The Random House Book of Poetry for Children [Hardcover]

Jack Prelutsky (Compiler), Arnold Lobel (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children was recognized upon its publication in 1983 as an invaluable collection--a modern classic--and it has not since been surpassed. Five hundred poems, selected by poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky, are divided into broad subject areas such as nature, seasons, living things, children, and home. The poems of Emily Dickinson, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, and Gwendolyn Brooks populate the book's pages, while Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, Ogden Nash, and Shel Silverstein ensure that the collection delights even the most reluctant readers of rhyme. Playground chants, anonymous rhymes, scary poems, silly verse, and even some sad strains are carefully indexed by title, author, first line, and subject. With illustrations of cheerful, round-faced children and animals on every page, Arnold Lobel (a Caldecott medalist and creator of the Frog and Toad series) unifies the diverse poems to form a satisfying whole; Lobel can draw anything and make it funny--or poignant, if he chooses. This collection, one of the most varied and complete around, will carry any budding poetry lover through childhood and beyond. (Ages 5 to 11.)

Product Description

Illus. in color and full color. "A generous collection with a distinctly upbeat tone, this gives a taste of the best poets writing for children over the last several decades. Lobel's drawings imbue the whole with action and graphic images as inventive as the verse. Successfully geared to meet home, school, and library needs."--(starred) Booklist.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Random House; First Edition edition (September 12, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394850106
• ISBN-13: 978-0394850108
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #23,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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  Books > Children's Books > Literature > Poetry

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great breadth, but okay illustrations, March 21, 2000

By	"papierman" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children (Hardcover)

Jack Prelutsky has compiled another great anthology of children's poetry. This anthology basically covers the best children's poetry of all time (except for late 80s-90s poems). You'll find some Mother Goose and Lewis Carroll, thus expanding this anthology beyond the 20th century.

The only drawback (and reason why I didn't give the book 5 stars) is the illustrations. Most of the illustrations are traditional monochrome drawings. While they are well done, they are not as colorful or as imaginative as the illustrations in Prelutsky's "The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury."

Have fun reading.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars *LOVE* this book, November 22, 2002

By	nickunt (Nottingham, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children (Random House Book of ...) (Library Binding)

Wonderful, just wonderful, this collection of children's poetry sparkles and adds life and verve to any classroom. From the opening stanza of "The Boy What Done A Poo" and the haunting reworking of Goldstein's "Ahhh, I'm telling Miss of you" this anthology will thrill children of all ages, and grown ups too!
(I must point out, however, that the inclusion of controversial poet Sean Hickey's "Bang Bang You're Dead 50 Bullets In Your Head" might cause younger readers some concern).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book of Poetry for Children. The Benchmark, November 26, 2006

By	T. Carlsen - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children (Hardcover)

This outstanding collection of poems for children should be a part of every child's book collection. No other poetry collection is better. My children own several books of poetry, and I have reviewed several similar collections at the library and in book stores, and "The Random House Book of Poetry for Children" is the best of them all.

The poems are mostly silly and very entertaining. We sometimes like to take turns picking out poems to read at bedtime. Humorous children's poems help build creativity. I can think of nothing negative about this book.

Put this book in your cart and buy it. You will be happy that you did.