Poets' Corner: The One and Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family by John Lithgow, John Lithgow (Compiler)

From Barnes & Noble

Purists might dispute the uniqueness claimed by the subtitle, but actor John Lithgow's family poetry anthology does possess a very special verve. The 300-page collection contains a pleasing salad of time-tested favorites and rib-tickling originals, perhaps reflecting the versatility of the compiler, a Harvard graduate and Third Rock from the Sun star. In making selections, Lithgow insists, "Each poem's light shines more brightly when read aloud," a standard easily met by the robust readings on the package's bonus MP3 CD. The readers include Morgan Freeman, Susan Sarandon, Helen Mirren, Jodie Foster, Gary Sinise, Sam Waterston, Kathy Bates, Billy Connolly, and, not least, Lithgow himself.

From the Publisher

From listening to his grandmother recite epic poems from memory to curling up in bed while his father read funny verses, award-winning actor John Lithgow grew up with poetry. Ever since, John has been an enthusiastic seeker of poetic experience, whether reading, reciting, or listening to great poems.

The wide variety of carefully selected poems in this book provides the perfect introduction to appeal to readers new to poetry, and for poetry lovers to experience beloved verses in a fresh, vivid way. William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Dylan Thomas are just a few names among Lithgow's comprehensive list of poetry masters. His essential criterion is that "each poem's light shines more brightly when read aloud." This unique package provides a multimedia poetry experience with a bonus MP3 CD of revelatory poetry readings by John and the familiar voices of such notable performers as Eileen Atkins, Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, Billy Connolly, Jodie Foster, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Lynn Redgrave, Susan Sarandon, Gary Sinise, and Sam Waterston.

Every reader will enjoy reciting or listening to these poems with the entire family, appreciating how each one comes to life through the spoken word in this superlative poetry collection.

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