Poetry Book Reviews

Under the Sun and the Moon, Margaret Wise Brown
Here is a collection of poems for young children who are getting used a different type of read aloud from stories. Most of the poems are short and sweet for young listeners and are about animals and insects. Lovely for little ones. Margaret Wise Brown's books are wonderful for young readers.

Robert Louis StevensonBooks & Poetry

A Child’s Garden of Verses is a lovely way to introduce children to poetry. For most of Robert Louis Stevenson’s childhood life he was a sickly child. The times he spent in bed were time spent storing up his childhood memories of play. These memories come through in his poetry and are truly a child’s delight.

The Earth is Painted Green, Barbara Brenner

We love to tuck this book into our nature study bag when we go out to botanical gardens’ or another wild place. There are beautiful water color illustrations as well as poems of short and long for us to copy into our nature journals. But these are also wonderful poems to read on a rainy day when you cannot go out along with some hot chocolate and snacks.

“Hush hush, Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.” This is one of the first poems I can remember form my childhood because my Dad used to say it to me at prayer time. AA Milne bases his poems (as he did his Winnie the Pooh books) on the life of his much loved son – Christopher Robin. Our children delight in his, and other children’s antics, which are delivered so beautifully in verse. Our two favorites are: Now We Are Six and When We Were Young.

Robert Frost's Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Susan Jeffers

This hardcover book is a delightful way to introduce your children to this poet. This version is done in the form of a picture story book with captivating illustrations. You and your children follow a man and his horse as they delight in the new fallen snow and the animals around them in the woods.

TS Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats

What a pleasure to see the silly side of this poet. We have enjoyed getting to know the cats in his life through this book. Andrew Lloyd Webber used these poems for his smash hit “CATS”. Really great fun! As far as I know this book is out of print.

Not sure how to introduce poetry into your homeschooling lifestyle? I have written an article especially for you to help – read “How to hold a poetry and tea afternoon”

	Web www.homeschool-curriculum-for-life.com