Poetry for Kids: Emily Dickinson (Poetry for Kids)

Gr 3 Up—This winning collection pairs 35 poems from Emily Dickinson's canon, arranged by season, with Davenier's rich, expressive artwork. The book opens with a biographical introduction to Dickinson by Snively, who is a guide at the Emily Dickinson Museum. Snively emphasizes Dickinson's fascination with science and the natural world, presenting her as a poet with a life "both quiet and busy"—a refreshing characterization. Pen and watercolor illustrations accompany each poem, vividly highlighting its subject while cleverly evoking less tangible imagery. For instance, a child dressed as a juggler leaps gracefully in the air amid spotted colors of gold and purple ("Blazing in gold and quenching in purple," reads the first line of the corresponding untitled poem). The child dances within a circular orb that emulates the sun, helping readers to see the riotous sunset that is alluded to in the rest of the poem. Definitions unobtrusively appear underneath each poem in small italics, as warranted. A helpful index, bibliography, and brief poetry analysis section, "What Emily Was Thinking," are included. Although the title of the poetry analysis is slightly misleading, since no one knows what the poet was thinking when she wrote certain lines, it is a useful guide for independent readers. While there are previously published volumes of Dickinson's work available (Frances Schoonmaker Bolin's Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson), this is a far superior selection. VERDICT A beautiful introduction to Dickinson for upper elementary poets.—Rachel Zuffa, Racine Public Library, WI