Stories and Poems for Extremely Intelligent Children of All Ages

by Harold Bloom

The nation's most celebrated literary critic introduces children to the exciting world of literature through this collection of great stories by Hans Christian Andersen, William Blake, O. Henry, Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, and others. 100,000 first printing.

Genres: Poetry, Short Stories, Fiction, Classics, Literature, Anthologies, Childrens

573 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Harold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of stories, poetry, and fables that are separated by season. The girls and I read all of Autumn in September, October and November. Now that's January, we will start on Winter.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the bookshelves of a wide-ranging reader in 2020 you will probably find some version of the following: a great dictionary, thesaurus, [BELIEF SYSTEM/OR NOT BOOK(S) OF CHOICE HERE], encyclopedia, atlas and almanac. I would recommend Harold Bloom's Stories and Poems for Extremely Intelligent Children of all Ages gain a foothold on one of those shelves.

As one reads the encyclopedia, or thesaurus, by bits and through specific searches is the best way I find to read this book. A little everyday, but not necessarily in order or season. One has different needs and I love to approach this one with a big dose of whimsy and spontaneity.

5 stars. Reaching out as far as they can!

[Alisha G · Rating 4 out of 5]

We had to give this back to the library, but I definitely plan on buying it. There was so much that I wanted to read, and it is exactly the sort of book I want my children to read. (One minor quibble is that I wish Bloom had included more non-Western authors)

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

These stories and poems are mostly beautifully written examples of literature. Great examples of vocabulary, sentence structure, construction. But I have issue with this collection being called "for children". We were introduced to this book because my 7th grader's lit curriculum uses it for poems (mostly Edward Lear, whose poems, while humorous and allowing you to learn about poetry types, are not life-changing poetry). I read the rest out of curiousity. At first I was like, yes, Kipling's Just So stories, yes, Rikki-Tikki, okay, a couple of Grimm's, so many of the selections had dark undertones. At first I saw a hint of mystery, then as I went on, murder, hauntings...just weirdness. These stories were engaging, well written, classically descriptive, and I wouldn't call them soulless, but...where is the hope, the faith, the rewards for deeds or examples of good character? These are the type of things I want to give children. These stories seem like B-sides. They are interesting, but some end pointlessly or disappointingly, giving me a feeling of "is that all the author had to say about us as humans?" Most of the stories and poems were new to me, but this is not a book I will keep. I'm not even sure I think it is worth passing on to anyone. There are many poems but you could cut out quite a few of them by just reading both of Lewis Carroll's Alice books because the author was evidently partial to them and really included quite a few.

[Rayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever you need a book to read to your children this is it! It is a compilation of classic lit. geared to kids. Yeats, Carrol, Kipling etc. My kids LOVE hearing the rhythm of the language even if they don't understand all the words. Some of the short stories are laugh-out-loud funny like "The Remarkable Rocket" by Oscar Wilde. This is what children were reading a hundred years ago, why change now?

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

This anthology includes some hauntingly beautiful stories, but Bloom takes pride in including a number of tales that are obtuse and obscure (requiring that extra dose of intelligence implied in the title). I, who love classic literature and "deep reading," was made to feel less than intelligent for not enjoying them.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has lived next to my big claw-footed iron bathtub all year, and the stories and poems therein have been perfect bath time companions. A fat compendium of old and old-fashioned works divided by season, I'm not entirely sure I would agree that it's for children, but there is certainly a whimsical theme to many of the selections.

[Boca]

Never let a pompous title get in the way of good reading.

[Jessaminesbluecastle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books of all time. If I am ever going somewhere and only have space for one or two books, I will take this, because it will without fail produce the perfect selection to match any mood of mine.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gift from my father. This was one of my favorite books as a kid because of the varied selections available to read.

[Aidan Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about poems and stories is most likely to be interested with . I like this book full of totally interesting stories.

[Liora Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic collection that served me over several years for leisure reading and meaning.

[Nanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many terrific inclusions & others not so much. Must hunt & peck for what to read from it...maybe I'M not that intelligent. What a title!?

[David Withun · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Mary Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to have by your bed and randomly pick a selection before sleeping. If you have children around the house, there are plenty of things to read aloud.

[Zachary Waltz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this collection to be exposed to more poetry, having felt I had not yet acquired a taste for it, yet when I had finished it I realized I had a certain definite taste for poetry that these poems satisfied or dissatisfied to various degrees. I can divide my reaction into three categories:

1. The poems that quickly grew tedious, tiresome, and annoying. Many of these had a sing-song quality. Often, the meter was off and the sound of the words were clunky as I tried to read them. Edward Lear’s poetry are special offenders, and I shall probably never speak out a poem of his again.

2. Poems that were refreshing but neither astonished nor produced contemplation. Many of the famous poets fell under this category, such as the poems of Shelley, William Blake, Tennyson. Their poems at least rolled off the tongue and had a mellifluous quality.

3. Poems that enlivened me and also produced either astonishment, contemplation, or enjoyment. Lewis Carroll’s poems, though always of a sing-song nature, were a level above the rest of them and always were enjoyable. I therefore resolved to keep my Lewis Carrol and even get his Sylvia and Bruno (where “A Pig-Tale” is from), and I will remember from now on to treasure him more going forward. Other honorable mentions are Keat’s “The Human Seasons”, “Song” and “Up-Hill” by Christina Rossetti, and “Bits of Straw” by John Clare.

[gab]

i read the ones that interested me heehee

the necklaces of princess fiorimonde
the bottle imp
goblin market (10/10)
rikki-tikki-tavi
the elephant's child
the king of the golden river
the goose girl (i will read the goose girl in any form)
the red shoes
the spring lover and the autumn lover
reflections
and a story about two dudes who liked the same girl and the one who strikes out goes off to The East and turns into some kind of sorcerer, that i unfortunately currently can't remember the name of

amongst others

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful anthology of stories; I loved about 80% of the stories. I was introduced to several authors I hadn't read before, especially notable was Lafcadio Hearn, and introduced to works of authors I knew. Oscar Wilde's "The Remarkable Rocket" and Christina Rossetti's poetry were wonderful. Lewis Carroll is one of my favorites.

[Gregory Ashe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of short stories and poems (makes me want to read more of the short story authors' works). Would be interesting to see a 20th century version of this book (i.e., selections from more modern poets and writers).

[Monica Arreola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the combination of short stories and poems. The winter section of the book is very dark, and my absolute favorite was autumn.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of literature for children. From fairy tales (lesser-known classics) to nonsense poetry (Edward Lear) to more serious short stories (Leo Tolstoy), this collection is essential for any good children's library. The selections will prepare children well for secondary and postsecondary studies. Many of the works are considered essential for cultural literacy. I still read this book as a college student.

Sensibly collected into four sections (grouped by "season"), this collection is appropriately organized for young readers. No illustrations are present along with the stories, something I find makes the book more appropriate for older children, and of course keeps the focus on the material and lends a more serious tone to the work. One caution: topics such as witches/hobgoblins and typical fairy tale dilemmas (marriage, unrequited love, et c.) arise, so parents/teachers should review content before giving to very young readers.

[Belinda Lorenzana · Rating 2 out of 5]

No lo leí completo porque lo saqué de la biblioteca y había que devolverlo. La selección de Bloom me pareció moralista, alejada de una visión lúdica de la literatura infantil. Encontré problemas con la traducción de algunos poemas que, siendo juegos de palabras, absurdos, rimas caprichosas, pierden el atractivo que de seguro tienen en su lengua original. El cuento de Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Testapluma", es un gran acierto en la selección: hermosamente triste.

[Pondering Pig Newton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why, but I'm kind of disappointed in this anthology so far. I started reading the section titled 'Winter', and it feels sort of wintry. I expect to continue dipping into it rather than reading straight through.

Goodreads keeps asking me to "update my progress" and wants to know what page I'm on. This is a book for dipping into, not reading straight through. How do I update that. It's like a book of my favorite poetry - I'll never be finished with it!

[Lia Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was an extremely insightful compilation of poetry and short stories. I am quite an avid reader of classics, and becoming a young adult with this book in hand has transformed me into, I feel, a more enlightened human being who can honestly appreciate what generations prior to my own have contributed...

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine collection, though I would advise looking elsewhere if you are looking for an anthology of juvenile poems and stories (both because some of the selections would be too difficult for young children to read, and because some would be disturbing or simply confusing--I'm not sure, for example, at what age kids would be ready to learn about John Brown's life and execution).

[julucha · Rating 2 out of 5]

[2001] La arrogancia anglosajona no tiene límites conocidos pero pongamos por ejemplo que se pudiera medir a través de una selección literaria pues ¡tachán! Aquí llegaríamos cerca del tope. En definitiva compilación fallida de este personaje tan cargante que bien podría haberse titulado “acércale este peñazo de ladrillo a un niño y odiará leer el resto de su vida”

[Gláucia Renata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ótima seleção feita por um apaixonado pela boa leitura. Destaco A Agreste Floresta, O Mistério de Thor Bridge, De Quanta Terra um Homem Precisa? (de Tolstoi, terrível!), A Sepultura Intranquila e o perturbador poema O Mercado do Duende (que medo!).

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is divided into four sections—spring, summer, fall, and winter. Spring generally means comedy; summer means romance; autumn means tragedy; and winter means irony. As the title says, the book contains both stories and poems.

[Ruth Shulman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Share this with your favorite intelligent child. :)

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the title for this collection of stories, but I wasn't super impressed. Maybe I'll give it another chance later...