Classic Poems to Read Aloud - Hardcover

James Berry was born in Jamaica and although he moved to England in 1948, never lost his love of storytelling and the music of language he learned in his native land. His books for children have always reflected this love whether it was in "'A Thief of the Village"', "'Spiderman Anancy"', or "'When I Dance"'. His writings have won major awards in England, where he now lives.

Grade 4-8?Berry has selected 138 poems that represent a wide variety of voices and organized them by subject. Poets range from Shakespeare to Wordsworth and from Anne Sexton to Shel Silverstein. He includes Native American poems as well as selections from Africa, India, and his native Jamaica. Some sections, such as those on animals ("Varied Bodies, Varied Means"), humor ("Lighthearted Happenings"), and love ("Faces of Love"), are typical of the arrangement of poetry collections. Other groupings, such as "Not Havings, Longings, and Endings" and "Folks' Wise Talk and Inspiration," are more unusual. Small line drawings and 16 full-color paintings by various artists are interspersed throughout. A fine volume for read-aloud programs and where librarians are encouraging young people to savor the language of poetry.?Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie
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