Manger - Hardcover

Hopkins, Lee Bennett

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802854192 ISBN 13: 9780802854193

Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2014

Synopsis

There is a legend that describes how, at midnight on Christmas Eve, all creatures are granted the power of speech for one hour. In this rich collection, Lee Bennett Hopkins and a dozen other poets imagine what responses they might offer. The poems represent a diverse group of animals, but all come together with one singular purpose: celebrating the joy of the miraculous event.

This collection of graceful poems provides readers with a Nativity story unlike any other -- at times gently humorous, at times profound, but always inviting readers to appreciate the wonder of Christmas. This book is a perfect gift for the holiday season.

Includes poems by...

• Lee Bennett Hopkins
• Joan Bransfield Graham
• Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
• X. J. Kennedy
• Jude Mandell
• Marilyn Nelson
• Jane Yolen
• Ann Whitford Paul
• Prince Redcloud
• Rebecca Kai Dotlich
• Michele Krueger
• Alma Flor Ada
• Alice Schertle

About this title

About the Authors

 

Lee Bennett Hopkins (1938–2019) was an acclaimed children's poet and anthologist. His books include I Remember (Lee & Low), America at War (Simon & Schuster), Manger, and Night Wishes (both Eerdmans). In 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized Lee as the world's most prolific anthologist of poetry for children-with over 100 titles to his name. He also founded the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and the ILA/Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award to recognize excellent writing for children. Until his death in 2019, Lee lived in Cape Coral, Florida, where he wrote many poems about animals-including Duke, his old cocker spaniel. Visit his website at leebennetthopkins.com.

Helen Cann is an illustrator, painter, and mapmaker based in England. She has illustrated more than twenty books, including For Every Little Thing (Eerdmans), Manger (Eerdmans), and How to Make Hand-Drawn Maps (Chronicle). Her work has appeared in exhibitions around the world and has been commissioned as props for film and television. Follow Helen on Instagram @helencannart or visit her website at helencann.co.uk.

Reviews

K-Gr 3— An introduction by the prolific poetry anthologist sets the stage for this exuberant celebration of the not-so-silent night on which the baby Jesus was born. Ranging from tender to humorous, 14 poems by masters of their craft (Jane Yolen, Alice Schertle, and more) relate the eyewitness reactions of various barnyard animals as God grants them the gift of human thought and speech. Only X. J. Kennedy's "Horse" is struck silent. "On Christmas Eve, the night unique,/they say we beasts find tongues to speak./Yet at this crib I am so stirred/that, staring, I can say no word." Handsome, detailed folk-art watercolor drawings accompany each animal's spread. Eye-catching endpapers, which are a pleasing collage of all of the animals, complete the package. Warm and satisfying, this is a top choice for holiday gift-giving or sharing in a classroom, church, or library.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

Edition details

• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802854192
• ISBN 13: 9780802854193
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Cann Helen
• Number of pages: 34