Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry

Similar to my venture for the perfect nursery rhyme book , I went on a venture for the perfect first poetry book. This wasn't the book I ended up with, but if it would have been around then, it would have been perfect! I'm not going to say I'm a poetry expert, or even that I've seen a huge number of early poetry books, but this book is different from what I have seen, and perfect for little ones.

Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry contains little poems for little people with little attention spans. Perfect. There is almost always only one or two poems per page. The words are large, making it easy to read, as well as making the words a visual feature for little eyes. The illustrations are large and simple, colorful, and of course adorable. You can tell that by looking at the cover, can't you?

Our local library has this book, and we have checked it out and enjoyed it more than once. All of my children enjoy it, and we all seem to have chosen our favorite poems. As much as I would love too, I don't buy all the books I love. But if I did, I would most certainly own this one. If I ever venture to find a first poetry collection again --and I might--this will be my first choice.

When do you go on your first poetry book expedition? Well, that depends on who you ask. My opinion is that you can't start poetry too early. I think the rhymes and illustrations in this book would easily please a baby if read in short intervals. Depending of course on temperament, and how accustomed to being read to a child is, I think this would also make a great one or two year-old birthday gift. I know my children would have loved it. Beyond that certainly the three to five year old set would enjoy it. It's wonderful to find books that grow with a child! Rhyming is an important literacy skill, and hearing rhymes over and over has got to be one of the most enjoyable ways to acquire it. Babies love rhyming, and so do young children. And when it's this well done --so do I.

I'm not the only one who appreciates this book. It is currently up for the Beehive Award for 2009!

To hear another book-lover succinctly discuss the importance of rhyme, and her perfect nursery rhyme book, click here.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was also a finalist for the CYBILS last year. I love this book.

Lindsay said...

I didn't know that. Well, that clinches it. It must be the best. :)

Kelly Polark said...

I love poetry! I am so going to check out this book! I like the idea for a gift for toddlers!

Anonymous said...

We have that one, too. It's lovely.

Anonymous said...

This sounds perfect for my little one! I've been looking for ways to introduce him to poetry. I'm going to see if I can find this one at our library.

Kim Baise said...

Yes! This one will be great for my little one who will be 2 soon. We love poetry and the illustrations look so sweet. Thanks for enlightening me on the Beehive awards. I had never heard of it before. Is that only in Utah or regional?

Lindsay said...

I believe the Beehive Award are Utahn, but they always have great nominations. I love being referred to great books! :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for reviewing this book. I will check it out for my two year-old.