This book is a must
This book was a staple from my childhood, and
I highly recommend it as a classic to be included in
any collection of children's books. No child
should have to go through life never hearing
about Daddy Fixing Breakfast. ...
This book glorifies corporal punishment.
I thought this would be fun to read to (and eventually with) my four year old step-grandchild until I flipped through the pages. Boy, was I wrong! The drawing that accompanies the first poem, "About The Teeth of Sharks" was entirely inappropriate for a young child--better suited for the movie "Jaws." I could have just avoided that page, but then I kept flipping through...hidden at the back of the book were poems that treated corporal punishment as a normal and acceptable way of bringing up a child, for example "How the Frightful Child Grew Better," and "What Do You Think His Daddy Did."
You Read to Me
This is the most marvelous book. I received it as a gift in 1968 when I was 7 years old and I'm still reading it at 40. My dad heard Ciardi speak at Rutgers and was mesmorized. Definitely buy this book for your children (or as a guilty pleasure for yourself).
The best children's poetry book (just learning to read & on)
This book of enjoyable, amusing, and well made poetry alternates poems to be read by adults to children with poems to be read by children to adults. Since I was 8 I've loved it, my child now gives it as a gift at every birthday party
Ciardi does it again!
I have been a fan of John Ciardi since first grade, and now my students love to read his work. This poem collection is no exception. I encourage all poetry lovers to read it!
(5 reviews)
