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You Come Too: Favorite Poems for Readers of All Ages

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I couldn't let April go without digging out this old favorite. This particular edition of Robert Frost's poetry--I mean, this particular one, with illustrations by Thomas W. Nason and in this particular format--is five years old, and you may have already come across it. If you haven't, I can't recommend it highly enough. Designed especially for young readers, the collection includes the most accessible of Frost's poetry, including the "You Come Too" of the title--which, as a phrase, seems one of the most magical and evocative in the language of childhood. Like Frost's work in general, many of the included poems nod knowingly at nature, and Thomas W. Nason's illustrations have a botanist's eye in their design and execution. This is perhaps my favorite book of poetry for older children.

I cracked open this book and dove into the rich collection of poems by Robert Frost and after a few moments, I literally felt the title hit me over the head.

"You Come Too" - an invitation.

That's what this book is like - both an invitation and a centerpiece. A collection of poems for all ages to use when they gather around for a Robert Frose read-along. You could gatehr your entire family, friends, neighbors, associates from work or clubs.... everyone of any age would enjoy these selections... from

"Fireflies in the Garden" to "The Rose Family" to the well beloved Frost classic, "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening."

My only wish is that there were more poems in it. Not bad, just wish it was a teensy bit more dense.

"You Come Too: Favorite Poems for Readers of All Ages" is a wonderful collection of Robert Frost's work. An interesting foreword by Noel Perrin discusses Frost's life and career. The book contains some poems which will surely be familiar to many readers--"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," "Mending Wall," etc. But that's just part of the treasures in this collection.

Overall, this collection shows Frost's concern with nature and rural life. Many different animals and plants are celebrated: ants, cows, birch trees, etc. Many of the poems have a beautiful musical quality, and the collection as a whole shows an interesting variety of meter and rhyme schemes.

I'll just mention a few of my favorite poems. "Acquainted with the Night" is a hauntingly melancholy sonnet. "A Patch of Old Snow" well demonstrates Frost's keen observing eye and way with figurative language. "The Rose Family" has a comic playfulness that I found quite Seussian. "Fireflies in the Garden" is a humorous short poem with an interesting AAA BBB rhyme scheme. Overall, an enjoyable and rewarding collection by an essential American poet.

If you're looking for an easy access poetry collection for the YA audience, this is an excellent choice. Nice and short & beautifully written.

If you're looking to expand your horizons into the world of poetry, this is an excellent place to start. A wonderful collection.