Take Two!: A Celebration of Twins [Hardcover]

J. Patrick Lewis (Author), Jane Yolen (Author), Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: March 13, 2012 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Know some twins, or expecting to? This twinspired collection pairs poems and pictures in a lighthearted salute to the many twins among us.

Old twins, new twins, famous twins, not-at-all-alike twins, side-byside twins, let's play twins, not-yet twins, mirror twins — all kinds of twins! — come together in a collection of original poems by two of our most celebrated authors for young people: J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen. From a wave and a wink to a twin switcheroo, from a rocket to the moon to the old woman who lived in a shoe, these poems and mini facts, whimsically illustrated by Sophie Blackall, will leave even singletons with a twinkle in their eyes. Here is the perfect book to share with the twins in your life — and everyone who loves them.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Although this handsome offering has the look of a picture book, both the poems and sly art are better suited for middle-graders, and if they happen to be twins, so much the better. Lewis, the Children’s Poet Laureate, and prolific Yolen present more than 40 poems dedicated to the ups and downs, pros and cons, of being a “womb mate” (as one poem is titled). Like most poetry books, this has its share of clever verse and other poems that fall flat. Repetition of sentiment is also a bit of a problem here. There may be only so many ways to say we are part of each other—or perhaps the number of poems should have been culled. But when the poetry is good, it’s very good, and in some cases, hilarious or touching, as in “Mirror Twin”: I wave, you wave. / I smile, you laugh. / I wink, you blink. You leave—I’m half.” Heavily illustrated with full-page and spot art from the always delightful Blackall, this looks like much thought has been put into the design. A charmer. Grades 3-6. --Ilene Cooper

Review

We are not supposed to judge a book by its cover. But in this case, let’s do just that. The cover of the new poetry collection TAKE TWO!, with its twin toddlers bending upside down, polka-dotted tushies in the air, is quite possibly the cutest one to have crossed my desk in the run-up to spring. And since spring is baby season, at least for much of the animal kingdom, it seems an appropriate moment for this "Celebration of Twins" as the authors — J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen, both accomplished poets — subtitle it…With its cheerily sweet and inventively varied illustrations by Sophie Blackall, TAKE TWO! has both a contemporary and a pleasingly timeless feel.
—The New York Times

This playful collection of twin-themed poems, a welcome addition to the bookshelf on the subject of twins, is as much for parents as for kids.
—Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 72 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; First Edition edition (March 13, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763637025
• ISBN-13: 978-0763637026
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 0.6 x 10.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Humorous
  • #68 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Family Life > New Baby

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute and clever poetry April 8, 2012

By S. Heisner

Amazon Verified Purchase

What a perfect book to send to my niece who is expecting twins! She will identify with the first set of poems about waiting for their birth. Her twins will enjoy the rest of the poetry and "twin facts" as they grow up. This is a book for all twins, children and adults alike, and I enjoyed reading it, thinking about the twins I know.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Such Fun! September 21, 2012

By Laura N Jesseph

As a mother of twins it is always hard to strike the balance between celebrating twinship and individuality - this wonderful book had some fantastic new words that fit perfectly - twindividuals and twindependent ( there are more too). My identical girls are getting a bit older and love to read, and this book gave them permission to celebrate the things they feel, and a let me enjoy a little bit of what makes them special to our family. LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars a merriement of twins from womb through school-age September 3, 2012

By Deborah Sandford

Parents and other lovers of twins can't get enough `twin stuff' and here is something nice to add to the collection. Much more than a picture book for youngsters, there are three chapters that celebrate different stages in twins' lives and one on famous twins, seventy poems in all. Short sidebars spout interesting Twin Facts. The illustrations are convivial and complement this large format book nicely: they are not overpowering. Some of the poems are very creative, and some are... not. A splendid addition to a library collection, and a must for any household with twins.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Double trouble April 3, 2013

By Ruthie

Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is wonderful gift for twins. Very entertaining. It contains unique items for twins and is fun to read together.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book February 6, 2013

By Karen Starr

Amazon Verified Purchase

My daughter is the mother of 2 year old twin girls. She absolutely loves this book. It came in mint condition and was packed very well. The pictures and text are absolutely delightful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great book for kids and adults January 3, 2013

By Bonnie Del Preto

Amazon Verified Purchase

There are great little facts on the bottom of the pages about twins.....things you never thought they tracked about the tallest twins ever, oldest, etc. I bought this for my nieces twins per her request but found the twin facts so interesting that I read the whole book before I gave it to them. If you know twins, it's a great gift.

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable June 13, 2013

By Mary Girard

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought it as a gift for friends who are having twins. They loved it! Can't wait to meet the pair!