Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, have hand-selected a wonderful mix of their most cherished poems, songs, and lullabies in this rich and diverse poetry collection. Brought to life with James McMullan's stunning watercolor paintings, this volume features nearly 150 treasured works, including beloved classics and modern favorites from Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, Jack Prelutsky, Shel Silverstein, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and more - twenty-one of which are theatrically and playfully read aloud by Andrews and Hamilton on the accompanying CD
Andrews introduces each of the nine themed sections with intimate stories and family memories, offering readers a glimpse into her world and her personal connection to many of the selections. There are even a number of special poems written by the authors themselves as well as contributions from close family members.
This deluxe anthology is bound to inspire an early love of poetry and song and become a classic for families to grow with and treasure throughout the years.
Julie Andrews is one of the most recognized figures in the world of entertainment best known for her performances in
Mary Poppins,
The Sound of Music and, more recently,
The Princess Diaries. Julie is the author of many beloved children's books, including
Mandy and
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, and her recent bestselling memoir,
Home. Visit the Julie Andrews Collection online at
www.julieandrewscollection.com.
Emma Walton Hamilton is a bestselling children's book author, editor, educator and theater arts professional. She has co-authored and published 16 books for children and young adults, four of which were
New York Times bestsellers. Emma is the coauthor of the
I Can Read! DUMPY easy readers series with her mother, Julie, and illustrated by her father, Tony Walton.
James McMullan is an award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in a variety of books for adults and young readers. He has been internationally recognized for his seventy posters for Lincoln Center Theater.
McMullan received the
New York Times Best Illustrated Book award in 2002 for the picture book
I Stink!, and he has also award with the Society of Illustrator's prestigious Hamilton King Award.
Julie Andrews and her daughter's selection of material for children contains works by figures as diverse as Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, Rodgers and Hammerstein, A.A. Milne and Shel Silverstein, as well as offerings by Andrews and Hamilton. McMullan's paintings express the sometimes silly, sometimes melancholic temperaments of the pieces, which together form a tapestry of human emotions and experiences, grand and small. The broad potpourri of voices, given a modern yet comforting flair by the artwork, is bound to become a favorite. An audio CD with poems read by Andrews and Hamilton is included. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)
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Gr 2 Up—Through sections entitled "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "Accentuate the Positive," and "Leisure" (the proper pronunciation rhymes with pleasure), Andrews relates her lifelong love of poetry and how she and her daughter, co-selector Hamilton, share this passion. Andrews and Hamilton also contribute several poems. The generous collection includes a nice range of old favorites by Robert Louis Stevenson, Rachel Field, and Christina Rossetti. Recent poets include Frank Asch, Nikki Grimes, and Jack Prelutsky. Many of the songs hail from theater and movie musicals: "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'!" and "My Favorite Things," "Talk to the Animals," and "Feed the Birds." A CD featuring Andrews reading 21 poems is included. This is a warmly sentimental collection, leavened with humor and poignancy, and though it appears marketed toward adults who will purchase it for their home collections, educators and librarians will also embrace it for its sincere advocacy of reading aloud. McMullan's lush watercolor paintings add to the overall appeal of this well-crafted anthology.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
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