Winter Poems by Barbara Rogasky and Trina Schart Hyman

Winter Poems selected by Barbara Rogasky and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. Scholastic, 1994. 40 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Books (ages 4-10)
Recommended for: Ages 4 and up

So many books about winter feature Christmas, New Year’s, or other “special days.” Rogasky and Hyman teamed up to create a collection of poetry that simply celebrates winter. The result is a marvelously well-illustrated anthology of poems all about winter: snow, bird migrations, sleigh bells, even sickness! The poets range from Shakespeare to Ogden Nash to Emily Dickinson to Poe to more contemporary poets such as Lilian Moore. Children will enjoy watching the background image that frames each poem’s illustration as it changes from the first cool winds at the end of autumn to the breath of warmer air that brings the hope of spring. Hyman based her images on real life people, animals, and places, and they are a perfect match for the poems Rogasky has selected. Curl up with your young ones, sip some hot cocoa, and enjoy poems all about winter on a dark, cold afternoon while you pore together over the details in the pictures. **Book is no longer in print, but multiple used copies are listed on Amazon; also, check your local library.**

Cautions: none

Overall Value: 4.25 (out of 5)

• Moral/worldview value: 4
• Artistic value: 4.5

Categories: Picture Books, Poetry, Winter, Read-Alouds
Cover image from Amazon