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.
Review
and#8220;Bolin's four-page introduction describes and explains Emily Dickinson's odd lifestyle and creative productivity . . . prettily colored watercolors.and#8221; and#8212;
School Library Journaland#160;and#8220;Footnotes glossing antiquated diction are well-handled.and#8221; and#8212;Washington Post
Review
"Cobleigh's rich palette and haunting illustrations are the perfect pairing to Poe's often macabre poems and Bagert's short commentaries give the reader just enough insight to begin exploring the works on their own." and#8212;Children's Literature
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.
Synopsis
"Sonnets are accessible as well as beautiful...paintings are well composed and richly colored."--"Booklist." "Dramatic paintings... provide the backdrop for Othello's defense of Desdemona's love for him...and Marc Antony's funeral oration in Julius Caesar; a brief biography puts the author and his 27 selections in context."--"Publishers Weekly."
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
Now beautifully redesigned, this Poetry for Young People collection brings us into the world of Emily Dickinson, where even the most ordinary things can turn magical. In addition to a brief biography of Dickinson, more than 35 much-loved poems include and#8220;I'm nobody, who are you?and#8221; and and#8220;I started early, took my dog." Superb, yet always child-friendly, images make this a volume not to be missed.
Synopsis
Well-known for his spine-tingling, spooky stories, Edgar Allan Poe was also a master at writing haunting, deliciously macabre poems. Children will enjoy 13 of his versesand#8212;including two of Poe's most famous, "The Raven" and "Annabel Lee"and#8212;along with excerpts from eight of his most popular tales, such as and#8220;The Tell-Tale Heart,and#8221; and#8220;The Pit and the Pendulum,and#8221; and and#8220;The Cask of Amontillado.and#8221;
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.