From: DAJ <daj9999>
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2006 18:05:40 -0700 (PDT)

> Poetry should create its own images in the mind's
> eye. Why deprive
> the listener of picture making?

I think reading this post helped to clarify my feelings on illustrations in poetry collections. In general, the collections I like best are those where the pictures aren't designed to provide concrete illustrations of the content of the poems, but rather to provide a spark. _Words with Wings_ is one example, where the stunning art creates mood and provides a visual feast to accompany the richness of the words. _Fortune's Bones_ is another where the illustrations heighten the experience, but leave ample space for readers to create their own images.

I don't know if it's acceptable to introduce a different aspect of poetry books, but I'll insert a pet peeve -- the paucity of *audio* versions of most poetry collections for children. Picture books, beginning readers, even series books are all available on tape or CD, but so few poetry collections seem to be. Poetry is meant to be heard, and reading poetry well is an art -- rendering good recordings all the more important in introducing poetry to readers of any age.

DAJ

19th-Century Girls' Series http://readseries.com/index.html

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Received on Fri 07 Apr 2006 08:05:40 PM CDT