Customer Reviews

The Golden Books Family Treasury of Poetry

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I grew up with the original edition of this book, and so was deligted when I saw that it had been re-issued. However, I was dissapointed with the new version. As I see it, there are several problems. The first relates to Leonard Marcus' new introduction--which ironically seems perjorative in places towards Untermeyers' original efforts. Secondly, the editors have removed several poems in the interests of political correctness. Lastly, the slick paper coupled with the darker printing has compromised the Joan Augland art. I will give this to my daughter, and keep looking on ebay for the original.

I was given this book at age 7 or 8: one of my first "big kid "books that wasn't a hand-me down from my sisters. No one had to make me read poetry,after that!I adore the illustrations; they just seem so perfect for each poem! There are dozens I can still recite from memory.
When my son was 4, I got the book out of storage and read him, "The Highwayman"- and he was hooked! We rode with Paul Revere and asked each other: "I'm nobody! Who are you?" When my daughter found an abandoned nest of baby birds and we knew they would die- we read "Four Little Foxes" and grieved together, and later laughed over "The Owl Critic." These poems and drawings are like old friends to us all.
After all these years, it's rather the Velveteen rabbit of the bookshelf: pages dog-eared and falling out from years of use. I am ordering a new copy for my daughter's 12th birthday (don't pay attention to the age range listed for the book) so she'll have a copy to pass on to her children. It's just a wonderful selection of all types of poems, sure to please the children AND the adults who read to them! Start tonight!

I am so happy that they have reissued this book! I have waited for years hoping that they would. I received this book as a child and read it so much that it fell apart. I am going to buy each of my own children one and one for my favorite nieces and nephews. Poems of naughty and nice children, tongue twisting limericks, poems for every month and season are all included. If you need a sample of any great American poet look no further than this book. I am someone who loves to read and when people ask me about my favorite book this book is the winner no matter how old I get.

This is a wonderful anthology, but while Amazon's notes indicate an age appropriate level of 4-8, it is much more appropriate for adolescents. The humor, the epic poems, the vingettes of life are a great introduction to poetry for young people. Paul Revere's Ride, for example, is best read by upper elementary or middle school students who know some Colonial History.

Incredible book of poetry for children and adults alike. Timeless selections. Many will remind you of your own childhood. This collection should be required reading in all schools. Also, the illustrations are most memorable and will capture young imaginations. I'm so glad to have rediscovered this book after over 3 decades!

I have been looking for another copy of this book for years - my old original has literally fallen apart from use. Most of the poems here are old friends. Introduce young people to Custard the Dragon, and the accessible parts of Shakespeare, and The Highwayman, and Kipling and ..... well, you get the picture. I'll be buying copies for myself (I'm considerably older than 8!), and for my nieces, and god daughter. O frabjous day!

I have been looking for this book for years. When my house burned down my copy was saved, but without the cover and first few pages. I didn't remember the title and am so excited that I finally found it. This is a must read for anyone of any age. Reading it brings back so many wonderful memories. My boys' favorites are Wynken Blynken and Nod and the tale of Custard the Dragon. I highly recommend this to any one.

This book is an excellent book of poetry for all ages, but especially for children ages 9 to 15. I had the original version of this book when I was a child, and I absolutely loved it. I must say that the original version of the book, The Golden Treasury of Poetry (copyright 1959), is better, because the illustrations are printed in blue, brown and green rather than just the black of the newer version. Also, the pages of the original are heavier, and the original includes about five poems which should not have been removed in the newer version. However, if the original is not available, I would buy this new version in a heartbeat. It is a wonderful introduction to classic poetry.

This was a Christmas gift from my mother when my children were small. We wore out the book and it has been taped together lovingly to read now to my grandchildren. This is one of my favorites from the book.

The Chickens

Said the first little chicken,
With a strange little squirm,
"I wish I could find
A fat little worm."

Said the next little chicken,
With an odd little shrug:
"I wish I could find
A fat little bug."

Said a third little chicken,
With a small sigh of grief,
"I wish I could find
A green little leaf!"

Said the fourth little chicken,
With a faint little moan,
"I wish I could find
A wee gravel stone."

"Now, see here!" said the mother,
From the green garden patch,
"If you want any breakfast,
Just come here and scratch!"

This book originally came out back in the 1950's and my mother used to read it to me every night since I was an infant (that was nearly four decades ago). This is the book that got me to love reading. I recently bought a number of copies for friends and family who just had children and there is only one minor change from the older editions: five poems were removed because today they would be considered quite racist. But the tone of the book and the illustrations are superb! Untermeyer (editor) did a wonderful job of collecting funny, witty, deep, and profoundly moving series of poems that will appeal to anyone. Among my favorites are: "The Owl and the Pussycat", "Winken, Blinken, and Nod", "Father William", and "Little George."

This book is a must for children. I cannot say enough about it. Just buy it and keep a few extra copies on hand to give away. You will not regret it!