The Oxford Illustrated Book of American Children's Poems

American childrens poetry began with Native American cradle songs moved on to a rhymed alphabet blossomed in the 19th century with "A Visit from St. Nicholas " expanded widely in the 20th century and continues with vigor into the new millennium. Some of the best of these poems however have been neglected or forgotten. This collection edited by acclaimed childrens author and poet Donald Hall returns to us the forgotten treasures of American childrens poetry. Featuring some of the best of childrens book illustration-including archival selections from rare and early editions and pictures from now defunct 19th- and early-20th-century childrens magazines-this anthology revives not only the classic poems but also the atmosphere of the periods in which they were written and read. Starting with anonymous Native American verses and a selection from the 1727 New England Primer "Alphabet " this book spans two centuries of American childrens poetry. Immediately recognizable names including Emily Dickinson Robert Frost Carl Sandburg and T. S. Eliot are joined by talented contemporary poets like Gwendolyn Brooks Sandra Cisneros Janet S. Wong and others. Perennial favorites-such as "The Three Little Kittens" and "Casey at the Bat"-are mixed in with new classics such as Shel Silversteins "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out." Poems about holidays appear with verses for recitation nursery rhymes poems for laughter bedtime verses scary poems and animal poems. In recognition of Americas diverse nature the selections in this anthology reflect a variety of backgrounds and experiences. From anonymous African-American poets we step forward through the ages to admire the talents of Langston Hughes Sonia Sanchez and Francisco X. Alarcn. Children will love discovering these gems and both parents and teachers will delight in reading to children from this book.