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I Like This Poem: A Collection of Best-Loved Poems Chosen by Children for Other Children
I LIke This Poem is a classic collection of children's poems from Puffin Books. Highwaymen and naughty children, sharks and baboons, the Snitterjipe and the Jabberwocky, all have their part to play. Each and every poem in this treasure chest of family favourites was chosen by a child for other children. With poems from William Wordsworth and Christina Rosetti to Roald Dahl and Michael Rosen, there really is something for everyone. Classics to savour and new favourites to discover! This is a classic anthology to treasure forever. Kaye Webb became Editor of Puffin Books in 1961. During the 1960s and 1970s her instinct and flair resulted in the addition of many outstanding titles to the Puffin list, and in 1967 she launched the highly successful Puffin Club, now the Puffin Book Club. She was widely known for her remarkable contribution to children's books, and was awarded the MBE in 1974. She retired from Puffin 1979, but continued her involvement with children's books. Kaye Webb died in January 1996.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 4, 2020
This is a great poetry book because it caters for primary children of all ages and every poem in the book was specifically chosen by children for children. It is split into age groups so that teachers can identify which poems would be suitable for each class.
Each poem is followed by an entry from a child detailing their thoughts on it, providing a deeper connection between the child, the teacher and the poem. The book features a wide variety of popular children;s poets such as Charles Causley, Spike Milligan and Michael Rosen.
When using this book with a class I would encourage children to identify and talk about their favourite poems in the text, giving reasons and examples of why. This could lead to creating our own class poetry book where each child brings in their favourite poem, shares them with the rest of their peers and then I would compile these into a book.
Each poem is followed by an entry from a child detailing their thoughts on it, providing a deeper connection between the child, the teacher and the poem. The book features a wide variety of popular children;s poets such as Charles Causley, Spike Milligan and Michael Rosen.
When using this book with a class I would encourage children to identify and talk about their favourite poems in the text, giving reasons and examples of why. This could lead to creating our own class poetry book where each child brings in their favourite poem, shares them with the rest of their peers and then I would compile these into a book.
June 18, 2024
every page holds a memory.
September 6, 2019
A good poetry book with a good range of poems. Each section of the book is split into categories for different age ranges. This book would be helpful for teachers because they would know which books are appropriate for the age range of their class.
March 23, 2013
I Like This Poem; I Love This Book!
The International Year of the Child - What's that? It seems nowadays that the idealism of the 1979 UN proclamation, along with UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, have been consigned to history, something quaint for collectors of stamps and other memorabilia. As the editor of "I Like This Poem," Kaye Webb, points out, there is always a poem to console us, to give us hope.
"I Like This Poem" was truly a labor labor of love, if you would excuse the cliche. Although Ms. Webb's name appears on the cover, it was her idea and will to have children in age groups, from Age 6 through 15, to select their own favorite poems. She did all the hard, less glamourous work of compiling the children's favorites and doing all the tedious paperwork in securing the rights to publish them. She went a step further, giving each child his or her say in why a particular poem is a favorite, a major part of the charm of the book.
Divided into sections by age group, children from a wide geographic area have selected poems, some funny and some serious but all that speak from the heart. What is interesting is that a good number of poems have been chosed from "adult" poets, such as William Shakespeare, James Joyce, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Walt Whitman, and Langston Hughes, just to name a few. Of course, there entries by Lewis Carrol, Roald Dahl, Eve Merriam, Robert Louis Stevenson, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Ogden Nash - again, the sheer variety makes this book an intersting read for young and old(er) alike. All this goes to prove that children can never be too young for classic "adult" poetry and adults and never be too young for "children's" poetry. The best poems, as I have said, speak from the hear, to all of us and appeal to all our humanity.
As this book was first published in 1979, you will not find the current classic humorous "children's" poetry from the likes of Shel Silverstein, Jeff Moss, Bruce Lansky, Jack Prelutsky, and Douglas Florian. That's OK - there are many fine collections by these poems on the market today. That said, a few notable writers are absent, especially those from non-English-speaking countries. For example, I would have loved to have seen at least one poem by Federico Garcia Lorca. Also missing are Emily Dickinson and Christina Rosetti, both of whom produced numerous fine pieces that would appeal to children. But the collection presented here offers a great deal to be savored.
Now, why did I mention the 1979 UN International Year of the Child? According to various sources, this anthology was compiled in honor of the world's recognition of the dignity of the child. This book does an admirable job toward that goal; it is, therefore, a mystery as to why the publisher does not mention this important fact anywhere in the front matter. The UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child, upon which the IYC is based, was inspired by Janusz Korczak, a Polish educator and pediatrician who cared for orphaned children and ultimately died with them at the Nazi death camp of Treblinka in 1942. Dr. Korczak wrote many books on the dignity of children, including "How to Love a Child" and "The Child's Right to Respect." By allowing the children to select their favorite poems, Kaye Webb book honors both these ideals. This is indeed an anthology to treasure.
The International Year of the Child - What's that? It seems nowadays that the idealism of the 1979 UN proclamation, along with UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, have been consigned to history, something quaint for collectors of stamps and other memorabilia. As the editor of "I Like This Poem," Kaye Webb, points out, there is always a poem to console us, to give us hope.
"I Like This Poem" was truly a labor labor of love, if you would excuse the cliche. Although Ms. Webb's name appears on the cover, it was her idea and will to have children in age groups, from Age 6 through 15, to select their own favorite poems. She did all the hard, less glamourous work of compiling the children's favorites and doing all the tedious paperwork in securing the rights to publish them. She went a step further, giving each child his or her say in why a particular poem is a favorite, a major part of the charm of the book.
Divided into sections by age group, children from a wide geographic area have selected poems, some funny and some serious but all that speak from the heart. What is interesting is that a good number of poems have been chosed from "adult" poets, such as William Shakespeare, James Joyce, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Walt Whitman, and Langston Hughes, just to name a few. Of course, there entries by Lewis Carrol, Roald Dahl, Eve Merriam, Robert Louis Stevenson, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Ogden Nash - again, the sheer variety makes this book an intersting read for young and old(er) alike. All this goes to prove that children can never be too young for classic "adult" poetry and adults and never be too young for "children's" poetry. The best poems, as I have said, speak from the hear, to all of us and appeal to all our humanity.
As this book was first published in 1979, you will not find the current classic humorous "children's" poetry from the likes of Shel Silverstein, Jeff Moss, Bruce Lansky, Jack Prelutsky, and Douglas Florian. That's OK - there are many fine collections by these poems on the market today. That said, a few notable writers are absent, especially those from non-English-speaking countries. For example, I would have loved to have seen at least one poem by Federico Garcia Lorca. Also missing are Emily Dickinson and Christina Rosetti, both of whom produced numerous fine pieces that would appeal to children. But the collection presented here offers a great deal to be savored.
Now, why did I mention the 1979 UN International Year of the Child? According to various sources, this anthology was compiled in honor of the world's recognition of the dignity of the child. This book does an admirable job toward that goal; it is, therefore, a mystery as to why the publisher does not mention this important fact anywhere in the front matter. The UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child, upon which the IYC is based, was inspired by Janusz Korczak, a Polish educator and pediatrician who cared for orphaned children and ultimately died with them at the Nazi death camp of Treblinka in 1942. Dr. Korczak wrote many books on the dignity of children, including "How to Love a Child" and "The Child's Right to Respect." By allowing the children to select their favorite poems, Kaye Webb book honors both these ideals. This is indeed an anthology to treasure.
May 28, 2012
An excellent selection of poems from both famous and unrecognised poets. With a variety of poems tackling a number of themes, children of all ages will surely find one in this collection that appeals to them whatever thier mood.
Importantly is the mix of both comic and more serious, thought-provoking poems. Some absolute classic children's poems and a variety of refreshingly new poems by a number of up and coming poets.
An anthology that is better described as a treasure chest of children's poetry.
Importantly is the mix of both comic and more serious, thought-provoking poems. Some absolute classic children's poems and a variety of refreshingly new poems by a number of up and coming poets.
An anthology that is better described as a treasure chest of children's poetry.
March 29, 2013
First published in 1979 this was my favourite book as a child - 34 years on I still have the same dog eared copy with pages cellotaped together (and I still take it down from the shelf when I need cheering up).
It has no doubt been updated with yet more great verse in the later version but I am too attached to my original copy to buy the updated one!
Highly recommended for children and adults alike :-)
It has no doubt been updated with yet more great verse in the later version but I am too attached to my original copy to buy the updated one!
Highly recommended for children and adults alike :-)
August 11, 2021
This was my mum's book when she was a kid and she gave it to me. She had to make her own cover because the original one fell off and all the pages are held together with sticky tape because they would fall out otherwise. Reading through it was beautiful with so many different types. Having them selected by kids makes it really nice.
January 26, 2024
This was such an easy, joyful, and cosy read. My first ever poetry book :) it is filled with all kinds of poems from all kinds of poets (or authors.) there were 2 or 3 poems that I absolutely ADORED in this book.
There were so many different topics and it was just a great read overall. I think this is the book that is really getting me into poetry. Wonderful🙌!
There were so many different topics and it was just a great read overall. I think this is the book that is really getting me into poetry. Wonderful🙌!
September 2, 2015
This book was given to me as a child. I love it and the poems have stayed with me, as has the somewhat tattered book. I now recite poems to my child, poor thing!
February 19, 2022
A nice collection of poems and comments from children about what they like about each poem.
September 22, 2019
A good selection of classic poetry that clearly identifies different age range categories and different levels. This has a mix of some funny and some serious poems that makes it appropriate for many themes across the classroom. My favourite was ‘oh I wish I’d look after my teeth’. This would be a fun poem to use in a science lesson to show the importance of keeping a healthy mouth! But I also enjoy the rhyming pattern throughout which would be great to look at in an English lesson
July 9, 2022
I don't love poems, but I've had this since I was maybe 4? I'd never read past the first section. But now I can apriciate the poems and enjoy them.
English lessons sort of ruins it though, having to analyse each line as I read it.
Short an sweet, not the best.
No reread I'm afraid.
English lessons sort of ruins it though, having to analyse each line as I read it.
Short an sweet, not the best.
No reread I'm afraid.
July 23, 2022
Published in aid of the International Year of the Child. It includes the daft "My name is Sluggery-Wuggery" by Pauline Clarke which we enjoyed when my elder son was 3 or so, and my favourite Michael Rosen poem " I've had this shirt".
March 31, 2025
A wonderfully eclectic collection of poetry.
May 24, 2017
A nice collection of poems, some of my favourites are included in this book.
November 18, 2012
I Like This Poem is a book complied of many different poetry stories for children. The selection of books can vary for all ages of children ranging from six years up until even fourteen and fifteen years. The book covers many themes and subjects, so this would be a good choice for your classroom so you can please every child, and they can even look through it and find something they would like. This book also has poems that cover different emotions like, sad, comical, serious and thought-provoking. After revisiting the book I Like This Poem, I realized that when I was in kindergarten, this was the book that my teacher read out of every day. This book would be an excellent choice to use in a classroom because it has variety on many different levels, and it is one that you can revisit and pull your favorite poems from.
November 21, 2012
“I Like This Poem” is a book complied of many different poetry stories for children. The selection of books can vary for all ages of children ranging from six years up until even fourteen and fifteen years. The book covers many themes and subjects, so this would be a good choice for your classroom so you can please every child, and they can even look through it and find something they would like. This book also has poems that cover different emotions like, sad, comical, serious and thought-provoking.
After revisiting the book “I Like This Poem”, I realized that when I was in kindergarten, this was the book that my teacher read out of every day. This book would be an excellent choice to use in a classroom because it has variety on many different levels, and it is one that you can revisit and pull your favorite poems from.
After revisiting the book “I Like This Poem”, I realized that when I was in kindergarten, this was the book that my teacher read out of every day. This book would be an excellent choice to use in a classroom because it has variety on many different levels, and it is one that you can revisit and pull your favorite poems from.
July 18, 2017
I won this book for getting first place in a poetry competition in my school that everyone was made to enter and I didn't really take an I treat in poetry but I had to so I wrote a poem (Limerick) about Greyfriars Bobby and cos I had sic a lack of interest I actually handed mines in late so I was soo surprised when I won first place but after reading this book I began to like poetry and It's great because it's got poems for people of all ages and by so man amazing poets and authors from Roald Dahl to Michael Rosen which is great cos I actually got to meet Michael Rosen who is such a funny and nice person great book if poems
January 18, 2010
I got this for my niece's 6th birthday, but will need to buy myself a copy. This is a delightful collection of poems nominated by children from the Puffin Club in the 1970s. They're laid out for ages 6 to 15 and each is accompanied by a brief comment from the boy or girl. Some of these are old favourites of mine, like Noyes The Highwayman; some are new, but they're all good poems, classical and contemporary. Highly recommended.
August 29, 2012
Some old favorites and some delightful new finds. Who knew there was a poem called "Oh I Wish I'd Looked after me Teeth"? This collection isn't childish (although there's plenty of humor), but contains a strong sampling of shorter classic poems that have vivid imagery, propulsive meter, and memorable subjects.
December 26, 2014
Our copy is so well read most of the pages are now falling out, but we do love it. The book is separated into poems for 7, 8, 9 all the way to 15 year olds, and cover a wide range of styles, themes and tones, from Spike Milligan and Edward Lear to WH Auden and Shakespeare. And Izzie has a new favourite poem, The Puddock by JM Caie, guaranteed to pull her out of the all bar the worst strop.
June 26, 2012
I was given an edition of this as a child.
It is a collection of poems chosen by children (varying in age from 6 to 15) and includes a variety of poems suited to each age group from simple, and light weight to more mature and more complex...
It is a collection of poems chosen by children (varying in age from 6 to 15) and includes a variety of poems suited to each age group from simple, and light weight to more mature and more complex...
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May 25, 2009I have had this book since childhood and although I have re-visited some of the poems on several occasions I have not yet read every single one of them, something I hope to rectify fairly soon.
March 15, 2013
I grew up on this poetry book. It's a truly wonderful collection of poems that has compelled me to writing my own. I love every poem I read. :D
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews