In the Land of Words: New and Selected Poems

In the Land of Words: New and Selected Poems by Eloise Greenfield, Illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist Amistad/HarperCollins, January 2004 $16.99, ISBN 0-060-28993-7 Ages 4-8

"A minute ago, Mama tried to tease;/'John, come look! A dancing cheese!/I didn't laugh, I didn't look./My head is buried in my book."

In a poem called "I Don't Care," awardwinning poet and children's author Eloise Greenfield describes the wonderment of children who, having learned to read, have found a fabulous new world to explore: the "land of words."

This vibrantly illustrated sampler is Greenfield's answer to children who ask her where her words come from, and she prefaces many poems with just such explanations. This valuable information about the creative process will enhance the enjoyment of "The New Baby Poem," "Nathaniel's Rap," "Making Friends," and "Way Down in the Music."

The collection provides an excellent introduction to poetry for young people who are just beginning to read on their own with, perhaps, just a bit of help with the explanations. Jan Spivey Gilchrist's artwork is a delight.

-E.V.W.