The Earth Is Painted Green: A Garden of Poems About Our Planet (Paperback)

~ Barbara Brenner (Author, Editor), S. D. Schindler (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This "garden" of verse yields a bouquet of delights. Schindler ( Great-aunt Ida and Her Great Dane, Doc ), noted for his quirky depictions of animals and people, outdoes himself with his attentive renderings of insects and plants. Tulips and gingko leaves, poppies and pine trees, wintry maples and spring violets blossom in exquisite watercolors. Brenner groups her selections in eight parts--from "Earth Green" (poems about the "magic and power of Earth's green things") to "Forever Green" (poems about the "perils to our environment")--each with a short introduction. Poems vary in tone and topics from a haunting Paiute chant about the coming of spring to Roy Blount Jr.'s two-line joke about broccoli (which the grocer is out of, "Loccoli"). In addition to easily anticipated choices from such poets as Eve Merriam, Jack Prelutsky, Myra Cohn Livingston and X. J. Kennedy, Brenner includes a host of newcomers, a work translated from the Serbo-Croatian and little-anthologized treasures from Carl Sandburg, Vachel Lindsay and Ted Hughes. Both editor and illustrator help the reader "enter in / To the small silences between / The leaves" and discover in the poetry of many cultures the "beautiful and generous green Earth." All ages.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-It's not easy being green, but books that foster greater respect for and awareness of our world can make it a little less difficult. This garden of poetry celebrates the subtle and vibrant joy that can be found in every leaf, fruit, and vine. From masters such as Ciardi, McCord, Sandburg, and Merriam (and a host of others) come over 90 poems. Divided into nine sections, the verses bespeak the changing seasons, from the first buds of spring, to planting and harvesting time, to prayers of hope to keep the Earth "forever green." Short, playful poems weave with longer, reflective odes expounding on the billowy whites of winter to the choke of murky pollution. Many of the selections rhyme; others speak softly in free verse, including several delicate Native American anthems. Lush watercolors, several of which span double-page spreads, greatly enhance the gentle realization of our natural treasures. A bordered and illustrated table of contents and index (title, author, first lines) bring the book full circle, making it a complete and accessible work. A likely companion to The Big Book for Our Planet (Dutton, 1993).
Sharon Korbeck, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 81 pages
• Publisher: Byron Preiss Publications (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590451359
• ISBN-13: 978-0590451352
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,128,132 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Children and our planet - Barbara Brenner's garden poems, April 4, 2000

By A Customer

Barbara Brenner's The Earth is Painted Green, a book of poemsfor young readers (4-8,)conveys a sense of specialness about our earthfor all children. Children love poems and the beauty of these poems helps children to appreciate their world and to create in them a desire to protect it. The bright and colorful illustrations by S.D. Schindler, show depth and detail, space and a place for children to frolic in and to enjoy. The book is multi-cultural, English language, in it's approach.