Talking to the Sun

If you have one book of poetry, or one book of art reproductions, for your family (or for yourself at any age), this may be it. All of the poems are short and vivid, and the images are stunning, as befits a book issued by a museum. The choice of poetry may not be everyone's cup of tea, as the New York School poets are rather over-represented and there are a lot of poems in translation that include good images but unfortunately sound a little clumsy. But year after year, I find new things to delight in here. I disagree with the tag "children's poetry" for this book. This is not kiddy poetry, like Shel Silverstein's, but real poetry that children can appreciate.

Poetry. Could be used for any age level. Summary This book is a collection of art work that accompanies more than a hundred poems by an array of writers, including Nash, Dickinson, Tennyson, Carroll, ethnic poems, and many by people I don't know. Illustrations The illustrations are photographs of art work from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Application This book would be great to read while waiting in line. We could look at Egyptian art page, for example, and I could ask students what they think about the people who created these sculptures? Who are these people today? How old do you think the child in this painting? Why? What kind of hairdo would the child have today? What kind of job do you think this woman had? I could have the students look for details in pictures. What happened to the rest of this sculpture?

As a father, poet and art fan, I think this book makes a brilliant gift for artistically inclined children. The art graphics and choices are excellent. The poems are excellent. Most importantly, the book doesn't condescend to intuitive children. Koch understands that kids don't crave excessively sentimental hooey. They like to be fascinated. This is the kind of book that, over time, will increase a child's creativity.

I am 25 now, but I was given this book as a child, and I loved it. It is filled with lavish art and short poems that are meaningful and interesting to children as well as adults.A great book to give a child as a first exposure to poetry.

This is a beautiful book. The illustration used with the poems were splendid. The artwork presented by the Metropolitan Museum of Art were simple breathtaking. I would love to visit that museum oneday. This book is perfect for introducing children to all types of poetry.