Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening [Hardcover]

Robert Frost (Author), Susan Jeffers (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 24, 2001 | Age Range: 4 and up

Ever since it was published in 1978, the picture-book presentation of Robert Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" has been an enduring favorite. For this special edition with a new design, trim size, and three new spreads, Susan Jeffers has added more detail and subtle color to her sweeping backgrounds of frosty New England scenes. There are more animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his "promises to keep" exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter. The handsome new vellum jacket will attract new and old fans as it evokes a frost-covered windowpane. This celebration of a season makes an ideal holiday gift for a child, a teacher, or a host.

Robert Frost (1874-1963) is one of America's most celebrated poets and a four-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

Susan Jeffers is the illustrator of such distinguished picture books as Three Jovial Huntsmen, a Caldecott Honor Book; Rachel Field's Hitty; and the ABBY Award-winning Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, which was also a New York Times best-seller.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Robert Frost's well-known poem takes on new life in its first picture-book adaptation. The poem--long appreciated for its strong rhythm and evocative images--leaves readers wondering, "Where was the man going on the darkest night of the year?" and "Why on earth did he stop by the woods in a snowstorm?" Artist Susan Jeffers answers these questions visually--the kindly older gentleman who narrates the poem stops his sleigh to feed the forest birds and creatures. He stops once more to visit his daughter and grandchildren, then is off again through a blizzard, with many miles to go before he can sleep. The silent beauty of a snowy night shines through Jeffers's artwork; the man's clothing and blanket are the only bright touches of color in the white and wintry world of the woods. This quiet yet powerful book has a magic all its own. (Ages 4 to 7) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Robert Frost's Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening with Susan Jeffers's 1978 illustrations plays up a festive family atmosphere. Jeffers warms the snowy b&w scenes by accenting coats, blankets and birds with muted colors. A frosty vellum cover evokes a wintry feel.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; rep. edition (September 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525467343
• ISBN-13: 978-0525467342
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Weather
  • #88 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > American

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars New Edition is SMALLER Format October 1, 2001

By Carol Scott Zimmerman

Format:Hardcover

The poem is great, as always. However, I'm disappointed in the changes to the Susan Jeffers illustrations. In the original version of the book, 8.5 x 11" (approx),the illustrations are finer, more deilicate. In the new, smaller format (7 x 8.5"), the lines are cruder, fuzzier, and someone has added a lot more color. It detracts from the lovely, icy, wind-blown quality of the original art. In my local bookstore, they are not even able to order a copy in the original format. It's a shame. I don't know why the publisher has decided to mangle a beautiful book. I've bought and given as gifts numerous copies of the original version. I won't buy the "new" version.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gift of Poetry & Beauty July 20, 2002

By booknblueslady

Format:Hardcover

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening is Susan Jeffers' illustrated book of the Robert Frost poem. It is a beautifully illustrated book which can be enjoyed by the parent as a child sits snugly on their lap.

I think it is a book that shows a great deal of respect. It respects the intelligence of the child by introducing beautiful "adult" poetry to the young. Simultaneously it is respectful of the adult reader allowing them to read something which is jointly appealing. This is ideally how an illustrated book should be. It should have appeal to both the reader and the listener and this book is a perfect example of that.

Susan Jeffers illustrations are exquisite. She captures the quiet beauty of the woods on a snowy evening. Animals peak from behind trees and bushes watching the man and his sleigh. There is plenty to be observed by child and parent while reading this book . It will be a thrill to find and name the animals while reading the book. Every page is a work of art.

The illustrations also work to tell a story within a story providing possible explanations for why the man is in the woods on that particular evening. Children will have some fun seeing the kinds of this this old gentleman does when no one is watching.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening is a wonderful wintertime book, but will make an excellent read in any season. What a wonderful gift for an adult to make for a child, a gift of poetry and beauty.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Way to Treat Your Children to Robert Frost December 7, 2001

By Terrie

Format:Hardcover

Please read the poem to your children out loud if they're old enough to follow it. Allow them the intense pleasure of visualizing the scene on their own before sharing another person's visualization with them. By all means, share this book, a beautiful, atmospheric slice of winter with them. Susan Jeffers has done such a splendid job on the illustrations. They are a hushed, crunchy-cold excursion into the dark solstice night in the deep woods. The only bits of color come from the living beings, the colorful man and his grandchildren and the shy forest animals he comes to feed. The stark, snow covered tree branches are illuminated to perfection and the big feathery snowflakes float down about you as you read. My favorite picture is the second to last one but I won't spoil it by telling you about it, except to say, see if it doesn't perfectly capture the reality you remember. This is a lovely book in and of itself, regardless of others that may have come before. Enjoy!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply beautiful... April 21, 2005

By K. L Sadler VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This particular poem is my favorite Robert Frost poem, and is one of my top five favorite poems. I was hoping that this book would portray the simple beauty and nuances of this poem, to read to my granddaughter. It more than met my expectations. Even my husband, who is a photographer and who doesn't read as much as I do, found the artwork in this book to convey beautifully the words of Frost's poem.

This poem was not intended for children, and has many facets to it. But good poetry must be taught and appreciated early, and this book will help parents and teachers to show appreciation for poetry. If it doesn't start with the parents and teachers, then the children are never exposed to it.

Whenever I read this poem, and now this book, it conveys a sense of peace, a sense of being quiet, of learning to look for the beauty in the world around you. This should be a classic.

Karen Sadler

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Elegance, and still a joy of a kids' book August 11, 2000

By I. Westray

Format:Hardcover

This and Graeme Base's Jabberwocky are my two favorite adaptations of poetry for young children. Both are elegant and still plenty of fun. Either one would be the ideal gift for a distant grandchild, if that's why you're on Amazon poking around.

Susan Jeffers' illustrations are shot through with winter light on snow, just a relief to look at. They're also full of pleasant little hidden treasures for the squirmy set. She uses details to recast the darker side of the poem, maybe, because this is a children's title. For example, the narrator's carrying a tree in his sled, to be planted: one of the promises to keep. (Note to illustrator: In the winter, the ground is typically frozen.)

Reading this aloud to children is a gratifying experience. Give yourself that tear in your eye.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous, captivating December 17, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This gorgeously illustrated book with the classic Frost poem is a beautiful way to share poetry with children. When kids get older they can be introduced to deeper ideas behind the poem -- this book is a wonderful introduction to the poem, and Frost's work in general. Poetry-snobs will probably look down on this book, which is all the more reason to like it, buy it, and share it with every kid around.