Description

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New York Times Bestseller!

In the tradition of Poetry Speaks, the anthology named a Best Book of 2002 by School Library Journal, and praised by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer as "a volume to delight longtime lovers of poetry and to spark new love for poetry, especially among the young," Sourcebooks MediaFusion is proud to introduce the joy of the written and spoken word in Poetry Speaks to Children.

Parents, educators, librarians, and poetry enthusiasts have wondered for years how to get children really interested in poetry. Until now, there hasn't been a collection of poems and poets that spoke directly to that elusive audience. Poetry Speaks to Children cracks through that barrier by packaging the best poems by the best authors along with a CD-making the engrossing and often mischievous verses come alive in the voices of many of the creators.

Poetry Speaks to Children reaches into the world of poetry and pulls out the elements children love: rhyme, rhythm, fun and, every once in a while, a little mischief.

More than 90 poems, for children ages six and up, celebrate the written word and feature a star-studded lineup of beloved poets, including: Roald Dahl; J. R. R. Tolkien; Robert Frost; Gwendolyn Brooks; Ogden Nash; John Ciardi; Langston Hughes; Sonia Sanchez; Seamus Heaney; Canada's best-loved children's poet, Dennis Lee; Rita Dove; Billy Collins; Nikki Giovanni and X. J. Kennedy.

On the accompanying CD, 50 of the poems are brought to life--most read by the poets themselves--allow the reader to hear the words as the poets intended.

Hear Gwendolyn Brooks growl her rhyming verse poem "The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves, or, What You Are You Are" with verve and inflection-relaying the story of the striped cat who "rushed to the jungle fair for something fine to wear," much to the hoots of his jungle peers. Amid jeers, sneers and sighs, the tiger eventually learns to be comfortable in his own striped skin (or fur as it were!).

Follow Ogden Nash as he tells of the brave little Isabel, who "didn't worry, didn't scream or scurry" when confronted with a ravenous bear, a one-eyed giant or a troublesome doctor. Her clever solutions to problems ("She turned the witch into milk and drank her") will keep even the most reluctant readers interested.

Listen to James Berry, who quells a little girl's anxieties about her color by celebrating the marriage of "night and light," emphasizing how all colors are necessary in nature, in "Okay, Brown Girl, Okay."

Turn the page and tune in . . . kids won't be the only ones hooked!

About the Author

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Elise Paschen is the editor of Poetry Speaks to Children and co-editor of Poetry Speaks, both New York Times bestsellers. She is the author of several acclaimed poetry collections of her own, including Bestiary and Infidelities, winner of the Nicholas Roerich Poetry Prize. Former Executive Director of the Poetry Society of America, she is the co-founder of Poetry in Motion, a nationwide program that places poetry in subways and buses, and co-editor of Poetry in Motion and Poetry in Motion from Coast to Coast.

Praise For…

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"This entertaining dip into many archival recordings will likely be a family treasure" — Publishers Weekly STARRED

"Beautifully illustrated... the accompanying CD is the real treat" — Family Circle

"...one of the most anticipated audio-poetry releases of the fall" — The Wall Street Journal

"...an excellent introduction to a whole lot of poetry, from Shakespeare to Nikki Giovanni, from Kipling to Naomi Shihab Nye. The poems are short and long, rhymed and not, famous and little-known. Every single one of them is appealing.... The accompanying CD is a wonder...Sure to please teachers, parents and children who might not yet know how much they need poetry, and how much they will love it." — Kirkus Reviews

"For density and pleasure on many levels, try this reading, seeing and hearing experience. Adults as well as children are the audience here." — The Chicago Tribune

" As a producer I get many books across my desk –Poetry Speaks to Children stood out from the rest. It is a fantastic book for kids! I have even read it to my little boy and he loves hearing the soothing poetry. The included CD is an added bonus to an otherwise delightful book. A must have for parents to introduce their kids to poetry." — Rick O'Connor, producer, "The Steve Cochrane Show" on WGN AM Chicago

"....humorous when required to be and affecting.... always eye-catching and appealing for its intended audience" — The Globe and Mail

"Poetry Speaks to Children would make a fabulous addition to any home school library." — Christian-parenting-source.com

"The book is so engaging that my students love reading and rereading the poems again and again." — Earlychildhoodliteraturereview.blogspot.com

"The artwork in this hardcover book is perfect, making the pages come alive and the poems visually appealing to children and adults alike. Whether you're listening to the CD in the car or snuggling on the couch during read-aloud time, Poetry Speaks to Children is sure to please." — Eclectichomeschool.org

"Poetry Speaks To Children is a beautifully illustrated, hard-back book and CD set. It spent ten weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. This delightful collection is full of significant poems from a variety of eras, and it's poetry that can be loved and appreciated by children. Not "children's poetry", necessarily, just poetry they will be able to follow. The editors did an outstanding job. Included is poetry from ee cummings, Emily Dickinson, William Shakespeare, W.B. Yeats, Edgar Allan Poe, Eugene Field...and many, many more. " — rocksinmydryer.typepad.com

"Poetry Speaks to Children is an indulgence for anyone to enjoy – parent or child, teacher or student. And not only is this wonderful collection put together in a beautiful book, but we get to hear 50 of the 95 poems read by their authors on the included audio CD." — 5minutesformom.com

"The publisher's introduction says it's strongly visual, full of storytelling, packed with sound (a CD is included, with 52 poems from 36 poets, many recorded for the first time), ageless, and a mix of classic poetry with some new ones - all correct." — John Mark Minitries