Water Music: Poems for Children [Paperback]

Jane Yolen (Author), Jason Stemple (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2004 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

The award-winning author of How Beastly! and Before the Storm celebrates the beauty, power, and wonder of water in all its diverse forms, in a collection of meditative poetry enhanced by full-color photographs.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up?Yolen notes that Stemple's stunning full-color photographs were the inspiration for these 17 poems on different aspects of water. Ocean surf, dew drops, soap bubbles, a river, waterfall, icicle, and reflections are among the subjects sensitively wrought in words and pictures. The colors are soft and shimmering, reflecting the mood of quiet contemplation evoked by the verses. The attractively designed layout features one poem and photo per two-page spread. A book that can be appreciated by a wide audience.?Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-5, younger for reading aloud. A mother and son combine their talents in a book that builds on the theme of water in its various forms. Stemple's photographs, which Yolen notes preceded the poetry, are imaginatively composed and crisply focused. Never merely attractive landscapes, they actively draw the reader's attention to the special qualities of water wherever it is found. Yolen's 17 poems (including haiku and concrete poetry) invite us to consider water's mysterious sounds, paths, and powers. Many are easy to understand, though a few require reflection, and one, "The Rock Cries Out," may puzzle younger children. Useful in a primary science unit and for inspiring children to attempt poetry of their own. Susan Dove Lempke --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Pr (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590782518
• ISBN-13: 978-1590782514
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 9.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #984,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born and raised in New York City, Jane Yolen now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. The distinguished author of more than 170 books, Jane Yolen is a person of many talents. When she is not writing, Yolen composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother. Active in several organizations, Yolen has been on the Board of Directors of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1986 to 1988, is on the editorial board of several magazines, and was a founding member of the Western New England Storytellers Guild, the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and the Bay State Writers Guild. For twenty years, she ran a monthly writer's workshop for new children's book authors. In 1980, when Yolen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, the citation recognized that "throughout her writing career she has remained true to her primary source of inspiration--folk culture." Folklore is the "perfect second skin," writes Yolen. "From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world." Folklore, she believes, is the universal human language, a language that children instinctively feel in their hearts. All of Yolen's stories and poems are somehow rooted in her sense of family and self. The Emperor and the Kite, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1983 for its intricate papercut illustrations by Ed Young, was based on Yolen's relationship with her late father, who was an international kite-flying champion. Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's exquisite watercolors, was inspired by her husband's interest in birding. Yolen's graceful rhythms and outrageous rhymes have been gathered in numerous collections. She has earned many awards over the years: the Regina Medal, the Kerlan Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Society of Children's Book Writers Award, the Mythopoetic Society's Aslan Award, the Christopher Medal, the Boy's Club Jr. Book Award, the Garden State Children's Book Award, the Daedalus Award, a number of Parents' Choice Magazine Awards, and many more. Her books and stories have been translated into Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Afrikaans, !Xhosa, Portuguese, and Braille. With a versatility that has led her to be called "America's Hans Christian Andersen," Yolen, the child of two writers, is a gifted and natural storyteller. Perhaps the best explanation for her outstanding accomplishments comes from Jane Yolen herself: "I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poems + Pics, June 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Water Music: Poems for Children (Hardcover)

This book is done in very similar format to Snow, Snow, also by Jason Stemple and Jane Yolen, although Snow, Snow holds together a little better due to the more constant nature of the pictures. However, this book is a little bit better geared for use in the classroom when discussing water, and its different forms.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Thought Provoking, July 28, 2004

By 

Jammie Marie Schulte "Jammie Marie Schulte" (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Water Music: Poems for Children (Paperback)

Reviewd by Robert Young, Lane ESD

For more reviews visit www.lane.k12.or.us/bookreview

Inspired by her son's photographs, Jane Yolen creates an interesting and thought-provoking series of poems about water in its many aspects. Her poems are rhythmic and fluently worded--grand examples for students of all ages. There is some variety in the types of poems included, but more would make this book even better. Most of the photographs are of a very high quality. This book has many examples of word usage as well as fluent writing, and it would be a good model for using pictures to inspire poetry.