Book Review: Switching on the Moon: A Very First Book of Bedtime Poems- Collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Synopsis: From the hoot of an owl to the horns of the city, from children giggling in the bath to the hushed notes of a lullaby, here is an exquisite anthology that captures the universal poetry of bedtime. Expertly gathered by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters, these sixty poems range from old favorite poets such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Sylvia Plath, and Eleanor Farjeon to beloved contemporary poets like Marilyn Singer, Lee Bennett Hopkins, and Children’s Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman.
Review: This gorgeous book is rather hefty for a kids book, at 96 pages! It is divided into three sections: getting ready for bed, bath time, and sleep (which includes dreams and noises in the night). While the book is aimed at kids 0-5 years, I think it will actually go more to age 10. The poems are simple and short for the most part and their rhymes seem very attractive to small children.
When Kiddo and I read it the first night, I expected to read a couple of poems, and she would not want any more. She surprised me by wanting to go through thw WHOLE book. We settled on a third of the poems! And did the same for 2 more days! I was awed by how she was so fascinated with the poems and wanted to read them over and over! I can't recommend this book enough! It would be the perfect Easter or Birthday gift, and super for the child getting ready to go to their own BIG bed!
One of Kiddo's favorites is Arthur Guiterman’s “Starlighter”:
When the bat's on the wing and the bird's in the tree,
Comes the old Starlighter, whom none may see,
First in the West, where the low hills are,
He touches his wand to the evening star,
Then swiftly he runs on his rounds on high
Till he's lit every lamp in the dark blue sky.
When Kiddo and I read it the first night, I expected to read a couple of poems, and she would not want any more. She surprised me by wanting to go through thw WHOLE book. We settled on a third of the poems! And did the same for 2 more days! I was awed by how she was so fascinated with the poems and wanted to read them over and over! I can't recommend this book enough! It would be the perfect Easter or Birthday gift, and super for the child getting ready to go to their own BIG bed!
One of Kiddo's favorites is Arthur Guiterman’s “Starlighter”:
When the bat's on the wing and the bird's in the tree,
Comes the old Starlighter, whom none may see,
First in the West, where the low hills are,
He touches his wand to the evening star,
Then swiftly he runs on his rounds on high
Till he's lit every lamp in the dark blue sky.
About the Editors/ Illustrator:
Jane Yolen is an author of children’s books, fantasy, and science fiction, including Owl Moon, The Devil’s Arithmetic, and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? She is also a poet, a teacher of writing and literature, and a reviewer of children’s literature. She has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century. You can find out more about her on her website.
Andrew Fusek Peters: Andrew Fusek Peters (b. 1965), the tallest poet in the UK, has written more than 45 books for children, two of them nominated for the Carnegie Medal. His anthology Sheep Don't Go To School has been chosen to be on the National Curriculum, and his choice of the best of his poems, Mad, Bad and Dangerously Haddock, is published by Lion in 2006. His wife and frequent co-author, is Polly Peters. Check out their website for more info.
G. Brian Karas: He grew up in a small town in Connecticut. Since, college, he has lived in Kansas City, New York City, and Phoenix. he has written and illustrated several award-winning children's books, including On Earth and Home on the Bayou: A Cowboy's Story, a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book. He now resides in Rhinebeck, New York with his wife, Sue, also an artist, their two sons, Bennett and Zachary, their big dog Buddy, and little cat, Lucy.
Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book for review purposes, free of charge, from Candlewick Press through TPRP! No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about the book!
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