Poetry for Young People: William Wordsworth by William Wordsworth, Alan Liu (Editor), James Muir (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Praise for books in the POETRY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE series...

"It is particularly heartening to come upon...The Poetry for Young People series [which] should be commended for recognizing that secure stepping stones hold infinitely more hope than forced marches."--Washington Post Book World

"Satisfies in every way."--School Library Journal

"Engaging...both informs and intrigues....The editors of these handsome collections...have chosen well, bringing together about 20 of each great poet's most accessible, compelling poems...The fullcolor paintings on each page are beautiful."--Booklist

"Nothing short of breathtaking."--Parents

They're perfect marriages of classic poetry and beautiful art!
Every breathtaking volume in this critically acclaimed, best-selling series features exquisite full-color illustrations that enhance each verse and a renowned scholar's guidance to help children understand and love poetry. Also included is an introduction to each poem, full annotations that define unfamiliar vocabulary, and fascinating biographical information.

Publishers Weekly

The Poetry for Young People series adds two renowned British Romantics: Samuel Taylor Coleridge, ed. by James Engell, illus. by Harvey Chan; and William Wordsworth, ed. by Alan Liu, illus. by James Muir. The first title features excerpts from some of Coleridge's most famous long narrative poems, such as "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," along with shorter works, such as "Answer to a Child's Question," which begins "Do you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, the dove,/ The linnet and the thrush say, `I love and I love!' " Wordsworth is organized around topics such as "Nature" and "Children and Young People," and includes famous works such as "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud." The poet's love of nature shines throughout, as in the opening lines of "It Is a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free": "It is a beauteous evening, calm and free,/ The holy time is quiet as a Nun/ Breathless with adoration." As befits each poet, the artwork for Coleridge tends toward the more mystical and fantastic, while that for Wordsworth focuses on realistic and natural scenes. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Claudia Mills - Children's Literature

This latest volume in "Sterling's Poetry for Young People" series contains 19 of Wordsworth's most accessible and appealing poems, including "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," "My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold," "Surprised by Joy," and short selections from "The Prelude and Ode: Intimations of Immortality." Liu, a professor in the English Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an expert on British Romantic poetry, manages to provide a detailed overview of the poet's life that is both authoritative and engaging for young readers, focusing on young William's early loss of his parents, his rambles in nature (running like "a naked savage" out into thunderstorms, stealing a rowboat for a ride on a lake), his close relationship with his beloved sister Dorothy, and approach to poetry: "William became the first poet of the 'ordinary.' He believed that country folk, his own life, and nature were every bit as magical as all the gods and devils, kings and queens, and elegant city people that earlier poets wrote about." For each selected poem Liu provides a brief, helpful introduction and glossary of unfamiliar words. The poems are lavishly illustrated by oil paintings from high-profile Canadian artist James Muir; the double-spread of golden daffodils is especially stunning. A laudable and successful attempt to introduce today's children to one of the greatest poets in the English language. 2003, Sterling, Ages all.

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