National Poetry Month - A Light In The Attic

Recently I found out that the month of April is National Poetry Month.

Thanks to a  Harper Collins Children's Publicist I was award the opportunity to review a few books!

So far, I have written about Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire, by Jane O'Connor, and The Wonder Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Time You Let Me In, 25 Poets Under 25.

Today I have A Light In The Attic by Shel Silverstein, the Special Editon with 12 New Poems.

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
And pranced and partied all night long
And sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me? . . .

Here in the attic of Shel Silverstein you will find Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo With an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. You will talk with the Broiled Face, and find out what happens when someone steals your knees, you get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, a mountain snores, and they’ve put a brassiere on the camel.

With 12 never-before-published poems, here is a special edition of this beloved poetry collection, from the creator of Where the Sidewalk ends and Falling Up.

In A Nutshell: I have seen this book for the past few years but had never picked it up. It was always on the shelf at the library open and ready but I was always with my kids who were throwing books at me to read to them that I never had the chance.  It is chock full of mini poems for all ages but especially perfect for 12 and up. 

What I can tell you:  The poems are all short, perfect for little attention spans. Each poem comes with a sketching for your child to focus on while you read to them. Perfect!  I think this is the perfect introduction to poetry for young minds.

Arrows

"I shot an arrow toward the sky It hit a white cloud floating by.

The cloud fell dying to the shore. I don't shoot arrows anymore."

BTW...Look at all these awards the book as received:
* ALA Notable Children’s Book
* School Library Journal Best Book
* Library of Congress Children’s Books
* William Allen White Children's Book Award (Kansas)
* Garden State Children's Book Award (New Jersey)
* George C. Stone Center for Children's Books Recognition of Merit Award
* Buckeye Children’s Book Award (Ohio)