Seasons: A Book of Poems

by Charlotte Zolotow, Erik Blegvad (Illustrations)

There is a special kind of quiet Which every household knows; We hear it in our sleep Upon the first night that it snows. With the signature warmth and insight that have made her one of the most heralded children's authors, Charlotte Zolotow has crafted her first I Can Read Book a beautiful collection of forty poems portraying the highlights and emotions of a child's year. Ages 4–8

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Charlotte Zolotow was a distinguished American writer, editor, and publisher who made a lasting mark on children's literature. Over her career, she authored around 70 picture book texts and edited works by prominent writers including Paul Zindel, Robert Lipsyte, and Francesca Lia Block. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she studied writing at the University of Wisconsin Madison and later joined Harper & Bros in New York, where she worked her way up from secretary to publisher. Her own books were published by over 20 houses, and she became known for her poetic and emotionally insightful texts. Zolotow’s most celebrated works include When the Wind Stops, William’s Doll, and River Winding. Her story "Enemies" was featured in The Big Book for Peace alongside other notable authors. She lived for many years in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her legacy endures not only through her own writing but also through the Charlotte Zolotow Award, established in 1998 to honor outstanding picture book texts. Her contributions helped shape modern children's literature with sensitivity, elegance, and enduring relevance.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some are almost Haiku, most don't rhyme, most are best read aloud (well, of course, most poetry is). But it's amazing what can be done with concrete basic words; I never would never have guessed that this is a leveled reader w/out the label. And of course Blegvad's illustrations are appealing as always.

A Small Pine Tree

I can see
in our front yard
a small tree
that delights
hung with lights
at Christmas time
but after Christmas day
when the lights are put away
what I really love to see
is our green-needled
small pine tree.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's amazing that this children's book of poems was only published in 2002. It has a quality to it that makes it seem much, much older.

I can't say that I was really wowed by any of the poems here, and the illustrations, old-timey as they are, are likewise just okay. Given some of the incredible illustrations in picture books today, this book may be a little too quaint for many of today's readers. However, it is easy to read, so it does serve its purpose as an easy-reader book.

[kate. · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous.
for kids? yes.
do i still love it? definitely.
poetry is just magic <3

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this easy-to-read poetry collection, prolific children's author Charlotte Zolotow shares her impressions of the four seasons. The book is divided into four parts. Winter Bits talks of snow, wind, and warm clothes. Spring Things focuses on birds, plants, and breezes. In Summer Thoughts, Zolotow describes butterflies, flowers, and bugs. Finally, in The Feel of Fall, the year winds down with Halloween, falling leaves, and golden fields.

I was surprised when I read the jacket of this book and found out that this collection, written just 11 years ago, was Zolotow's first book for beginning readers! She has done so many wonderful picture books that I guess I just figured she must also have written a few titles for kids who are learning how to read. Also amazing is the fact that she is still living, at age 97, and that this book was published in the year that she turned 87.

This book shares much in common with Zolotow's quiet, thoughtful picture book texts. Many of the poems consist of just one sentence, but those single sentences are filled with truth and beauty. Though her poems are very much about real things, mostly in nature, she has a lot of fun with language, making up words like "windrushing," "funnytime" and "beez." Her poems rarely rhyme, but each one has a distinct rhythm that shows how thoughtful she is about the placement of each word. She is also a very economical writer, using the most appropriate word for each sentiment, and no extras.

Zolotow has a lovely way of getting inside the mindset of a child. She articulates thoughts that children have in a way that makes them easy to understand, even if her child readers could not have put them into words themselves. In a poem called "Grown-ups" she poses questions: "Do mothers ever feel lonely? / Do fathers ever feel sad?" In "Birthdays", which is on the very next page, she takes note that mothers enjoy flowers more than the birthday cake preferred by kids. These wonderings and observations resonate very strongly with children who are just figuring out how the world works.

Though her poetry, Zolotow also compels kids to think differently about their worlds. In a poem called "Me" the speaker points out that if she were someone else, "there would be other things / to hear and see / for I'd be someone else / not me." This short sentence seems obvious to adults, but for children this might be a startling thought, and the beginning of empathy for people in circumstances unlike their own. In "My Cat" the speaker wonders about what her cat might think about. "Some Days" talks about how things might have been different in a child's day if he or she had not "done something mean."

Though these poems claim to be about the seasons, they are about many things: emotions, family, friendship, solitude, nature, home, and happiness. Zolotow captures each of these things on just the right level for an early reader and provides lots of food for thought, something lacking in many readers for beginners. I recommend this book very highly, especially for teaching poetry in kindergarten and first grade classrooms and library programs.

[Kelly Grimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to read the poem Falling Leaves

Personal reaction- I really enjoyed this poem but only if it were to be read to a kindergarten or even younger grade level. It is very straight forward poem that can teach young children about the season of fall. I really enjoyed the illustration of this poem too. Even though it is a short poem, it still provides a illustration that adds to the poem, drawing my eyes to the poem and wanting to read the poem.I would have enjoyed this poem more if it were just a little longer. I think it provides a great picture of the season of fall but by providing a little more information about this season would allow it to be more acceptable for older grades, first and second.

purpose/use in the classroom- This book should be read in a younger classroom setting, a kindergarten or younger classroom. This would be a great book to read when introducing the different seasons. This poem focuses specifically on fall. This poem would fit in perfectly when talking about the many characteristics of fall, for example when discussing the activities, weather,foods eaten, etc in this season of fall. The vocab is very simple but yet provides a lot of information about this specific season. For example, it describes the many colors of the leaves and even gives example of how leaves may be gathered in the fall, burned, raked, and flowing in the wind.With this language, students will be able to not only learn about the physical season of fall, but they will be able to learn about different activities they can do. Overall, this poem is a great poem to read to younger students to clearly teach about the season of fall.

[Christine Kallner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlotte Zolotow is a pretty big name in children's books (or so I presume since she has an award named after her), but one I really have very little knowledge and experience of. The combination of poetry and seasons drew me to this one I borrowed from the library. It's a solid volume especially considering it's an early reader book, which tend to be (understandably) simplistic. Most of the poems are pretty light (again, understandable) with a few more thought-provoking ones which was a nice surprise. Overall this was a nice mix of topics, sentiments, and seasons with lovely illustrations. I'm glad to know there is more variety to early readers out there than Dick and Jane.

[Leatha]

This is a book of over 40 poems about the seasons. Mostly told through the eyes of a child.

I would recommend this book for children K-3 grade. It has simple words for children learning to read the verses are clever, full of emotions, and entertaining. It is a book that is easily understood for younger children not yet able to read.

[Drew Slanina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was honestly not a fan of this book. The poems were really short, and it didn't keep my interest. I did like the fact that it followed through the seasons in a normal time. For example, in winter it starts off by talking about the first snow, and then it goes through Christmas, and it talks about the holiday itself.

[Andi Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet poems about the seasons. They're short enough that beginning readers (and even more advanced readers) won't get bored. The vocabulary and rhyme is charming, simple but not dum dum... May even give them a nudge to draw what they've read : )

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked these poems.

One that I read was A small pine tree. It reminded me of this little Christmas tree I used to have.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art by Erik Blegvad, reminds me of Ernest Shepard

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book of beginning poems with beautiful illustrations. I think my favorites were "First Snow" and "The Crickets."

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book of poetry. The poems are so simple,but poignant. It is a great introductory tool to poetry and the seasons.

[Denise Talamantez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how each of the seasons are portrayed by the superb illustrations.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very refreshing, the small things in life are often times the best.

[Mandy Robek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy to discover Charlotte Zolotow has written poems for early readers. Lots of poems to enjoy to help savor the seasons.

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

AR Quiz No. 58144 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 4.1 - AR Pts: 0.5

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not best to be read in one sitting. It would be fun to read over time....perhaps the seasons it speaks of.

9/19/17 Read with Naomi.

[Jean Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated collection of I Can Read Poems. My 9yr ate it up. Her favorite:

A Small Pint Tree

I can see
In our front yard
A small pine tree
that delights
hung with lights
at Christmas time
but after Christmas day
when the lights are put away
what I really love to see
is our green-needled
small pine tree.

[Matthew S. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book poems are well written. Lots of wind.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the illustrations but the poems were meh for me. I liked that it covered all four seasons.

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ink-and-watercolor illustrations by Erik Blegvad are quite lovely. I found the poems disappointingly so-so.