Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry [Hardcover]

Jane Yolen (Compiler), Andrew Fusek Peters (Compiler), Polly Dunbar (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

This exuberant celebration of poetry is an essential book for every young one’s library and a georgeous gift to be both shared and treasured.

Sit back and savor a superb collection of more than sixty poems by a wide range of talented writers, from Margaret Wise Brown to Gertrude Stein, Langston Hughes to A. A. Milne. Greeting the morning, enjoying the adventures of the day, cuddling up to a cozy bedtime — these are poems that highlight the moments of a toddler’s world from dawn to dusk. Carefully gathered by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters and delightfully illustrated by Polly Dunbar, HERE'S A LITTLE POEM offers a comprehensive introduction to some remarkable poets, even as it captures a very young child’s intense delight in the experiences and rituals of every new day.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-K—Many collections of poems that purport to be for very young children are actually for primary graders. This oversize book really is for preschoolers. The poems, one per page, are arranged in four categories that encompass child's a world: "Me, Myself, and I," "Who Lives in My House?," "I Go Outside," and "Time for Bed." The poetry is witty, intelligent, and well crafted, and perfect for the target audience. The list of contributors reads like a who's who of children's poetry—Margaret Wise Brown, Nikki Grimes, Aileen Fisher, Jack Prelutsky, and others. Almost all of the selections have appeared in print before. Most of them are only a few lines long, and are printed in large informal type in a variety of colors that match the illustrations. The art was created using a wide range of mediums and techniques, and Dunbar blends them seamlessly to create charming images that are amazingly expressive. The children in them are carefree and happy and the book as a whole suggests a world that is safe and secure. Here's a Little Poem is a great way to introduce the youngest listeners to the genre.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* With lots of hugs and kisses, as well as messy nonsense and uproarious action, this big, spacious anthology of more than 60 poems is a wonderful first book to read with babies and toddlers over and over again. As with nursery rhymes, the sounds of the words are a big part of the fun ("Oh soggy greens, I hate you / I hate your sloppy slush"), and so are the movements from dawn to bedtime, as in "Getting Dressed" ("You've one trouser leg / And two legs in it"). The clear, active, mixed-media illustrations show very young children outdoors and in; morning to bedtime; loving, teary, absurd, furious. The intense scenarios range from tantrums ("No! No! No! To everything!") and jealousy about the new baby ("What's she want another one for?") to slurpy kisses and lullabies. Many of the best children's poets are included, from Rosemary Wells and Mary Ann Hoberman to Jack Prelutsky; and there are adult poets too--Langston Hughes, Gertrude Stein, and more. Unlike in Mother Goose, the slapstick here is always child-centered, from "Mud, mud, glorious mud" to the unforgettable parody "Happy Birthday to you / Squashed tomatoes and stew." Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (February 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763631418
• ISBN-13: 978-0763631413
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 0.6 x 11.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful surprise!, March 30, 2007

By 

B. Greene (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry (Hardcover)

This book was a gift to us. The first poetry book we've ever had. My 3-year old absolutely loves it. She can sit still and listen to it longer than any other book and she often remembers the poems and tries to say them back to me during the day. It really sticks with her. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and charming and totally add to the experience. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with kids of any age - it makes a great gift. I'm certainly glad we received it. I'm going to get it for all my mom-friends.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Book, July 22, 2007

By 

Marilyn Sokolowski (Clarkston MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry (Hardcover)

After reading a great review in the Detroit Free Press, I decided to purchase "Here's a Little Poem" as a gift for my nephew's newborn. When I received the book and read through it, I was reluctant to give it away so I ordered three more - one for me to treasure and two to have on hand for gifts.

The poems are written by various authors but have one common element - they are all short, most being 2 or 3 verses, and every one makes me smile.

There are some classic authors included (Robert Louis Stevenson and Margaret Wise Brown) but most I was not familiar with.

And ah, the illustrations! They are colorful, whimsical and joyous.

I believe that all children will love this collection. It is a perfect introduction to poetry and may well become a child's favorite book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to kids poetry, December 4, 2007

By 

Clio A. (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry (Hardcover)

A wonderful, easy intro to children's poetry that will have parents enjoying it also. Great illustrations, too.