Synopses & Reviews
He was the greatest poet and playwright who ever lived, the dramatist who penned lines that we quote without even realizing their origin. Shakespeare's glorious works have even inspired animated films--like Disney's The Lion King. Introduce children to the Bard with this wonderful, fully annotated collection of sonnets and soliloquies, enhanced with beautiful, highly realistic color paintings that bring each excerpt to vivid life. Here are Shakespeare's most famous speeches: "To be or not to be" from Hamlet, with the melancholy Dane pictured in front of the castle, his face pensive and gazing into the distance; Portia's gentle plea for mercy in The Merchant of Venice; Macbeth's witches' cackling "Double, double, toil and trouble"; and Marc Antony's sarcastic address to "Friends, Romans, Countrymen," in Julius Caesar. A golden-robed Henry V, kneeling and bowed from the weight of the world, ponders how rulers must bear the burden of their subjects' needs. Mercutio, seen here in a bright red background as fiery and explosive as his personality, gently teases his lovesick friend Romeo. From the tender sonnets (Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?) to the humorous songs sung by his jesters in comedies such as Twelfth Night, every page contains pure verbal and visual magic.
"...the most delicate challenge in introducing poetry to children [is]...making all the necessary allowances for accessibility without completely throwing felicity and mystery to the winds. In this respect...it is particularly heartening to come upon...The Poetry for Young People Series [which] should be commended for recognizing that secure stepping stones hold infinitely more hope than forced marches."--Washington Post Book World.
Synopsis
This anthologyand#8212;now with a new cover and a fresh redesignand#8212;makes an especially gorgeous addition to the bestselling, critically acclaimed series. Two "Poetry for Young People" veterans have combined talents to create an absolutely charming collection, perfect for the classroom or to read aloud at home. With works by such poets as Shakespeare, Langston Hughes, e.e. cummings, and Nikki Giovanni, plus haikus for every season, it spans the year exquisitely.
Synopsis
and#147;Bolinand#8217;s four-page introduction describes and explains Emily Dickinsonand#8217;s odd lifestyle and creative productivity...prettily colored watercolors.and#8221;and#151;School Library Journal
and#160;and#147;Footnotes glossing antiquated diction are well-handled.and#8221;and#151;Washington Post
Synopsis
Features more than 35 of Dickinsonand#39;s best loved poems, including andquot;Iand#39;m nobody, who are you?andquot; and andquot;I started early, took my dog.andquot; andquot;The choice of...Emily Dickinson is a good one....Chi Chungand#39;s illustrations...are precise and sometimes whimsical....Attractive and inviting....will give young readers something special.andquot;--Quill and Quire. andquot;Bolinand#39;s four-page introduction describes and explains Emily Dickinsonand#39;s odd life style and creative productivity....prettily colored watercolors.andquot;--LJ. andquot;...footnotes glossing antiquated diction are well-handled and the precis on Dickinsonand#39;s church-hymnal metric is a model of its kind.andquot;--Washington Post. andquot;. . . shot through with magical charm and graceful beauty . . .andquot;--Buzz Weekly. 48 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.
Synopsis
and#147;Spacious format; a wide variety of poems; and colorful, interpretive illustrations.and#8221;and#151;School Library Journal. and#147;The format is admirable: a handsome sampler of poems, with a short introductory essay, unfamiliar words briefly defined in footnotes, and a few prefatory sentences for each poem to establish context and aid interpretation. Thirteen of Poeand#8217;s more accessible poems appear here, including and#145;The Raven,and#8217; and#145;The Bells,and#8217; and#145;Eldorado,and#8217; and and#145;Annabel Lee.and#8217; and#8221;and#151;Kirkus Reviews.
Synopsis
"Gr. 5 Up...spacious format; a wide variety of poems; and colorful, interpretive illustrations...."--SLJ. "The format is admirable: a handsome sampler of poems, with a short introductory essay, unfamiliar words briefly defined in footnotes, and a few prefatory sentences for each poem to establish context and aid interpretation. 13 of Poe's more accessible poems appear here, including The Raven,' The Bells,' Eldorado,' and Annabel Lee.'...concludes with passages from short stories that highlight Poe's mastery of prose....Cobleigh provides atmospheric art: an arresting picture of The Raven,' a cadaverous ghoul in The Bells,' and a depiction of the narrator of The Tell-Tale Heart' as a deranged Wee Willy Winky."--Kirkus Reviews. ". . . creepy, unnerving, chilling, and fascinating. . ."--Buzz Weekly. 48 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.
Synopsis
The cornerstone series that has sold more than a million copies--and earned lavish critical acclaim.Praise for books in the POETRY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE series
"It is particularly heartening to come upon... The Poetry for Young People Series [which] should be commended for recognizing that secure stepping stones hold infinitely more hope than forced marches."--Washington Post Book World
"Satisfies in every way."--School Library Journal
"Engaging...both informs and intrigues."--Booklist
"Nothing short of breathtaking."--Parents
With its blend of poetic brilliance and exquisite art, the Poetry for Young People series has won the admiration of critics, educators, children, and parents alike. Every breathtaking volume in this celebrated best-selling collection features an introduction to each poem, full-page images, annotations that define unfamiliar vocabulary, and fascinating biographical information.
John N Serio, editor of Poetry for Young People: Wallace Stevens, and Robert Crockett, illustrator of Poetry for Young People: William Carlos Williams have combined talents to create an absolutely charming and appealing anthology--and one that teachers will joyfully welcome in the classroom, parents to their homes, and childrento their reading and listening enjoyment. With works by such poets as Shakespeare, Langston Hughes, e.e. cummings, and Nikki Giovanni, plus a haiku for every season, it spans the year exquisitely. The superb, yet always child-friendly, images make this a volume not to be missed.
Synopsis
and#147;Sonnets are accessible as well as beautiful...paintings are well composed and richly colored.and#8221;and#151;Booklist. and#147;Dramatic paintings... provide the backdrop for Othelloand#8217;s defense of Desdemonaand#8217;s love for him...and Marc Antonyand#8217;s funeral oration in Julius Caesar; a brief biography puts the author and his 27 selections in context.and#8221;and#151;Publishers Weekly.
About the Author
Editor and professor John N. Serio, PhD, is an expert in American poetry who also served as the editor of Sterling's Poetry for Young People: Wallace Stevens. A professor emeritus at Clarkson University, he edited The Wallace Stevens Journal for nearly 30 years and has published four books on Wallace Stevens, including Wallace Stevens: Selected Poems (Knopf). Professor Serio has been the recipient of Fulbrights to Greece and Belgium and has taught for the Semester at Sea program on four voyages. He recently received the Distinguished Editor Award by the Council of Editors of Learned Journals. He lives in Tyler, TX.and#160;Award-winning illustrator Robert Crockett (the alter ego of artist Robert Hunt) lives in San Anselmo, CA. He has created illustrations for many major publications, hundreds of book covers, and numerous special projects including the Dreamworks logo, motion logos, advertisements, annual reports, packaging, and documentary projects on the Bay Bridge Earthquake reconstruction and the Tour de France. His work can be found in many private and corporate collections. An Associate Professor at the California College of the Arts (formerly CCAC), he currently teaches illustration, professional practice, and painting. See more of his work at roberthuntstudio.com.