Classic Poetry: An Illustrated Collection [Hardcover]

Michael Rosen (Editor), Paul Howard (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

An ideal gift book for children and adults, this beautiful keepsake volume is the essential collection of classic poetry.

Poetry provides the best introduction to the marvels of the English language. This volume, collected by award-winning author Michael Rosen, presents a glorious selection of classic poetry, chronologically arranged from the seventeenth century to modern day—poems by such celebrated poets as William Shakespeare, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Emily Dickinson, Carl Sandburg, and Langston Hughes— complete with biographical sketches of the poets, information on individual poems, and notes on poetic forms. Paul Howard's full-color illustrations illuminate some of the most brilliant poems of the English-speaking world with stunning breadth and beauty. A book to be treasured, Classic Poetry belongs on every shelf—every child should know these poems and keep this book with them as they grow.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In so many classic poetry selections, you'll find old favorites, but no information on the creators themselves. In Michael Rosen's hearty, well-designed, 160-page anthology--with strikingly diverse illustrations by the talented and chameleonic artist Paul Howard--readers will find a portrait and short biography of each poet accompanying his or her work. Not only that but the selections are arranged chronologically, from the 17th century to the modern day. William Shakespeare's "All the World's a Stage" from As You Like It begins the classic collection, then readers are introduced to William Blake, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Edward Lear, Emily Dickinson, Lewis Carroll, Langston Hughes, and many, many more. Poet, storyteller, broadcaster, and children's book author Rosen says of his treasury, "There are so many ways to enjoy poems. This book is a way of offering new insights into poems, poets, and the relationships between them. It also offers a springboard to children and adults wanting to find out more and explore the world of poetry." And illustrator Howard should take a bow for his successful efforts to explore different techniques and artwork styles that complement the moods and historical context of each poem so perfectly. We welcome the chance to revisit Lear's "The Jumblies," Longfellow's "Paul Revere's Ride," and other well-loved poems in such a beautiful package. (Ages 9 and older)

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up-Thirty-eight poets, from Shakespeare to Judith Wright, are represented in this handsome, chronological collection. Rosen's introduction defines classic poetry very broadly as "poems that have lasted for many years...many people have thought these poems say important things in an exciting and memorable way." Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, and Yeats keep company with Ella Wheeler Wilcox and Australia's Banjo Paterson ("Waltzing Matilda" and "Mulga Bill's Bicycle"). Several selections are by poets who are traditionally included in anthologies for children-Robert Louis Stevenson, Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, Walter de la Mare. Most of the pieces, however, will be most comprehensible to young adult and adult readers. A generous table of contents offers a complete overview of the anthology with small portraits and titles of the poems for each entry. Entries for each poet include a small portrait heading a sidebar of biographical information and soft paintings of variable size facing one to four poems. There are concluding notes for some of the poems, a page of definitions of poetry terms, and a title and first-line index. Somewhat eclectic in its selection, this collection is an inviting, durable introduction to a broad range of poetry.
Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (November 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564028909
• ISBN-13: 978-1564028907
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 0.8 x 11.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #304,128 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Literary Criticism & Collections

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant selection, December 5, 2002

By 

reader (vineyard haven) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic Poetry: An Illustrated Collection (Hardcover)

Wisely chosen and beautifully illustrated,this book shows how entertaining and exciting poetry can be. It instantly held the attention of my six year old. He wanted to write a thank you note to Lord Byron!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Poetry Anthology for Thoughtful Children, October 11, 2007

By 

Only Sometimes Clever "Karen Joy" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic Poetry: An Illustrated Collection (Hardcover)

This book is a children's collection of poetry. However, it appears that Michael Rosen has attempted to balance the chipper, happy poems of many children's anthologies with more intense, darker ones. The overall tone is fairly serious, though beautifully so. He combines such sweet verse as Skating by William Wordsworth, with more wistful or even death-filled ones, such as La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats.

The book is written chronologically, from Shakespeare and William Blake to Langston Hughes and Judith Wright. He includes from one to five poems from each of his 40 or so collected poets, with a short, thoughtful biography of each.

The book is strikingly illustrated by Paul Howard, who alters his style and technique for each poem, aptly evoking the feeling and time period of each poem.

I would consider this as a readaloud for children ages 8+; younger children are likely to be disturbed by some of the darker selections.

This book is more newly published in paperback as The Walker Book of Classic Poetry and Poets .

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book of classic poetry, July 30, 2011

By 

Sonya Lentini "momuv4boyz" (Littleton, CO, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Classic Poetry: An Illustrated Collection (Hardcover)

I first checked this book out at the library. I love how it has all of the great poets from the past. It also gives a little bio for each poet. I homeschool so when we study a poet I start with the Classic Poetry book then find other poems by the same poet so they get a pretty good taste of each poet's poetry. It is a big help to me knowing all of the names of the great classic poets and I think it has beautiful illustrations as well.