Out and About: A First Book of Poems [Oct 01, 2016] Hughes, Shirley

I love this book so much! I wish they would reprint it I would buy a copy for every baby shower I went to. Precious book!

In total agreement with other readers, I admire this book very much. I wanted recently to buy two copies, one for each granddaughter and lo, it is out of print. Furthermore, I have listed it in the books for children section of the yet-to-be published 7th edition of -Science Experiences for the Early Childhood Year. And I read it to my classes. I hope it comes out in paperback!

A wonderful, seasonable drama that involves all the colorful activities that small children are fascinated by, i.e. dogs, wind and leaves, outdoor messes, etc...

Shirley Hughes wrote this with a musical ear for language. It is presently my hands-down favorite for reading to my two-year old. It is writing that adults can appreciate for almost haiku-like grace, and that appreciation can be passed on to the youngest readers. The illustrations match the poems superbly, and there are four mural-like double-page spreads, one for each season, that are each pictures the child can wander about visually, and I have had long talks with my son about what he sees in these pictures. An almost ideal children's book in my opinion.

This book makes a fabulous addition to any children's library ages 3-8. My daugthers, 4 and 7, love the detailed beautiful illustations and the poems that walk through the seasons. A great combination of 'picture book' for the youngest and a great first reader for the older set.