Poetry Books

great book, great read. perfect for the coffee table, or the bathroom for your guests to go "wtf kinda stuff do you read?"

This is Saul Williams but it is not a book of poetry. It is well written and I would recomend it to anyone who likes Saul Williams, poetry, hip hop or both.

Saul Williams, hip-hop's so-called "poet laureate," can comfortably add "hip-hop mystic" to his résumé with this collection of excellent poetry. His rhymes drip with the religious symbolism of ancient Mystery cults (most notably, Isis) as he journeys with the reader on a path to self-discovery, spiritual fulfillment, and ethical reasoning. In hip-hop Williams sees ancient drums and chants, camp-fire storytellers whose power has been hijacked by capitalist greed, materialism, defeatism, and chauvinism. He teaches through twistable and irresistible verse that the power of history's lessons and thought can change worlds by changing words.

I admit that I am not a hip-hop fan, per say. I do enjoy a select few artists (Williams included), and have studied African American history/culture, so I was not entirely unfamiliar with the themes/issues of this book. I am, however, a lover of poetry, truth, and vulnerable strength, which Saul Williams encapsulates perfectly. Truly, one need not know much about hip-hop to appreciate this book. No matter one's musical preference or cultural background, Williams speaks truth, and therefore can be embraced by all. "Word is bond."

i've written tons of academic papers (including my current thesis) on williams; his work is unbelievable and should be taught everywhere. his attempt to uplift hip-hop is honorable and appreciated.

I first heard about this book on a message board (I think it was the one from DaveyD.com) and I really enjoyed reading the publisher's excerpt, and it was just the introduction. With it, I didn't know how to take it. Whether it was truth or just a very well worded story from Saul Williams. Either way, I could feel the vibe of Hiphop Kulture coming from it. So of course, I went out and bought it.

I was blown away.

I first heard of Saul from the book ", said the Shotgun to the Head." So I already thought I knew what to expect. But I was completly blown away by the deepness of these poems. Whether really taken from a strange manuscript in an old spray can or just a way to publish his own poems about Hiphop's preservation of love, peace, and unity, this was great. I recommend it for anyone who like poetry, spoken word, rap music, or just books. Very good.

This collection of poems will entertain you, make you think, and above all, make you delirious! I enjoyed every one of the poems written. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys poetry with a twist of humor.

I discovered "Delirious" while babysitting for my 6 year old nephew and 8 year old niece. They were fighting over which one of them could read the book. To settle the situation fairly, I told them to each pick their favorite poem in the book and I would read it to them. Big mistake on my part as they each had several favorites and could not decide on the two poems they wanted to hear. After approximately a half hour of debating, my niece settled on "Girls" and my nephew chose "Just Kidding". Reading the poems to them, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed them. All of the poems in the book are cleverly written and touch on topics that have universal appeal to anyone who remembers what it is like to see the world through the eyes of a child. I think I wound up enjoying the book more than the kids did. What a pleasent surprise!

NOTHING'S sacred. Just like all of us kids (and face it; we ARE all kids)Brian would like to let it all hang out--and he does. There's no roping in his imagination and creativity. Every emotion is tapped. Deja vu sets in and past memories of "Oh my gosh! that's ME!" come wriggling to the surface. Written from a kids' eye view and VERY refreshing! A real pick-me-up! He might as well live in a glass house--we know all about the family! Thank God your family loves you, Brian. They DO, don't they? One of my favorites? "The Haircut"

Mr. Allfrey not only captured the hearts and imagination of my students and staff with his collection of poems, he was gracious enough to share his personal insights on the writing process and the pre-writng process. His poetry had many keen insights that my students could readily relate to, and his topics are easy to apply to all facets of my curriculum. A great crossover book.

Being a sixth grade teacher, one of the areas of curriculum I need to teach my students is poetry. Unfortunately, the students usually groan when poetry is introduced due to the seriousness of adolescent poetry. My students still love Shel Silverstein, but think his poetry is a little "young" for their very "advanced" adolescent minds! Thanks to Mr. Allfrey, they now have a book of poems that are Silversteinesque without being juvenile. Thanks to Delirious, I was able to begin my poetry unit by reading good, but funny poems. All of my students were laughing out loud. I've never seen sixth graders so excited about poetry!

This book is fabulous for teachers to use in the classroom...all the way up to 12th grade. Parents will love this just as much as the students.

We purchased this book for our 7 year old daughter who loves dogs. She had a dog themed birthday party this year, and we thought this book would be fun for her to receive. She was so exited to receive this book and CD. I was amazed at how cute the pictures and songs were - this purchase was worth every penny!!! She listens to the CD every day - and now wants to listen to it when she is going to sleep every night!! THe tunes are catchy with humor and fun added in. I recommend this to anyone who has a child that loves animals or dogs!!!!

We just got this book and CD from the library and I am going to buy it to add to our home library. My 3.5 year old daughter was silently entranced for hours- she listened to it cover-to-cover and then grabbed me so we could listen to it together. We got home later and she listened to it again! As a teacher I think the vocabulary is great, the pictures are great and the songs don't make me crazy (as a parent!)

For a man who doesn't own dogs, Kirk sure knows dogs. The poems, all written from dogs' points of view, are clever and insightful. The CD of all 22 poems set to music is a hoot. The vocals and sound recording are not exactly Grammy-worthy, but there's little doubt that both singers and musicians were having fun. The wide range of music styles (zydeco, delta blues, two-steps, pop, folk, etc.) makes the lyrics all the more enjoyable. "Purple Rhinestone Collar" will make you howl and "Your Best Friend" will make you get a lump in your throat.

We've listened to Daniel Kirk's other book/CD combo, Go! over and over and thought this one was worth a try as well. Not a bit disappointed. Kirk does it again with amusing lyrics, and novel perpectives on the familiar. Always looking for books that are not entirely predictable, while also staying within the bounds of familiarity that all kids seem to crave. They recognize their own experiences here, but they also get a new take on things at the same time. But best of all the music is loads of fun for the kids and great for adult ears too. If you like Dan Zanes you'll like Daniel Kirk as well.

We borrowed this from the library initially. Now I am buying it as a Christmas gift. My 6yo son and 8yo daughter love it! They sing the songs all the time and wanted to listen to the CD every day when we borrowed it.

This book was described as being in good condition. It is actually in fair condition. The cover shows that the book has been through a lot of wear. Not totally pleased with this purchase.

Like having a cup of steaming coffee with a dear friend, John Fox's words,rich and strong, wake you up and add a new flavor to your work whether you are a first time poet or have written for years. FINDING WHAT YOU DIDN'T LOSE is a must have book to share with your students, colleagues, and writing groups. As a teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed the hands on experience: examples, suggestions, quotations, and hints. Filled with truthtelling that connects like caffeine straight to the heart, John Fox helps you find your way home to the poet within.

For anyone who loves discovering the inner creativity of oneself, this is the book for you. I have had this book for a couple of years and I find it interesting everytime I sit down and realize another poem. Every teacher should own a copy. Children would benefit from its teachings.

"Finding What You Didn't Lose: Expressing Your Truth and Creativity Through Poem-making" was my introduction to the field of poetry therapy. Although I have added many poetry therapy texts to my library since acquiring Mr. Fox's book, I still consider "Finding What You Didn't Lose" the premiere text. It is comprehensible; full of useful and thoughtful ideas; and beneficial for anyone seeking to cultivate healing in themselves or others. I am currently undergoing professional training in poetry therapy and find myself returning again and again to Mr. Fox's book. Also, when introducing people to the field of poetry therapy, I always recommend Finding What You Didn't Lose as a foundational text.

When I was younger, I wrote poetry all of the time, but it was a very intimate, secret self who wrote those poems. As I grew up, I thought that the angst of my earlier days was best bottled away. One day, at 45, I started to develop stress-related illnesses and had to find a way to re-connect with who I really am, find a way to figure out what is real and what is pretense. Enter this book. My earlier poems, luckily still stored away in a file in my home, told me what I used to know, and in writing poems for today, I can celebrate the journey since then.

I wish I could meet the author of this lovingly written adventure/book --he impresses me, through his own poetry and his writing, as someone who can accept people as they are and then gently, patiently, invite them to find their own voice and grow.

I had HICKSON do an open mic/book signing on May 22 and we sold out all his books! I love this guy! He is funny, great to work with and I look forward to bringing him back to do all twelve of our stores in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia!!! If you don't know what HEAT is then you need to get burned by this F I R E!!! HICKSON keep doing what you do best...BURN THE LITERARY WORLD!!!

You got to have this book in your collection! Funny, but realistic.

BOLD AND COLORFUL. rhythmic and musical, HARD, HARSH, chill, easy, reflective, reverent, whatever the mood's intent, every word delivers an IMPACT, an impact that can be seen, heard, felt, tasted, smelled...but its bigger than that. Hickson is taking on illiteracy among inner-city youth. he's providing a platform for self-expression across media. I definitely recommend reading Ghettoheat!

I just finished reading Ghettoheat and I loved it! My favorite is "Niggativity", it's hot and it has a message. I'm also fond of "BabyWoman" and the series of events she encounters. Buy the book.

GhettoHeat is the most honest, graphic and realistic piece of literature that I have read in a while. I would like to first applaude Hickson for having the courage to step forward and be heard. Second, I want to thank him for his colorful words that were so inspiring. I look forward to reading more. {YES brothers do read}.

I lov this book and use it every year at story hours for kids ages 2 and up and we have a great time singing and acting out the book. I even sing it with the one year olds--we just act out the animals as we sing the song!

My favorite memories of this book/song are of my then 2 year old daughter singing "Zoo,zoo, zoo!" in the back of the car whenever she wanted us to sing this together!

If you don't know the tune for this, you can find it on the Peter,Paul and Mary album "Peter Paul and Mommy". In fact, if you look it up here at Amazon you can hear a clip of the song. Sadly, the Tom Paxton recording is out of print.
And don't worry about your voice quality--kids just love it when you sing with them!

My two year old loves this book. I was hoping to find some other books for my daughter by checking reviews from other readers, but no one had any- so I thought I would recommend Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (another sing songy favorite that we have memorized) and Eric Carle's book about Papa getting the Moon (exact title escapes me). The Carle book is a necessity if your child likes the moon like ours does.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R240EISQX24WSR Cullen of CullensAbcs.com reviews this book and gives you ideas on how to use to use it interactively with your child. For you I have more video book reviews, free children videos and free activity idea videos at the CullensAbcs.com website. If you have a children's book you would like me to review and offer ideas on how to use it interactively with children please send an email to CullensAbcs@gmail.com. Also, feel free to to add me, Cullen Wood, as a Facebook friend.

My 4 year old read this book at her daycare and came home asking for it. It is a great book because it is also a song, very appealing to the 4 year old group and makes it easier for her to remember when she is "reading" the book.
The illustraions are very clever and very cute. A book that parents and children alike can read many times without getting tired.
I highly recommend!

I've got this book/song memorized now after having read it millions of times. My children and preschool students LOVE this book. I do too. Great song and fun illustrations. Must have for your home and school library.

This is an excellent book, Great artwork and the poetry sings with all the magic of God's creation, a great book for all ages.

This boook is full of fun colorful poems. I've only seen the the original copy. The only bad thing about it is the pictures which look very 60s and poorly done. Still I love the poems.

This was one of all time favorite books as a child. It's not a story per say, however, its' value lies in its' ability to teach even the youngest of kids about feelings, emotions and "color" through poetry. Each page dedicates itself to a different color and describes the essences and feelings that those colors evoke in us. It's a very useful teaching tool for young children in the primary grades.

This was my absolute favorite book when I was in elementary school. Now that I have 2 small children of my own, I have rediscovered it with them. The poems are soothing to hear on a lazy afternoon and the colors are as fresh as watercolor can get. After reading it to the kids, I go back and indulge myself and read it again. Definitely a rainy day pick!

This slim book was originally published in 1961 and by now, we may safely call it a classic. The title is taken from her poem "What is White?" A series of poems each entitled "What Is--- (Green, Gold, Red, Blue, etc.)" describes in ways you have never thought of what exactly the color is. I have never found the child who was not fascinated by the ideas presented and usually had a few additions of his/her own to add. I always thought this vivid book would bring much pleasure to a blind person who had never "seen" a color. Ms. O'Neill brings the feel, the taste and the mood of each color to a shimmering life of its own.

--the purple feeling

is rather put out.

The purple look is a

Definite pout.

But the purple sound

Is the loveliest thing

It's a violet opening

In the spring.

If you enjoy Edward Gorey's work, you'll enjoy this. Both drawings and text have been crafted with exquisite precision and wit.

In this sequel to "The Haunted Tea Cozy," the Bahhum Bug returns to Edmund Gravel and takes him on another journey to ponder over the fates and destinies of others. Upon their return to Gravel's home they calmly await the millennium. After all, will another day make a difference in the lives they just saw?

If you're unacquainted with Gorey, don't start with this - start with Amphigorey. But if you've already got the EG bug, here's another must for the library. This sequel of sorts (in as much as anything can truly be linked to anything else by EG), is a delight that will get you snickering everytime you put marmalade on your aubergine.

The following facts should be made clear immediately. There is not, in spite of the title, a single bust in this book (to say nothing of headlessness). There is not even, I might go so far as to say, much of a plot. But what there is lives in superb Gorey glory. The best way to approach this book is to consider it a sequel to Gorey's "The Haunted Tea-Cosy" (which actually did include a cosy of spectral proportions). Our heroes, Mr. Edmund Gravel and the Bahhumbug have finished saying goodbye to the last of their guests for the evening. Ah, but a creature soon comes to spirit our protagonists, "from place to place, where there is shame, also disgrace". The story uses such delightful and little heard words as "druthers" and "aubergine" while telling the lightly lamentable tales of a host of people. Each situation is privy to a little four line poem in the style of a-b-a-b. The subtitle of this book was "A Melancholy Meditation on the False Millennium" and by the book's end both the Bahhumbug and Mr. Gravel sit, drink their tea, and think about the new Millennium (looks of horror clearly plastered on their faces). This being one of Gorey's later works, we can't criticize it too severely. Mr. Gorey had a style all his own and there is a plot here, buried as it may be. If you're partial to Fellini-esque tales of woe, you will like this book. If not, best that you pick up a copy of something entirely different (like "Betsy-Tacy" or "Goodnight Moon") and leave this book to those who would enjoy it better.

Edward Gorey died in the Hyannisport Hospital on April 18, 2000 from heart failure. On April 23, 2000, Charles Osgood on "Sunday Morning" (CBS) aired a final interview with Gorey and gave a short memorial to him. Gorey final interest featured finials, and his final stuffed creation was the figbash. Gorey's first work was THE UNSTRUNG HARP (1953) and THE HEADLESS BUST (1999) appears to be his terminal one unless he has left some manuscripts for posthumous publication. Let's hope that he did. He's gone, but he is now draped with the robe immortality and on his way to take his place in the Pantheon of Literature next to Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll. A fitting poem for his mausoleum would be one by Walter Hamilton: "I never had a piece of toast, Particularly long and wide, But fell upon the sanded floor, And always on the buttered side."

This reader blows away any of Kerouac's work, in my opinion. Huncke was the first to coin the phrase "beat," and also the first to turn on Burroughs to morphine. He's really where Beat started. The book is very interesting, especially in the fact that it is composed mostly of journal-type entries. He writes as he probably spoke: full of slang terms of the time that other authors leave out.

This is a wonderful glance into Huncke's world and the workings of his singular, unique mind.

Herbert Huncke was the true beat. As WS Burroughs wrote, in The Herbert Huncke Reader, "Huncke had adventures and misadventures that were not available to middle-class, comparatively wealthy college people like...me....Huncke had extraordinary experiences that were quite genuine." The sad true is that Huncke was the type that Burroughs wrote about, but didn't like much. He was real. Burroughs was living on trust-fund money for decades (remember that the $200 a month WSB received from family in the 1950s was equal to thousands of dollars a month now-not a bad way to live). Huncke lived the life that others wrote about, but never live. While Burroughs ate steak and drank fine booze, Huncke was still wandering around Times Square. Read the original beat. He makes the other `beat' writers seem like the middle-class dilatants that many of them were. Huncke never fought for the fame, the fortune, and the boys. He was just a "junkie on the prow." This book is truly hip.

Previously known for using the word "beat" to the fullest, thus inspiring Kerouac for an appropriation of a very hip literary movement, there was more to Huncke than just a "jive" talker. As we know, Huncke was a full time junky (what a rhyme!) who had more of an affect on Burroughs than any other beat writer. Likewise, Huncke spent most of his life helping out on the Burroughs' cannabis farm and taking care of Bill's wife Joan who harnessed a difficult benny habit. In Huncke's early years, growing up in Massachusetts and NYC, he used to entertain the boys at local cafeterias with his succinct yet street jargon-fulled stories; clearly he had a talent for story telling. This story-telling is pretty much what makes up the Herbert Huncke Reader. Starting with Huncke's journal, Herbert gets his feet wet with short-story writing, particularly focusing on introspective work-outs and clever anecdotes. Then the books moves to The Evening Sun Turned Crimson, another introspective composition altho mainly concentrating on structural pieces depicting street life, hanging with the beats, and drugs. Next to Reader introduces Guilty of Everything, a comprehensive series of interviews plus outtakes from other journals. Finally the book closes with Previously Uncollected Material, the chapter says it all. Sometimes moving other times raw and scatological, Huncke writes with a unique style that is easy to comprehend and is inspiring. Although not as transcendent as his contempoaries (Burroughs, Ginsberg, Corso), Huncke's writing should not overlooked as "writings of a drug addict," or "a subordinate Beatnik." Huncke did have talent (most notably with recitations) and has definitely worked to the fullest by publishing what he could, despite his painful heroin addiction and ostracization. In my opinion he's a second Neal Cassady (more of a inspiring icon) and definitely had a major affect on the foremost Beat's writings despite his own sparse collection; that's why I think this Reader is important.

There are few authors I feel everyone should read but no matter who you are Herbert Huncke should be read. He is one of the best storytellers/writers I have had the privilege of reading. His stories of sex, streets, drugs, life and friends bring a humanity to what may be considered by many obscure, degenerate, or just plain disgusting, but Hunckeýs stories I believe are non of these. They are filled with love, beauty, pain and always truth. He takes the reader into a world they donýt always want to enter but when the story is finished we are glad we made the journey and had someone like Huncke by our side as a companion.

Kate Bloomfield, a Canadian teenage girl, records her thoughts and feelings through a series of poems and vignettes. The very first page quickly sets the tone of Kate's story - she announces her arrival to the World, but when she gets no response, her Self celebrates with somersaults. The World had its chance, but now it's Kate's turn! Simple stories, like not being able to eat parsnips or being proud to be Canadian, are mixed with longer portraits of Kate, her friends and family. Kate struggles with becoming a teenager and learning more about her parents and neighbors. The reader gets an intimate portrait of Kate and may discover a kindred spirit.

Kate has already appeared in two book, Kate and Look Through My Window, but Hey World, Here I Am! certainly stands on its own. Little's writing style capture the teenage voice perfectly, without any of the angst or drama found in so many other books with a teen protagonist. Kate is caught between a world where she is old enough to have experience and reflect on her opinions, but still new to the world of adults. Truesdell's illustrations, wobbly black and white drawings, are both silly and sentimental. The drawings interact with the poems, somersaulting around the words. Not only will younger readers find a companion in Kate, they will be introduced to poetry and the short story format.

This is my very favorite book. It was delivered in a very timely fashion and it is so great. The main character grew up in Canada and is Jewish and I'm Hispanic and in Southern California, but I so get her!!! The style that she writes with is so simple, understandable, and creative; it's poetic. It would be a great book to read at bedtime with your child or by yourself.

This is such a great book! It's perfect for any young girl. The book has short poems and stories told from Kate's point of view. It's fun, it's happy and it's sad. It talks about friendship,parents and life. I cannot recommend it enough! I read it when I was in middle school, probably. Rereading it reminds me of how much I enjoyed it. Really a great read for anyone at any age, but will speak to a young girl's inner voice. GET IT!

I purchased this book at a library book fair in the second grade. After one reading, I fell in love with the goofy pictures (I like Kate's hair and messy bedroom) and poetry. It combined poetry and pictures, my two favorite things in a book at that time. Over many years, I have gotten rid of the old books of my childhood, but I have never parted with this one. I take it off the shelf about once a year and read it (since I was seven I've read it ten times). I can empathize with Kate and her love of books, spats with her mother, and her dislike of interpreting poetry. Even though I am not Jewish like Kate, after reading the Diary of Anne Frank like her friend, I felt Jewish too. I also write poetry, but they are usually about my cat and nature. After reading this book many times, my love for Hey World, Here I Am! has never faded.

I was about eight years old when my mom first brought this book home for me. I was so thrilled because I shared the name of the character in the book, Kate. I absolutely devoured the book, enjoying it more for the humor Jean Little displays impeccably in her writing, and the utter appropriateness of Sue Truedell's wonderful illustrations. Later, when I was a teenager, I went back and read the poems again because they seemed to describe the utter tumult and solitude that I felt during such a trying time. Poems like "Today," "Alone," and "Yesterday" capture perfectly feelings and emotions that nobody ever thinks to capture, yet Ms. Little does it in such a fabulous way that one instantly understands just what kind of mood she is describing. Now that I am a young woman, near to having a family of my own, I treasure my battered old copy of this book, nearly worn to pieces from repeated readings. Even today I can still find wisdom in every poem and piece of prose. The writer, Jean Little, is blind; I can only say it has sharpened her other senses and her intuition of basic human emotion powerfully. Bravo!