Down by Jim Long's Stage: Rhymes for Children and Young Fish

by Al Pittman, Pam Hall (Illustrator)

A long-cherished children's classic is now back in print! This 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition of the classic children's book is a new illustrated edition. It's time for a new generation of children to enjoy this lighthearted collection of rhymes by the acclaimed poet Al Pittman. All new whimsical illustrations by Pam Hall dance through the pages with a sublime silliness perfectly balancing Pittman's rhymes. Her original work was the Winner of the prestigious Amelia Francis Howard Gibbon Award for best Canadian illustration. The late acclaimed poet and author, Al Pittman, died on August 26, 2001 at the age of sixty-one, after a lengthy illness. He was one of Newfoundland's best contemporary writers. Al built an inte ational reputation over the last 40 years creating award-winning poetry, plays and scripts for radio and television. Some of these include the Borestone Mountain Poetry Award, The Canada Council Arts Award, the Lydia Campbell Award, the Stephen Leacock Centenial Award, The Writer's Alliance Book Award for Poetry and has been inducted into the Arts Council's Hall of Honour. Up until his death he was a Writer in Residence at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Co er Brook, Newfoundland.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Born in St. Leonard's, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Pittman grew up in Corner Brook. He moved to Montreal in 1964 where he began writing poetry and plays, and in 1966 published his first book of poems, The Elusive Resurrection. While in Montreal he was associated with Raymond Fraser and others in editing the literary magazine Intercourse: Contemporary Canadian Writing. From 1968 to 1970, Pittman was a student at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where he befriended fellow poet Alden Nowlan. Pittman moved to St. John's in 1972, where he associated with many of the artists, writers, and musicians active in the city at the time, including Rufus Guinchard and Gerald Squires. In 1973 he co-founded Newfoundland's first publishing house, Breakwater Books, with Pat Byrne, Dick Buehler, Tom Dawe, and Clyde Rose. Pittman continued to write throughout his life, producing many other volumes of poetry, plays, books for children, short stories, songs, magazine articles, and essays, as well as writings for radio, television and film. He eventually returned to his childhood home of Corner Brook, where he co-founded the March Hare, an annual poetry and music festival.

Reviews

[Becky Loader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I now have a totally new perspective on fish. Yes, fish. Cod, haddock, and many other fish I didn't even know existed. Who knew they were poets??

[Loretta Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved this book since I was a child. Every Newfoundland child should have read it and/or have a copy. Beautiful illustrations.

[S D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. So many fish.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this book since I was five

[Shirleyleishmanlives · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most important, influential book of my life. It is a masterpiece. Thank you, Sandra and Richard!

[Sharron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, interesting, laugh-out-loud book, most suitable for Adults and Old Fish, as well. Thank you Breakwater Books for bringing us these treasures from Canada's East Coast, this particular book, witty and wonderful poetry by the one and only Al Pittman, with award winning art.