of poetry books for the children to peruse, but this is one of my favorites. How can so few words say so very much?! I have a hard time choosing a favorite in this book. First thing this morning, I read the class the first poem. I reminded them how poetry is intended to be read aloud and usually deserves several readings before we even know if we like it or not. I read the first one three times, they liked it more each reading. I moved to the second - repeating . I had them hooked. I read the third one. It's full of rhythm, so we all tapped our desks or our thighs or our feet as I read it three times. They asked me to read more! We moved on to math. More tomorrow. I told them how much I love Simon James. We recently read one of my favorite narrative picture books, The Wild Woods. Then I laughed and said, "How can I love him so much when I've never even met him?" I told them he must be a wonderful person to write such amazing stories and poems. He really must be! Don't miss out on this "collection of small poems." If you think his work (fabulous cartoons) looks familiar, you may know his, Dear Mr. Blueberry, that is included in some basal readers.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews