Product Description

Here's a collection of poems sure to become as classic. Included are favorites by such well-loved writers as Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, Robert Louis Stevenson, Kate Greenaway and Robert Frost, plus the work of more contemporary poets. All are enchantingly illustrated by Hilary Knight's luminous watercolor paintings. Full-color illustrations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #276912 in Books
• Published on: 1991-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Sprinkled throughout this cheery volume of familiar poems are pictures of people readinga lady in a straw hat reading to a toddler on an old-fashioned porch, a kangaroo reading to babies in her pouch. True to the title, the poems collected are perfect for reading side by side. There are story poems; counting rhymes; verses about seasons, holidays and animals. Every page is filled with Knight's rollicking watercolors of exuberant, bright-eyed children. What will ensure this book's popularity, however, is the inclusion of poems many parents and grandparents will remember, including "A Visit from St. Nicholas," "The Three Little Kittens" and "The House that Jack Built." Fun for all members of the family, this is both a nostalgia-filled and a living collection. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3 The title is appropriate not only because the selected poems are so perfect for reading aloud, but because of the perfect integration of the poems and Knight's illustrations. As in his Twelve Days of Christmas (Macmillan, 1981), Knight extends the meaning of the grouped poems with accompanying scenes that create their own subtext. The book is arranged by seasons . Hopkins shows the strength of a true master collector. His selections embrace Mother Goose, traditional songs, and modern poets such as Eve Merriam, Langston Hughes, and Robert Louis Stevenson. A book worthy to sit side by side with Prelutsky's Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young (Knopf, 1986) and some of Hopkins' other collections. Kathleen Whalin, Public Library of Columbus and Franklin County, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

"Read it AGAIN!"....Mother Goose and Pals Delight All Ages!.
This review refers to the Hardcover edition of "Side by Side,Poems To Read Together".....

Lee Bennett Hopkins has put together a delightful collection of ageless poems and stories, for you to rediscover with your children or grandchildren. You will also find newer works that are sure to become classics some day.

Cuddle up with Mother Goose's "Wee Willie Winkie", Celebrate the arrival of Spring with Langston Hughes' "April Rain Song" or R.L. Stevenson's "Rain".Sing aloud with the kids to "Over the River and Through The Wood" by Lydia Maria Child,and have Clement Clarke Moore's "A Visit From St. Nicholas" ready to read aloud on Christmas Eve.

The poems are cleverly grouped by subjects, In the different Seasons of the year,there's "Spring Again" by Karla Kuskin, a delightful little ditty of being able to play without mittens,and "The Pickety Fence" by David Mc Cord, where you can almost hear a litle boy clicking along a fence with a stick.In summer enjoy "Munching Peaches" by Lee Bennett Hopkins.There are poems for playtime,worktime, and learning time,remember the "ABC Song"?(Anonymous). You'll find lots of animal ditties like "I Went To the Animal Fair"(Anonymous), counting rhymes, old favorites like "The Walrus and The Carpenter" by Lewis Carroll,songs for all Holidays,including "Hannukkah Candles" by Margaret Hiller and even "Prayer"(Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep...) for bedtime.

I wish I could name all the wonderful poems to be found here that will delight both you and your children(you may even continue reading it long after the kids have fallen asleep). There are over 70 pages of poems and songs in this beautiful book. The illustrations by Hilary Knight are marvelous and capture the essence of each and every poem. In "Poor Old Lady"(Anonymous), you know the one, she swallowed a fly, a bird, a dog, etc.....You can see the look in all the animals faces as they may think they might be Next!

The book also includes an index where you can look up your favorites alphabetically, By Author or by First Lines. There is also a nice introduction.

Have fun with this wonderful introduction to poetry that should be passed down from generation to generation, or keep it to read to your grandkids after the kids have grown.And Try not to get caught reading it by yourself!!!........Laurie

Great poems for Kidz!
Kidz will love this great anthology of wonderful poems. I grew up on poetry, and I know that my kidz will too. Thank you, Lee Bennett Hopkins!