Poetry for Young People: Robert Browning by Robert Browning, Eileen Gillooly (Editor), Joel Spector (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Robert Browning's poetry has mysteries and a beauty of language that youngsters will love exploring, from the classic and beloved Pied Piper of Hamelin to the charming verse play Pippa Passes. Perfect for parents to read aloud or along with their children, and accompanied by striking artwork, here is a selection of some of Browning's most reader-friendly works. Several paintings compellingly capture Pied Piper's drama: the Piper, smiling as he offers his services; the rats fleeing the town in droves; and the entranced children who will soon be lost forever. Home Thoughts from Abroad ("Oh, to be in England, Now that April's there...") features illustrations of the countryside in full bloom. There are 25 excerpts in all, fully annotated to enrich young readers' understanding of these poems.

Dr. Eileen Gillooly earned her Ph.D. from Columbia University, where she is Director of the Core Curriculum and teaches nineteenth-century literature and culture. She has also edited another entry in the Poetry for Young People series on Rudyard Kipling.


Joel Spector's work appears regularly in books, in newspapers such as the New York Times, in magazines such as Business Week, Good Housekeeping, and Newsweek, and throughout Europe and in Japan. He lives in Connecticut.

Children's Literature

How can you get fans of video games and action TV excited about opening a picture book of Victorian poetry? Put rats on the cover. Numerous cascading rodents illustrate part of Robert Browning's version of "The Pied Piper of Hamelin." Even more exquisite pastels fill the inside, vividly bringing to life the drama, beauty and action of these reader-friendly selections of Browning's powerful but challenging poetry. Despite careful selection, some of the poems will still prove difficult for young readers, but all of them can be enjoyed for their rhythmic ear appeal. Many even lend themselves to rap-like cadences and vigorous dramatizations that kids will have fun performing. The bloody drama of a soldier falling dead before his general, the "dew-pearled" splendor of a spring morning, or the swiftly changing emotions of a winner in the aftermath of his duel—all will engage readers as well as stimulate them to think. Biographical information about Browning, definitions for difficult vocabulary and brief insights into each poem are included in this spirited addition to the "Poetry for Young Readers" series. 2001, Sterling, $14.95. Ages 9 to 13. Reviewer: Betty Hicks

Parent Council Reviews

For the older child this collection of Victorian poetry by Robert Browning is graphically illustrated. Browning's use of dramatic monologue gives the reader stunning insight into the character's feelings and thoughts, rather than a scenic description. A brief biography of the poet is also included. Succinct notations offer insights into each poem. Part of the "Poetry for Young People" series. 2000, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., $14.95. Ages 10 to 12. Reviewer: M. Thomas SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-To say, as Gillooly does in her succinct introduction, that "Robert Browning is one of the most beloved English poets-and one of the most difficult to read" is an understatement. She does a remarkable job, however, of selecting the most accessible poems. The opening piece, lines from "Pippa Passes," is wisely chosen for its clarity and renown: "God's in his heaven-/All's right with the world!" It is followed by excerpts from "The Pied Piper of Hamelin: A Child's Story," which has an image-rich, familiar story line. Most of the remaining poems may be challenging to independent readers, given their obscure references and 19th-century English, but Gillooly's clear introductions to each one give valuable assistance in understanding them. For example, she urges readers to picture Browning at 22, when he traveled as a diplomatic secretary to Russia, "galloping from city to city in a horse-drawn carriage. The rapid, constant movement of the horses sank deeply into his memory and imagination," as they can see in "Through the Metidja to Abd-el-Kadr." The presentation of each poem includes explanations of words and references that might be unfamiliar today. Throughout, Spector's spectacular, energy-filled paintings further illuminate the meanings of the poetry, providing historical details and defining settings visually. This is a fine introduction to the poetry of Browning, and in the hands of an astute teacher or parent, it can greatly increase an older student's appreciation for classical literature.-Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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