Synopses & Reviews
First published in 1986 and just as fresh and relevant today, this widely acclaimed, child-friendly poetry anthology is now being reissued with a striking new jacket. In his introduction to this book Jim Trelease, bestselling author of
The Read-Aloud Handbook, writes, “No one better recognizes the essence of the child-poetry connection than poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky. . . . Here are more than 200 little poems to feed little people with little attention spans to help both grow. Marc Brown’s inviting illustrations add a visual dimension to the poems, which further engage young imaginations.” The poems are by 119 of the best-known poets of the 20th century.
This book has been selected as a Common Core State Standards Text Exemplar (Grades K-1, Poetry) in Appendix B.
Synopsis
A lively new jacket by Marc Brown puts a fresh face on one of the first--and widely considered the best--poetry anthologies for preschoolers. "No one better recognizes the essence of the child-poetry connection than poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky," writes Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, in his introduction to this child-friendly collection of more than 200 poems by well-known contemporary poets. Each poem in this 112 page book is "exuberantly illustrated," wrote The New York Times Book Review. With subjects ranging from waking up to going to bed and everything in between, here is "a joyous anthology that [is] bound to develop an appreciation for poetry at a very young age."--School Library Journal
Reading Group Guide
Dear Parents,
A long time ago, when I was a little boy, years before I went to school, my mother read to me. I loved listening to fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Hansel and Gretel, I loved books like The Little Engine that Could, but most of all, I loved poems. There was something special about rhyme and meter that sunk in and became part of me. I have no doubt that my lifelong love of literature grew out of those early precious moments with my mother.
Still, my mother only knew a few poems by heart and, except for a Mother Goose collection and Robert Louis Stevensons A Childs Garden of Verses, we had no books that contained more than one or two poems. Also, we didnt have a car, and the library was a very long walk away, so we were seldom able to go there. I sometimes wished that my family owned a giant book of poems written especially for me.
Thats what I tried to do by creating Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young-put together an anthology of delightful poems for children from ages six months or so, to six years or so. Although it includes many old favorites, I also combed through hundreds and hundreds of books to find lesser known, delightful little gems. The poems are on themes that very young children can relate to, such as nature, bedtime, animals, weather, food, the world of make-believe, and of course, childrens own thoughts and feelings. Many of the poems mimic the experiences children have as they discover the world around them.
The tips that follow are designed to help you share these poems with even the youngest child. These are the early building blocks to a lifetime of reading and special memories that your child will remember forever!
Sincerely,
Jack Prelutsky
1. The first few years of a childs life are extremely important to their emotional and intellectual growth. Reading to your child during these vital years is an essential tool to provide a nurturing and language-enriched environment. In Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young, I have selected short poems with wonderful sounds to keep even the youngest child entertained while acknowledging their short attention spans.
2. Make reading a daily practice-a special time for both of you to look forward to. It could be during the afternoon to provide quiet quality time, or perhaps right before bedtime to calm the child after an active day. Find a special place in your home to sit together while you read-snuggling together while listening to a parent read makes the child feel safe, loved, and happy.
3. Read through the whole book to become familiar with the poems before choosing which ones to read to your child. This will help you pick the perfect poem that relates to the day, the weather, or an upcoming event-for example, read a poem about animals before visiting the zoo.
4. Choose rhythmic poems and vary your tone to keep the attention of very young children. While they may not understand the words yet, they will respond to the sounds. As your child gets older, begin to encourage your child to repeat the words you read to them. Point out the pictures that relate to what you are reading. If they start enjoying a particular poem you may look into other books by that poet.
Dear Parents,
A long time ago, when I was a little boy, years before I went to school, my mother read to me. I loved listening to fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Hansel and Gretel, I loved books like The Little Engine that Could, but most of all, I loved poems. There was something special about rhyme and meter that sunk in and became part of me. I have no doubt that my lifelong love of literature grew out of those early precious moments with my mother.
Still, my mother only knew a few poems by heart and, except for a Mother Goose collection and Robert Louis Stevensons A Childs Garden of Verses, we had no books that contained more than one or two poems. Also, we didnt have a car, and the library was a very long walk away, so we were seldom able to go there. I sometimes wished that my family owned a giant book of poems written especially for me.
Thats what I tried to do by creating Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young-put together an anthology of delightful poems for children from ages six months or so, to six years or so. Although it includes many old favorites, I also combed through hundreds and hundreds of books to find lesser known, delightful little gems. The poems are on themes that very young children can relate to, such as nature, bedtime, animals, weather, food, the world of make-believe, and of course, childrens own thoughts and feelings. Many of the poems mimic the experiences children have as they discover the world around them.
The tips that follow are designed to help you share these poems with even the youngest child. These are the early building blocks to a lifetime of reading and special memories that your child will remember forever!
Sincerely,
Jack Prelutsky