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Grandparent
Poems, edited by John Micklos
Jr., illus. by Layne Johnson,
celebrates intergenerational
love. In the third such
compilation (Daddy Poems; Mommy
Poems), the poems portray
treasured moments with grandma
or grandpa and recall fond
memories or the feelings of loss
for grandparents no longer
present. (Mar.) Copyright 2004
Reed Business Information.
Lucky is the
child who has loving and caring
grandparents. I am happy to say
that I was certainly one. My
grandparents were the ones who
always had time to spend with me
and they seemed genuinely
interested in what I had to say
and what I did. They were also a
source of much information and
many skills, such as cooking,
knitting, sewing, and playing
card games. They talked about
things my parents did when they
were my age and they were
generally there when I needed to
talk to adult. This collection
of poems celebrates those
wonderful grandparents. In a nod
to modern lifestyles, there is
even a new step-grandmother (a
remarriage) which in this case
seems to have been quite
positive. The picture of her
holding a fragrant blossom shows
a sweet gentleness which is a
real contrast to the inset on
the opposing page with grandpa
racing off in a red sports car.
Some granddaddies serve as
daddies (more than five million
grandparents are raising
grandchildren) and some
grandparents kids will never
know because they are no longer
alive, but they are remembered
with love. A heartwarming
collection by many well know
poets such as Nikki Grimes,
Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Grace
Nichols, Jeff Moss and Lee
Bennett Hopkins and one that
every grandparent will probably
want to share with his or her
favorite grandchild. 2004, Boyds
Mills Press, Ages 5 up.
K-Gr 4-A
companion to Mommy Poems (2001)
and Daddy Poems (2000), this
appealing book is similar in
scope to Carol and Daniel
Hittleman's A Grand Celebration:
Grandparents in Poetry (2002,
all Boyds Mills). It features 22
selections by contemporary
writers such as Nikki Grimes,
Francisco X. Alarc-n, and
Rebecca Kai Dotlich. Many of the
poems have been previously
published. Relating cherished
memories and describing shared
activities, they evoke the
special bond between the
generations. Lee Bennett
Hopkins's poignant "Still" is
one of several that pays tribute
to grandparents no longer
living. In the open layout,
colorful full-page illustrations
alternate with smaller
paintings. The realistic artwork
shows families from many
different backgrounds and
complements the warmth and love
expressed in the verses.-Sally
R. Dow, Ossining Public Library,
NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business
Information.
Georgeanne, a retired
librarian and
storyteller,
November 17, 2004,
 
Grandparent Poems
compiled by John
Micklos, Jr. is a
worthwhile addition
to any library
collection. Consider
it an essential
purchase for
Grandparent's Day
celebrated in
September. Those
first and second
grade teachers
planning a unit on
families will be
delighted to find it
on your shelves. The
poems are guaranteed
to spark an animated
discussion among
children eager to
describe their own
grandparent(s).
Children will be
sure to share their
special names for
grandparents. While
some of these poems
may appear in other
anthologies, this is
still a recommended
purchase for both
school and public
libraries. There is
a table of contents,
an index of titles
and first lines, and
short biographical
information about
the poets, including
Micklos, who
contributed five
poems. Johnson's
illustrations are
excellent and depict
a variety of
families. Don't pass
on this one.
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Grandparent
Poems: Heartwarming!, April 20, 2004
