From School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-Twenty-eight poems (or parts of poems) reverberate with Kipling's compassion for his fellow humans. A lengthy introduction details the events of his life and their relationship to his work. With dedication to the structure, rhythm, and rhyme of his craft, Kipling created poetry that, when read aloud, sings to its audience in every phrase. Sharpe's exquisite paintings illustrate the exotic quality of the verse, whether of animals in the jungle or ships at sea. Vibrant colors reflect the strong emotions of each poem-Viking women widowed by the sea, seal mothers singing lullabies to their young. The faces of children show humor, trust, curiosity, and moodiness. Familiar lines from "If" and "The Ballad of East and West" demonstrate the poet's universal appeal. As in other books in this series, each poem is preceded by background information, and difficult or unfamiliar words are defined at the bottom of each page. A worthy addition.-Betty Teague, Blythe Academy of Languages, Greenville, SC Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
"Twenty-eight poems (or parts of poems) reverberate with Kipling's compassion for his fellow humans....introduction details the events of his life and their relationship to his work. With dedication to the structure, rhythm, and rhyme of his craft, Kipling created poetry that, when read aloud, sings to its audience in every phase. Sharpe's exquisite paintings illustrate the exotic quality of the verse, whether of animals in the jungle or ships at sea. Vibrant colors reflect the strong emotions of each poem...The faces of children show humor, trust, curiosity, and moodiness. Familiar lines from 'If' and 'The Ballad of East and West' demonstrate the poet's universal appeal. As in other books in this series, each poem is preceded by background information, and difficult or unfamiliar words are defined...A worthy addition."--School Library Journal.


Card catalog description
An illustrated collection of twenty-eight notable poems by Rudyard Kipling, with commentary and definitions of unfamiliar words. Includes an introduction about the poet's life and work.

ANNOTATION

An illustrated collection of twenty-eight notable poems by Rudyard Kipling, with commentary and definitions of unfamiliar words. Includes an introduction about the poet's life and work.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This is the first scholarly edition to bring together Rudyard Kipling's stories and poems. Covering the full range of Kipling's career from the 1880s to the 1930s it includes selections from Plain Tales from the Hills, Traffics and Discoveries, Just So Stories, Barrack-Room Ballads, and many more. A highly inventive writer, Kipling displayed his comic mastery as well as bleak insights into human behaviour in his work, and stories such as 'The Man who would be King', 'Mrs Bathurst' and 'Mary Postgate' established his reputation as an artist who still has the power to astonish his readers.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Childrens Literature

Here is a wonderful read-aloud book that should pique a young child's curiosity. The beauty of Kipling is that while the language requires effort, the music and rhythm of the poems can hold the youngster, as well as the reader, spellbound. Contained within this wonderfully illustrated volume are several well-known poems, such as "If" and "The Ballad of East and West" in addition to "Road-Song of the Bandar-Log" from The Jungle Book. The scope of subjects is breathtaking as Kipling pays homage to the British soldiers of World War I in "A Song in Storm" and playfully writes of his young daughter's constant questioning in verses from "The Elephant's Child." The moral lessons underlying "Natural Theology" and the poem about grumpiness in verses from "How the Camel Got His Hump" are timeless, however, certain of Kipling's poems were excluded from this collection because the language and sentiments would discomfort today's reader. Editorial notes throughout the book and a detailed introduction to Rudyard Kipling are included. 2000, Sterling Publishing Company, Ages 9 to 12, $14.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford

School Library Journal