Myra Cohn Livingston

Myra Cohn Livingston (1926-1996) was an American poet, anthologist, and author who specialized in children's literature, particularly poetry. She wrote over 25 poetry collections for young readers and served as an influential voice in children's poetry for several decades. As an educator at the University of California, Los Angeles, Livingston taught children's literature and poetry writing while developing groundbreaking methods for teaching poetry to children. Her technical expertise in poetic forms and commitment to literary quality earned her recognition as a leading authority on children's verse. Her works explored diverse themes ranging from everyday experiences to serious subjects, demonstrated in collections like "Sky Songs" (1984) and "Earth Songs" (1986). Livingston's contributions to children's literature were acknowledged through multiple awards, including the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Beyond her own writing, Livingston edited numerous poetry anthologies and wrote critical works about children's poetry, including "The Child as Poet: Myth or Reality" (1984). Her influence continues through the many poets and educators she mentored during her career at UCLA and through her poetry workshops.

Readers appreciate Livingston's child-focused poetry collections and her contributions as a poetry educator. Teachers mention using her works as classroom resources to introduce poetry concepts to elementary students. Readers highlight her poems' accessibility and relatable themes for young audiences. Parents note the clear language and rhythmic qualities that engage children. Multiple reviews mention "Sky Songs" and "Birthday Poems" as favorites that resonate with kids. Some readers find her style too simple or traditional compared to more contemporary children's poets. A few reviews suggest her work feels dated. Available Ratings: Goodreads: Limited data (under 100 total reviews across all works) - Birthday Poems: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) - Sky Songs: 4.0/5 (8 ratings) - Thanksgiving Poems: 3.7/5 (15 ratings) Amazon reviews are sparse, with most titles having fewer than 5 reviews. Most of her works remain out of print, limiting recent reader feedback.

Why Am I Grown So Cold? Poems of the Unknowable - Collection of poetry exploring themes of isolation and emotional distance, published in 1982.

Celebrations - Poetry anthology examining various holidays and cultural festivities throughout the year, published in 1985.

There Was a Place and Other Poems - Collection of location-based poetry focusing on places both real and imagined, published in 1988.

Sky Songs - Poetry collection centered on celestial themes and natural phenomena, published in 1984.

B Is for Baby: An Alphabet of Verses - Alphabetically arranged poetry collection designed for young readers, published in 1996.

Poem-Making: Ways to Begin Writing Poetry - Instructional guide for teaching poetry writing techniques to young writers, published in 1991.

Space Songs - Collection of poems about outer space, planets, and astronomical concepts, published in 1988.

Cricket Never Does: A Collection of Haiku and Tanka - Anthology of Japanese-style poetry forms focusing on natural themes, published in 1997.

Earth Songs - Poetry collection exploring themes of nature and environmental awareness, published in 1986.

Sea Songs - Collection of poems about marine life and ocean themes, published in 1985.