The Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family

by John Lithgow

Overview

A gorgeous collection of classic poems that the whole family will enjoy, thoughtfully chosen by actor John Lithgow.

From listening to his grandmother recite epic poems from memory to curling up in bed while his father read funny verses, award-winning actor John Lithgow grew up with poetry. Ever since, John has been an enthusiastic seeker of poetic experience, whether reading, reciting, or listening to great poems.

The wide variety of carefully selected poems in this book provides the perfect introduction to appeal to readers new to poetry, and for poetry lovers to experience beloved verses in a fresh, vivid way. William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Dylan Thomas are just a few names among Lithgow's comprehensive list of poetry masters. His essential criterion is that "each poem's light shines more brightly when read aloud." This unique package provides a multimedia poetry experience with a bonus MP3 CD of revelatory poetry readings by John and the familiar voices of such notable performers as Eileen Atkins, Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, Billy Connolly, Jodie Foster, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Lynn Redgrave, Susan Sarandon, Gary Sinise, and Sam Waterston.

Every reader will enjoy reciting or listening to these poems with the entire family, appreciating how each one comes to life through the spoken word in this superlative poetry collection.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780446501996
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	11/15/2007
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	580,144
File size:	340 KB

About the Author

John Lithgow is a two-time Tony Award winner, two-time SAG Award winner, two-time Academy Award nominee, and four-time Grammy Award nominee. He has worked extensively on Broadway and in film, and is perhaps most widely known for his role on 3rd Rock from the Sun, for which he also received a Golden Globe and an American Comedy Award. He is also a national bestselling children's author. He teamed up with Broadthink to launch The Lithgow Palooza Company, which promotes his original projects for children. He encourages you to visit his website at www.lithgowpalooza.com. You can visit our website at www.hachettebookgroupusa.com.

Editorial Reviews

A longtime reader and listener of poetry, actor Lithgow has carefully selected 50 poems, written in English from the Middle Ages to modern day, and presented them in alphabetical rather than chronological order. The result is some interesting contrasts; for example, Gertrude Stein follows Edmund Spenser. Designed to appeal mostly to those new to poetry, this book focuses on well-known poems from such notables as Geoffrey Chaucer, William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Ezra Pound. Not forgetting the children, Lithgow also includes Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky" and Edward Lear's "The Owl and the Pussycat." The clearly articulated reading by Lithgow, as well as such "special guests" as Susan Sarandon, Sam Waterston, Morgan Freeman, and Kathy Bates, underscores the importance of poetry being spoken. Lithgow introduces each selection with a short biography of the poet and then follows with an insightful, often personal commentary. This collection will delight listeners, both those new to the genre and those looking for their favorites presented in a fresh, new format.
—Nancy R. Ives

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School Library Journal

What happens when you combine the important works of 50 stellar poets with actors as diverse as Jodie Foster, Billy Connolly, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Lynn Redgrave, Gary Sinise, and Sam Waterston (to name but a few) and commentary from actor, writer, and poetry lover John Lithgow? You get an outstanding audio presentation that truly matches its billing as “The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family.” Lithgow assembled works from 50 poets, including Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot, Ogden Nash, Emily Dickinson, William Blake, and Edgar Allan Poe, and matched them to the actors. The fit is perfect! The icing on this poetic cake is Lithgow’s expressive commentary before and after each poem. The only negative—the lack of liner notes listing the poet, poem, and actor. While these gifted actors each give a wonderful performance, it would be enormously helpful to have such a reference. M.R.E. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

FEB/MAR 08 - AudioFile