Secret Places - Hardcover

Charlotte Huck

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688116698 ISBN 13: 9780688116699

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 1993

Synopsis

A collection of illustrated poems about secret places written by such authors as Elizabeth Coatsworth, Aileen Fisher, and David McCord.

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Reviews

George ( Christmas at Long Pond ) contributes an unexpected riot of color in this reflective anthology about what Huck calls the "joyful places that we love intensely, or places of refuge where we run to hide, or places visited only in our imaginations." Almost surrealistic, larger-than-life flowers and insects surround George's multi-ethnic cast of children, while varied perspectives and lighting enhance the unique intimacy of each poem. With few exceptions, Huck has selected favorites from well-known children's poets--A. A. Milne, Rachel Field, Gwendolyn Brooks, David McCord--and included only those verses that would appeal to youngest readers: "Down among the cobwebs and grasshopper spittle /I can hide and peck around and be glad I am little" (Nancy Dingman Watson). Poems about hideouts of "autumn leaves in a pile that high" (Aileen Fisher), about treasure boxes "of important things that I'll never show / to anyone, anyone else I know" (Myra Cohn Livingston), about tents made from blankets and porch chairs, will reassure children seeking a place that may be "dark and safe" (Elizabeth Coatsworth) or where they can "linger alone . . ./ Lost / In a book" (Karla Kuskin). Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 4-8. Secrets are a rich subject for poetry, which can capture our solitary places, real and imaginary. Huck has collected 19 poems by leading children's writers about being alone. Rose Burgunder's boy retreats to a quiet place and imagines a jungle. Myra Cohn Livingston's "The Box" is about a secret container of precious things. Aileen Fisher evokes the special pleasure of "The Hideout," where you can look out through little slits and not be seen. Gwendolyn Brooks describes the refuge you can retreat to "when the wind is rough." David McCord dramatizes the way solitude can connect you with a wider world and help you "meet the evening face to face." George's gouache pictures, large and brilliant, are fine for group sharing; sometimes they may overwhelm the words, but they do express the dazzling vitality of imaginary life. Hazel Rochman

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0688116698
• ISBN 13: 9780688116699
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Lindsay Barrett George
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32