ANNOTATION

A collection of more than 200 short poems by both known and anonymous American and English authors.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

More than 200 poems and rhymes have been assembled by Prelutsky in this large, satisfying volume. An obvious love for all things childlike is present in selections by Myra Cohn Livingston, Ogden Nash, A. A. Milne, Else Holmelund Minarik, Karen Gundersheimer, George MacDonald, Robert Louis Stevenson and many, many others. Brown's pictures spill over with robust children, woeful or willful animals, and not-very-scary monsterswearing sometimes sheepish, other times exuberant expressions. Page after page of winter rhymes, pet poems and bedtime fancieshere is a book that could inspire a lifetime love of the lilting tones of favorite poets. An introduction by Jim Trelease makes the case for reading aloud; one need go no further than this volume to be convinced. (3-8)

Publishers Weekly

A reissue of Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young, edited by Jack Prelutsky, illus. by Marc Brown, gathers more than 200 poems. Of the original, first published in 1986, PW wrote, "Page after page of winter rhymes, pet poems and bedtime fancies, here is a book that could inspire a lifetime love of the lilting tones of favorite poets. Brown's pictures spill over with robust children, woeful or willful animals, and not-very-scary monsters wearing sometimes sheepish, other times exuberant expressions." (Mar.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Published more than 10 years ago, Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young has just been reissued. Jack Prelutsky selected the poems, and the beautiful illustrations are by Marc Brown, who also created the new cover. In his introduction to the collection, Jim Trelease writes, "The poets represented in this volume have not forgotten what it was like to be three years old.... Reading such poems aloud allows us to visit with the child within each of us, and each visit gives us a better understanding of the child in our lap or in our classroom." The 200 poems highlight all of the ordinary and special events in children's lives. It is a treasure for young and old. 1997 (orig.

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

For more than twenty-five years Jack Prelutsky has been a forerunner in what he refers to as the children's poetry "renaissance." He has compiled anthologies such as Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young where he draws on many current writers who he believes are some of the best children's poets who ever lived. Prelutsky believes even harried working parents can take time for a daily poetry break to share with their children" the music of language. Poems can show us the beauty of our language and how things can be expressed. That's especially important now in our age of computers, video games and quick fix entertainment. Besides rhyming poetry is fun! This collection will indeed be fun.

School Library Journal