Poetry for Young People: Edna St. Vincent Millay

I cannot think of a better way to introduce the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay than this small volume. The selection is excellent and of interest you the young reader. The commentary is quite relevant as are the pictures which accompany it which by the way are worth the price of the book alone. 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 Millay much less read her 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.

I opened this book at weekly Storytime...my son likes to play with the trains while my daughters listen to the story.. I thought, "I'll just look at this for a moment" and I was transfixed for the entirety of storytime.Yes, as the other reviewers have stated the illustrations are amazing, the poetry.... mind opening. Another facet of this book is the brief and compelling biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay.I knew very little about her... now that I know the little that I know from this book, I am hungry for more of her work as well as more of her life.Excellent book -- I am going to look into other titles in this series as well (The Poetry for Young People ) to see if the others are as above average as this one.Each illustration could be the focus of additional conversation: I see myself reading these poems repeatedly with my children. They are simple, elegant and timeless.

Picked up this up recently while browsing my local bookstore and was taken aback by the beautiful artwork found in this collection of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poems. I bought it on the spot! Not only are poem's heart-wrenchingly personal and affecting, the watercolor's are a feast for the eyes. I've shown this book to many of my peers who share my enthusiasm and have consequently picked it up as well. Strongly recommended!

Since I am an illustration student at RISD, I frequently review children's book art. I find this particular marriage of Millay's poetry and Mike Bryce's illustrations to be delightful. I will give the illustrator my best compliment: I will look forward to purchasing your next children's art work.

Mike Bryce's illustrations in this collection of Edna St. Vincent Millay's work truly capture the spirit and mood evoked by the poet. With the turn of each page, the reader is brought into various scenes and landscapes, introduced to the thoughts and passions of real, believable individuals which Bryce's illustrations have effectively brought to life. On one page, an old steam train rushes forth in the night, sending burning embers dancing into the night sky. Another page transports the viewer to the dunes of some tranquil distant shore, where the eel-grass whispers in the gentle breeze. A few pages later, and the reader is cast in a dying garden, where the gardener attepts to grow a a patch of hate. The gardener herself is wrought with anger as she tries in vain to achieve her plan; alas, her garden of hate "falters and fades". A following page entreats the reader to wild swans flying over the town, their wings glowing in the twighlight sky. Very captivating imagery! The poetry itself is a welcome addition to my bookshelf of historically important poets, and an essential book for any young reader, as it presents Millay's thoughts and reflections on a world that sometimes depicts all but roses and sunshine. A must for every personal library!