You and Me: Poems of Friendship

A collection of poems about friendship, by such authors as Jack Prelutsky, Langston Hughes, and Judith Viorst

PreSchool-Grade 3. The 19 poems in this collection can stand on their own; coupled with the outstanding artwork, the book becomes a treasure to the eye and ear. Selections by poets such as Myra Cohn Livingston, Lucille Clifton, Jack Prelutsky, and Nikki Giovanni perfectly capture friendship?the glee, the confidences shared, the occasional sadness. Written from a child's perspective, the lyrical poems explore relationships with peers, family members, and even pets. The selections are paired with meticulously detailed illustrations that represent a variety of seasons and scenes. Mavor uses fabric relief as her medium, incorporating soft sculpture, applique, embroidery, and actual objects (shells, small pebbles, wood pieces, etc.). All techniques are used to wonderful effect and many objects seem to jump off the page. A visual treat, this book will not linger long on library shelves.?Barbara McGinn, Oak Hill Elementary School, Severna Park, MD
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Mavor (Mary Had a Little Lamb, 1995, not reviewed) applies her intricate fabric relief artwork to a series of poems about friendship by Jack Prelutsky, Langston Hughes, Judith Viorst, Lucille Thomas, Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, Nikki Giovanni, Aileen Fisher, Lucille Clifton, and others. In a realm in which acorn caps are used as tidy doll-sized berets, Mavor's highly detailed applique, embroidery, wrapping, dyeing, soft sculpture, and found-object art displays an admirable range of peoples- -including the four-legged friends many consider part of the family, a situation cleverly recognized in Arthur Guiterman's poem ``Chums.'' The selection of poems has child-appeal; the illustrations require close scrutiny, and may entice into the fold those who don't usually read poetry. (Picture book/poetry. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 4^-8. There are 19 enjoyable poems in this anthology, and Mavor has illustrated them with her extraordinary 3-D fabric relief technique that makes use of embroidery, collage, and applique. The problem is that the intricate, brightly colored illustrations overwhelm the words. Children will be so busy poring over the astonishing depth and detail of the pictures, with their cuddly dolls and animals, busy sidewalks, and country scenes, that it will be hard to listen to the imagery and rhythms of the poetry. The poets include Karla Kuskin, Jack Prelutsky, Judith Viorst, and Langston Hughes, and the theme of friendship is always a popular one, but it is the pictures and how they are made that will interest children in these pages. Hazel Rochman