Classic is no joke: The Children's Classic Poetry Collection
Written: Jun 27 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: beautifully illustrated, unique selection of work, lots of delightful alliteration
Cons: poetry is probably too advanced for most little 'uns
The Bottom Line: Beautiful poetry by the masters, but not for the under 6 crowd.
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| robinmichele's Full Review: The Children's Classic Poetry Collection Books |
At first glance, this would appear to be a book for the younger reader. Maybe the next step above Mother Goose? Um, no. However, this is a wonderful introduction to more advanced poetry. Younger ones might enjoy the sound of the words. But they probably won't get it. But that's ok. This would be a great bedtime story for children who can read, but who are not too advanced in their reading, yet. Go ahead, mom or dad, they aren't too old to be read to, are they? Snuggle up and enjoy the sound of your own voice. This book will create a wonderful familiarity with verse. The poems are exquisite.
Animals and Birds
The first section deals with our furry and feathered friends. Classic poems such as "The Owl and the Pussycat", Carroll's "Jabberwocky", and "How doth the Little Crocodile", William Blake's "Augeries of Innocence", wait a minute! What is that doing here? Come on, Nicola! Don't you think that might be a little advanced? Well, if your child digs Alfred, Lord Tennyson, this is the book for you. Not to say that it isn't fantastic poetry, but it is a stretch for me, let alone some unsuspecting parent and child trying to get the most from a bedtime story! Gentle readers, consider yourselves warned. In short, this chapter shares a broad view of the animal kingdom. Thematically, it touches on respect for life in all forms, the wonders of nature, and fantasy.
Onward.
Weather and Seasons
This editor seems particularly fond of Christina Rosetti. This chapter features Rosetti's "Rainbow", as well as "The Wind". We have Robert Louis Stevenson's "Windy Nights" and reflections on the weather by Shakespeare, Blake, Keats, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Emily Bronte, and Robert Browning. Never let it be said that this isn't quality stuff. Thematically, we are wandering in pretty much the same fields as with the animal chapter. Respect nature. We also have a touch of the passing of time, with allusions to the passing of mortal life.
Bright and Beautiful
This seems to be poems about nature that wouldn't fit in with the previous two chapters. More familiar names, Hello Mr. Shakespeare! Stevenson, Blake, Alfred, Lord Tennyson...
Dreams and Wonders
Tell the truth. You have always wanted to read "Kubla Khan" by Coleridge to your child. They have been begging you to bring it home from the library, haven't they? Give in. It can't hurt. These poems are a tad longer and often involve elaborate stories. Fuel for the imagination. Excellent stuff.
Songs of the Sea
In these poems, the illustrations seem to have more to do with the sea than the actual poems. Nevertheless, we have the obligatory Emily Dickinson, more Shakespeare, and Walt Whitman's "O Captain! My Captain!" You should be very afraid
Tales of Travel
Okay, I remember hitting "Ozymandias" in my freshman AP English class. I didn't like it then, and I really don't like it now. I'm biased, I admit it. We have Poe's "Eldorado". What more could you want?
Childhood
Perhaps by nature of the chapter, these poems are more accessible. "Little Orphan Annie", "Monday's Child", etc. Not particularly stirring poetry, but hey! It's not Dickinson.
At the End of the Day
This chapter is what you would expect from a child's poetry book. "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" as well as many other classic sleepy poems. Very nice before bedtime. Visions of sugarplums and all that jazz.
In the end of the book, there is an abbreviated biography of the major poets discussed. Basically 3 lines that tell where the poet came from. By no means complete or satisfying in its explanation. But I'm kind of a tough sell on that kind of thing.
The illustrations are just lovely. Thank you very much Ms. Cathie Shuttleworth. They capture the fantastic elements of the poetry quite well. The colors are mostly pastel based, but are very vivid and eye-catching. Shuttleworth zooms right in on the most lively bits, really making the collection come alive.
In closing, this would have been an excellent book for me when I was 7 or 8. But I read everything i could get my grubby little hands on at that point. If you have a bookworm in the making, go ahead and invest in this book. It might be a stretch at first, but it is not impossible stuff. Or if you are an adult who likes reading books with childish illustrations, go ahead, caress your inner child. It's ok.
Recommended:
Yes
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robinmichele
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Location: Medina, OH
Reviews written: 116
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Beauty is as beauty does. Didn't you know?
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