Poetry Speaks to Children

Poetry Speaks to Children pairs over 90 poems with illustrations and an audio CD featuring many of the poets reading their own work. The collection includes classic children's poems alongside contemporary pieces from diverse voices. The accompanying CD contains 50 recordings, allowing young readers to hear the poets' intended rhythm, tone, and delivery. Original artwork by Judy Love, Wendy Rasmussen, and Paula Zinngrabe Wendland appears throughout the book in full color. The anthology features works by poets like Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, and Roald Dahl, along with contemporary writers such as Billy Collins and Joy Harjo. Multiple languages and cultural traditions are represented in the collection. This anthology connects children to poetry through sound, sight, and imagination, emphasizing the oral tradition of verse. The combination of illustrations and recordings makes poetry accessible while preserving its literary significance.

Parents and teachers report this collection engages children ages 4-10 in poetry through its audio CD and diverse selection of 97 poems. Multiple reviewers note their children request repeated readings and memorize favorites. Readers liked: - CD recordings of 52 poems, including authors reading their own work - Mix of silly/fun poems with more serious classic pieces - Multicultural selection spanning different time periods - Illustrations that hold children's attention - Sturdy binding that withstands repeated use Common criticisms: - Some poems too complex for younger children - CD doesn't include all poems from the book - A few readers found illustrations inconsistent in quality Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (517 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (156 ratings) "My 6-year-old asks for this every night" appears in multiple Amazon reviews. Several teachers mention using individual poems for classroom activities. Parents frequently comment that the audio recordings help children learn proper rhythm and pronunciation.

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🎵 The book includes a CD featuring 58 poems read aloud, many by the original poets themselves, including Langston Hughes and Robert Frost 📚 Editor Elise Paschen is herself an accomplished poet and member of the Osage Nation, serving as Executive Director of the Poetry Society of America from 1988 to 2001 🎨 The collection features vibrant illustrations by Judy Love, Wendy Rasmussen, and Paula Zinngrabe Wendland, bringing the poems to life with whimsical artwork 🌍 The anthology includes poems from diverse cultures and time periods, spanning from traditional Mother Goose rhymes to contemporary works by living poets 👶 Many of the selected poems were chosen specifically because they contain sounds, rhythms, and repetition that appeal to young readers and help develop early literacy skills