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Voices : Poetry and Art from Around the World
Poetic voices from six continents speak on a variety of themes about their culture, history, or land and are accompanied by stunning photos and sidebars which supply further details about the selections.
- GenresPoetry
96 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2000
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Brenner
104 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Barbara Brenner is a respected, award-winning author, specializing in works of both juvenile fiction and nonfiction educational material that deals with animals, nature, and ecology. Her interests range from the natural world (i.e. Thinking about Ants) to American history (e.g. Wagon Wheels), all of which are reflected in the wide scope of her work. Brenner discussed with Contemporary Authors Online her influences and how they have affected her literary career, concluding that “all the circumstances of my life conspired to make me a writer--just lucky, I guess.”
Brenner was born Barbara Lawrence on June 26, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York, to Robert Lawrence (a real estate broker) and Marguerite (Furboter) Johnes. Tragically, her mother died when Brenner was just a year old, and, according to Brenner, this has been a large influence on her career, with Contemporary Authors Online showing how this has added a certain level of “sensitivity” to her work. She also defines Brooklyn as a place which gave much “color” to her work, and where her father’s ambitions for her helped to develop Brenner’s intellectual curiosity.
Brenner attended Seton Hall College (now University) and Rutgers University from 1942-46, whilst also working as a copy editor at Prudential Insurance Co. from 1942 – 46. Her freelance work as an artist’s agent prepared her for a literary life, as after the birth of her two children she began work on her first book Somebody’s Slippers, Somebody’s Shoes, published in 1957. She followed this book with an educational picture book entitled Barto Takes the Subway, designed to improve reading comprehension and sight vocabulary.
Her artistic development continued when she began to collaborate with her husband, illustrator Fred Brenner, on The Flying Patchwork Quilt. Her next book, On the Frontier with Mr. Audubon, was selected by School Library Journal as “The Best of the Best” among children’s books published over 26 seasons. In a review of On the Frontier with Mr. Audubon, Paul Showers wrote in the New York Times Book Review that “Brenner again demonstrates her gift for invention and respect for facts . . . [it is] written in the polite but colloquial language of the frontier sketching in Audubon’s biographical background and recording events of the journey as they might have been observed by a serious, very perceptive 13- year-old.” One of her best-selling titles was Wagon Wheels (published in 1978), which deals with the trials and tribulations of a close-knit African American family. This true to life story is “exciting and realistic” according to Gisela Jernigan (writing in the children literature journal Booklist), and was named a 1978 American Library Association Notable Book.
Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s Brenner continued to publish, many of her works being influenced by the careers and interests of her sons. Speaking to Contemporary Authors Online Brenner explains that as their sons are both grown, and their respective careers as a “biologist . . . and musician” have both had an influence on her writing (i.e. Dinosaurium 1993). In 1986, Brenner was honored with the Pennsylvania School Librarians’ Association’s Outstanding Pennsylvania Author Award. Brenner’s most celebrated book is a collection entitled Voices: Poetry and Art from around the World, for which she was chief editor. This book received an ALA Notable Book for Children mention and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults award. According to the Horn Book Guide from Spring 2001, “more than three hundred and fifty poems from six continents evoke the specific and the universal” with contributions from both “celebrated and unknown poets, Nobel prize winners, and children” allowing the book to demonstrate Brenner’s skill in celebrating “place” and the “shared feelings” of the people about whom the book is written.
Barbara Brenner is a respected, award-winning author, specializing in works of both juvenile fiction and nonfiction educational material that deals with animals, nature, and ecology. Her interests range from the natural world (i.e. Thinking about Ants) to American history (e.g. Wagon Wheels), all of which are reflected in the wide scope of her work. Brenner discussed with Contemporary Authors Online her influences and how they have affected her literary career, concluding that “all the circumstances of my life conspired to make me a writer--just lucky, I guess.”
Brenner was born Barbara Lawrence on June 26, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York, to Robert Lawrence (a real estate broker) and Marguerite (Furboter) Johnes. Tragically, her mother died when Brenner was just a year old, and, according to Brenner, this has been a large influence on her career, with Contemporary Authors Online showing how this has added a certain level of “sensitivity” to her work. She also defines Brooklyn as a place which gave much “color” to her work, and where her father’s ambitions for her helped to develop Brenner’s intellectual curiosity.
Brenner attended Seton Hall College (now University) and Rutgers University from 1942-46, whilst also working as a copy editor at Prudential Insurance Co. from 1942 – 46. Her freelance work as an artist’s agent prepared her for a literary life, as after the birth of her two children she began work on her first book Somebody’s Slippers, Somebody’s Shoes, published in 1957. She followed this book with an educational picture book entitled Barto Takes the Subway, designed to improve reading comprehension and sight vocabulary.
Her artistic development continued when she began to collaborate with her husband, illustrator Fred Brenner, on The Flying Patchwork Quilt. Her next book, On the Frontier with Mr. Audubon, was selected by School Library Journal as “The Best of the Best” among children’s books published over 26 seasons. In a review of On the Frontier with Mr. Audubon, Paul Showers wrote in the New York Times Book Review that “Brenner again demonstrates her gift for invention and respect for facts . . . [it is] written in the polite but colloquial language of the frontier sketching in Audubon’s biographical background and recording events of the journey as they might have been observed by a serious, very perceptive 13- year-old.” One of her best-selling titles was Wagon Wheels (published in 1978), which deals with the trials and tribulations of a close-knit African American family. This true to life story is “exciting and realistic” according to Gisela Jernigan (writing in the children literature journal Booklist), and was named a 1978 American Library Association Notable Book.
Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s Brenner continued to publish, many of her works being influenced by the careers and interests of her sons. Speaking to Contemporary Authors Online Brenner explains that as their sons are both grown, and their respective careers as a “biologist . . . and musician” have both had an influence on her writing (i.e. Dinosaurium 1993). In 1986, Brenner was honored with the Pennsylvania School Librarians’ Association’s Outstanding Pennsylvania Author Award. Brenner’s most celebrated book is a collection entitled Voices: Poetry and Art from around the World, for which she was chief editor. This book received an ALA Notable Book for Children mention and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults award. According to the Horn Book Guide from Spring 2001, “more than three hundred and fifty poems from six continents evoke the specific and the universal” with contributions from both “celebrated and unknown poets, Nobel prize winners, and children” allowing the book to demonstrate Brenner’s skill in celebrating “place” and the “shared feelings” of the people about whom the book is written.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 17, 2017
picked for read harder: a book of poetry in translation on a theme other than love. well, some of it was in translation and most of it wasn't about romantic love so I say it counts. clearly aimed at younger readers, it has a 90s vibe but was published in 2000, some of the footnotes are gross simplifications. I just don't like poetry very much. I probably could have looked harder for something I'd like more but it was my last challenge item and I just wanted it done.
May 1, 2008
A large format collection of traditional, historical, and contemporary poems organized into six sections, according to their place of origin. The pages are beautifully illustrated with paintings and with photographs of sculptures and other works of art, both fine and folk. The poems are short – many are coherent excerpts from longer pieces – and are presented with plenty of white space and some explanatory notes in a lighter type. Topics vary widely, as do the mood and style of the pieces, but all have been well-selected to be accessible and interesting to older children. The attractive design and illustrations will draw them in, where they will find much to enjoy and engage their interest. Gr. 5 and up.
(SLJ) A remarkably visual collection of world poetry, reminding readers of their humanity, their oneness as people, and their delight in the unexpected beauty of nature.
(Booklist) Many of the selections are compelling, beautiful in their particulars and universal in their reach.
(SLJ) A remarkably visual collection of world poetry, reminding readers of their humanity, their oneness as people, and their delight in the unexpected beauty of nature.
(Booklist) Many of the selections are compelling, beautiful in their particulars and universal in their reach.
November 23, 2008
CIP:Gr 5 Up-A remarkably visual collection of world poetry, reminding readers of their humanity, their oneness as people, and their delight in the unexpected beauty of nature. Breathtaking photographs introduce six sections based on the continents; within each one is an array of poems featuring a diversity of topics, styles, age appeal, and traditions. Brenner has masterfully selected poems that come from the past-including the Bible, Aboriginal songs, Aesop, nursery rhymes, haiku, and chants-as well as the work of present-day writers and poets such as Jean Little (Canada), Sheenagh Pugh (Wales), and Rutger Kopland (Netherlands). Each double-page spread is magnificently enhanced by dramatic visual images from ancient sculptures and carvings to modern ceramics and embroideries.
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October 7, 2013The photos and images captured in this book are astounding. Intuit and Navajo voices join Galway Kinnell as they talk about North America. Each major continent is covered in these pages. The poems range as much as the topics covered: frees verse, rhymed, metered verse. An oil on canvas, done by Max Beckmann in 1949 (“The Beginning”) is a perfect adornment for Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem: Childhood Dreams. In the section covering the Asian continent, the Epic of Gilgamesh rests next to one stanza (taken from the 1000 line Rubaiyat). Students will enjoy the colorful photos and art on each page, enjoy the shortness of the poems, and maybe even gain a sense of other cultures!
March 28, 2012
Most of the poetry very lyrical and easy to understand. One doesn't have to rack one's brain to try to figure out what the poem is talking about. Very good photos of paintings and ancient sculptures, folk art, clothing, etc.
December 11, 2014
This is a very neat book. Let's you discover different kinds of poetry and art from around the world. There are many different styles of poems and art that really give you a look into another culture. Would definitely recommend to someone who is interested in art and history.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews