The Random House Book of Poetry for Children

As a middle school reading teacher, I host an annual Poetry Reading Competition open to all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. For the past several years, this book has been a prize, in addition to plaques for the first and second prize winners. The best review for this book is that the children use it, read it, and often select poems from it for their entry pieces. Even better, perhaps, is that I have had thanks from many parents for awakening an interest in poetry in their children, boys and girls alike. This volume of poetry offers a full range of poems, for short to long, humorous to sublime, and in a wide range of topics. While it is just one of a wide selection of books and poets I offer my students, it is one of the most versatile. Whether teaching rhyme scheme, simile and metaphor, slanted rhyme, figurative language, or stress, this is also an invaluable part of my teaching arsenal.

This outstanding collection of poems for children should be a part of every child's book collection. No other poetry collection is better. My children own several books of poetry, and I have reviewed several similar collections at the library and in book stores, and "The Random House Book of Poetry for Children" is the best of them all. The poems are mostly silly and very entertaining. We sometimes like to take turns picking out poems to read at bedtime. Humorous children's poems help build creativity. I can think of nothing negative about this book. Put this book in your cart and buy it. You will be happy that you did.

Wonderful, just wonderful, this collection of children's poetry sparkles and adds life and verve to any classroom. From the opening stanza of "The Boy What Done A Poo" and the haunting reworking of Goldstein's "Ahhh, I'm telling Miss of you" this anthology will thrill children of all ages, and grown ups too!(I must point out, however, that the inclusion of controversial poet Sean Hickey's "Bang Bang You're Dead 50 Bullets In Your Head" might cause younger readers some concern).

Jack Prelutsky's anthology is wonderful! Because it is divided by themes, it makes an ideal resource for teachers searching for the perfect poem on the unit in focus. Most of the poems are whimsical and light-hearted, but also provide access to many forms of poetry across centuries. Arnold Lobel (of Frog and Toad fame) accompanies the poems with adorable, although sometimes plain, illustrations. It is an excellent purchase for the elementary teacher and parents alike -- tons of literacy fun!