Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young

Poems about picnics, pretending, and puppies make this book the book to introduce little ones to poetry about the world around them. Jack Prelutsky, one of today's most respected children's poets, has selected more than 200 short poems--old favorites, traditional rhymes, and humorous verses--that will delight young listeners. The poems cover a wide range of experiences in a young child's life, from everyday events to special days to the world of the imagination. Marc Brown, author and illustrator of the popular Arthur series, uses colored-pencil illustrations and borders to unify the poems, helping to create a pleasing, lively collection to carry children from their preschool years into the early elementary grades. As Jim Trelease tells us in his introduction to the book, "Unlike the toys we buy our children, poems cannot break." (Ages 2 to 7) From Publishers Weekly More than 200 poems and rhymes have been assembled by Prelutsky in this large, satisfying volume. An obvious love for all things childlike is present in selections by Myra Cohn Livingston, Ogden Nash, A. A. Milne, Else Holmelund Minarik, Karen Gundersheimer, George MacDonald, Robert Louis Stevenson and many, many others. Brown's pictures spill over with robust children, woeful or willful animals, and not-very-scary monsterswearing sometimes sheepish, other times exuberant expressions. Page after page of winter rhymes, pet poems and bedtime fancieshere is a book that could inspire a lifetime love of the lilting tones of favorite poets. An introduction by Jim Trelease makes the case for reading aloud; one need go no further than this volume to be convinced. Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2 For this collection of over 200 poems, Prelutsky has selected and combined joyous, sensitive poems just as he did for older children in The Random House Book of Poetry for Children (Random, 1983). As with the previous anthology, this is no stale collection of copyright-free material. The poems included are by such traditional poets as Dorothy Aldis and A. A. Milne, as well as by more contemporary poets such as Karla Kuskin, Dennis Lee, and Prelutsky himself. All are lively, rhythmic poems that young children will enjoy. The freshness of the collection and the content of the poems make it more accessible than books such as A Very First Poetry Book (Oxford, 1984). Brown's bright pastel illustrations effectively use framing, action, and cheerful creatures to echo the light tone of the book. The poems are arranged with others of the same topic and include popular concerns of small children, such as animals, bath time, dragons, and play. Teachers and librarians will appreciate poems about seasons, months, holidays, and special events that can be easily incorporated into story hours and classroom life. An added bonus is Jim Trelease's delightful introduction urging adults to read poetry aloud to young children. Titles, authors, and first lines are indexed. Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, LaramieCopyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. “All truly easy to read aloud.”— The Horn Book Magazine “Bound to develop an appreciation for poetry at a very young age.”— School Library Journal “Parents will discover it is as much fun to read as it is for the little ones to hear.”— Chicago Tribune “Marc Brown’s pictures of children and animals, each lovingly depicted, convey the universal childhood exuberance found in each rhyme.”— Boston Sunday Globe A Horn Book Fanfare Honor BookA School Library Journal Best Book of the Year From the Inside Flap First published in 1986 and just as fresh and relevant today, this widely acclaimed, child-friendly poetry anthology is now being reissued with a striking new jacket. In his introduction to this book Jim Trelease, bestselling author of The Read-Aloud Handbook , writes, ?No one better recognizes the essence of the child-poetry connection than poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky. . . . Here are more than 200 little poems to feed little people with little attention spans to help both grow. Marc Brown?s inviting illustrations add a visual dimension to the poems, which further engage young imaginations.? The poems are by 119 of the best-known poets of the 20th century. First published in 1986 and just as fresh and relevant today, this widely acclaimed, child-friendly poetry anthology is now being reissued with a striking new jacket. In his introduction to this book Jim Trelease, bestselling author of "The Read-Aloud Handbook, writes, "No one better recognizes the essence of the child-poetry connection than poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky. . . . Here are more than 200 little poems to feed little people with little attention spans to help both grow. Marc Brown's inviting illustrations add a visual dimension to the poems, which further engage young imaginations." The poems are by 119 of the best-known poets of the 20th century. Jack Prelutsky was born in Brooklyn, New York.xa0xa0He attended New York City Public Schools and studied voice at the High School of Music and Art.xa0xa0He enrolled in Hunter College in Manhattan but left soon after "to become a beatnik".xa0xa0Jack has been a cab driver, a busboy, a photographer, a furniture mover, a potter, and a folk singer. He enjoys bicycling, playing racquetball, woodworking and cooking.xa0xa0He lives in Washington State with his wife Carolynn and a vast collection of poetry books and frogs in every shape, size, and form -- except living!xa0xa0There was a time when Jack couldn't stand poetry.xa0xa0In grade school he had a teacher who left him with the impression that poetry was the literary equivalent of liver.xa0xa0He rediscovered poetry in his twenties, and he decided that he would write about things that kids really cared about, and that he would strive to make poetry delightful. He has been writing poetry for more than twenty years and has published more than three dozen books for children. Read more