Great Poets: Rudyard Kipling

I bought this book for home schooling. I knew it would be excerpts from poems, but I didn't want to buy an adult book. Each poem is preceded by short comments explaining the poem. The comments even helped me to understand because some of the poems are about a particular event in history. The drawings are very good, not childish, and I enjoyed sharing them with my son. Rudyard Kipling is a great writer and shouldn't be missed because of lack of time or understanding. This book had me going to look up the longer versions of some of the poems.

I cannot think of a better way to introduce the poetry of Rudyard Kipling than this small volume. Now I do admit that Kipling is at the top of my list as a poet, so take this with that in mind. The selection is excellent and of interest you the young reader. The commentary is quite relevant as are the pictures which accompany it. I find that often now, our young people go all the way through the early grades in school and many of them have never heard of rudyard Kipling,much less read their poetry. This was the sort of stuff my generation and the generation before it grew up on and cut our teeth on. I do not feel I am any worse for the wear. I am fearful that we are bringing up an entire generation (rightfully or wrong, although I feel it is the later) of young folks who will have no appreciation to this great art form and will miss a lot. This book helps. This entire series helps, as a matter of fact and I certainly recommend you add this one and the others to your library. Actually, it is rather fun reading these with the young folk and then talking about them. Not only do you get to enjoy the work your self and perhaps bring back some great memories, but you have the opportunity to interact with your child or student. It is actually rather surprising what some of the kids come up with. I read these to my grandchildren and to the kids in my classes at school. For the most part, when I really get to discussing the work with them, they enjoy it. Recommend this one highly.