Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart

Former children's poet laureate Hoberman compiles a broad range of poems for young readers--brief enough to invite memorization--from writers including Frost, Silverstein, Sandburg, Milne, and Grimes, among many more. The works are divided thematically into categories like "Sad and Sorrowful," which features "Song" by Keats and "My Father" by Hoberman ("My father doesn't live with us./ It doesn't help to make a fuss;/ But still I feel unhappy, plus/ I miss him"); "Weather and Seasons"; and "Poems from Storybooks," with excerpts from The Wind in the Willows, James and the Giant Peach, and The Fellowship of the Ring. Emberley offers cozy mixed-media cartoons, which warmly evoke the poems' themes and images. A multidimensional and thoughtful cross section of verse with keepers on nearly every page. All ages. Agent: Gina Maccoby, Gina Maccoby Literary Agency. (Apr.)

Gr 3-6--The creators of the popular "You Read to Me, I'll Read to You" series (Little, Brown) offer a collection of carefully chosen pieces that are ideal for memorization, which gives children a sense of ownership and ultimately fosters a love of poetry. The subjects and themes are as diverse as the people who wrote them; there are works by beloved poets from all across the spectrum, such as Nikki Giovanni, Shel Silverstein, Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, and dozens more. Categories include "Sad and Sorrowful," "Happiness Is," and "Strange and Mysterious." Hoberman introduces each section with a short paragraph outlining the types of poems found within, putting readers in the appropriate frame of mind and prompting critical thinking about what they are about to read. At the end of the book, she offers detailed tips about how to memorize a poem, which will assist children in not just reading and listening to the poem, but actually feeling it. She also discusses terms like couplets, assonance, and alliteration, thereby providing a quick but useful introduction to the structure of poetry. Emberley's signature watercolor, pencil, and pastel illustrations add a splash of understated cheer to the selections. A wonderful addition to any collection.--Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY