Night Of The Whippoorwill - Hardcover

Larrick, Nancy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399218742 ISBN 13: 9780399218743

Publisher: Philomel, 1992

Synopsis

Acrylic paintings and humorous, haunting lyrics by such famous writers as Langston Hughes, Carl Sandburg, Federico Garci+a7a Lorca, Patricia Hubbell, and Jane Yolen celebrate the moon and stars, owls, whippoorwills, and other sights in the night sky.

About this title

Reviews

Grade 3 Up-- Thirty-four poems that convey the special mystery of the night. Federico Garcia Lorca, Estonian folklore, and tales from the Hopi share space with Langston Hughes, Eve Merriam, and others. Some poems are familiar, e.g., Sandburg's ``Lost,'' but the collection still remains fresh and exciting. Larrick does not condescend to her readers; these often sophisticated pieces have images that vividly capture the imagination of children. With pleasing rhythm, repetition, and glorious language, the selections bring alive storms, fireworks, stars, and always, mostly, the moon. Loneliness is evoked, as are cozy beds. The quiet atmosphere is echoed in the illustrations; soft, misty paintings in the blues and muted colors of night are occasionally lit by the bright oranges of fire or artificial light. They are built with bold fluid shapes that emphasize the abstract flow of design and make even the outlines of inanimate objects resonate with life. The humans represented are diverse, and while the animals are not always portrayed with consistent realism, overall the illustrations capture a dreamscape silvered by moonlight. Unfortunately, they are not quite up to the level of the excellent text. This volume would give added dimension to the poetry shelves, since most other collections on this subject are for younger children and include many lullabies. --Annette Curtis Klause, Montgomery County Department of Public Libraries, MD
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Like Larrick's Cats Are Cats and Mice Are Nice , these "poems that celebrate the night" are chosen with care. The 34 selections include "old poems from people who sang of the night long before scientists turned their telescopes on the sky, and songs from modern poets caught up in the continuing mystery and enchantment of the night." All the same, the match of art and text does not do justice to the varied and distinguished verses. Taken individually, Ray's muted, imaginative acrylic paintings--rendered primarily in dreamlike blues and grays--are successful; but taken as a whole, the art becomes repetitive, despite the occasional touch of orange light. Also, the individual texts are often set against hues too dark to make the words easily read. Nonetheless, Larrick's choices--from the folk song of the Papago Indians to Jarrell's "The Bat" to Hughes's "The Harvest Moon"--are uniformly felicitous. She offers carefully wrought language that is thoughtful, deftly phrased and full of fresh imagery. All ages.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Philomel
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0399218742
• ISBN 13: 9780399218743
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 71