The Bill Martin Jr Big Book of Poetry

Cover was wrinkled and damaged. Upper right corner of all pages inside slightly bent

It is impossible to only use one adjective to describe this book. This collection of poetry has been educational, fun, entertaining, wonderful and conversation-provoking for my family.This book features a diverse collection of poetry by authors ranging from Emily Dickinson to Jack Prelutsky. Surprisingly, my daughter's favorite poem is "Bed in Summer" by Robert Louis Stevenson. She laughs each time we read this poem because she is able to empathize with the narrator because she also has to go to bed before dark in the summer. She was amazed when I told her the poem was over 100 years old.The illustrations are amazing and fit each poem wonderfully. It seems no matter what is happening in our lives; there is a poem in this book which fits the occasion (such as holidays, the birth of her sister and eating vegetables).I have given this book to her teachers each year for Christmas. My daughter was thrilled when recently visiting her previous teacher; the teacher pointed out the poetry book was sitting out as she had read several poems from the book to her class that morning.This book is would be a wonderful gift for anyone who spends time children in the age range of 4 -8 years.

I can't even explain how much I love this book.I love Bill Martin's Jr. classic Brown Bear books (and the others that follow). They were staples when both of my children were toddlers.When I saw that he had compiled this book, I was curious (and I trusted it's worth before even buying it). Upon reading it, and sharing it with my four-year-old son -- the worth is undeniable. You know how you sometimes just can't muster the energy or enthusiasm for a bedtime or naptime story (or is that just me)? With this book, not only can you choose to read two short poems or four or five for a longer stretch, but the lyrical rhythm immediately chases away the grumps.We've almost read all the way through, and my son says we can just start again when we are finished.The art is done by Steven Kellogg and Lois Ehlert among others, and this work features poems by Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, and more whimsical poetry from Jack Prelutsky and Judith Viorst.I can't recommend it highly enough. I anticipate that this will be one of my go-to gift ideas for the preschool set.

Children's books written in verse seem to be making a come back. Works like Brian Lies "Bats at the Beach" remind us of the wonder and pleasure we all took as children in wonderful rhyming books. Yet too often, people underrate their children's ability to appreciate poetry.This tremendous treasure of a volume brings back so many wonderful memories of the poetry my parents read to me and offered me the opportunity to read with my children and grow their love of language. To the editor's credit, he did not choose a selection that in any way reads "down" to children, but with poems by Frost, Dickenson, Hughes, and Stevenson, instead sought to lift them up to wonderful heights.Will your child love all of these poems? Of course not. What he or she will however enjoy is the diversity of the pieces. Moreover, the varied and beautiful illustrations are sure to move even the smallest imagination to new flights of wonder.

My kids LOVE this book of poetry!!

Great collection of poetry and art! Artwork by various children's book illustrators (Steven Kellogg and Eric Carle, to name just two...) is featured throughout the book, with each piece attributed to its artist. My fourth graders love to select and practice reading poems aloud from this book and examinine the artwork. They get really excited when they see their favorite book artist featured in this anthology. This book is a must for any classroom.

My little guy is 28 months old. This is a lovely variety of poems of good quality. I am writing the date of each first reading on the page as I think this is one of those books that a grown man will hold one day and see where we read together.

I love this collection of poetry! The illustrations are beautiful and the poems aren't too silly. My daughters seem to enjoy the book too. My 2 year old requests specific poems, and my one year old likes to leaf through the book and look at pictures.

Lovely book, full of fun poetry for kids and illustrated by many different artists.

Great collection of poetry. We bought it as a gift to our grand daughter. She liked it as well.