Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies
Grade 2 Up—Through sections entitled "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "Accentuate the Positive," and "Leisure" (the proper pronunciation rhymes with pleasure), Andrews relates her lifelong love of poetry and how she and her daughter, co-selector Hamilton, share this passion. Andrews and Hamilton also contribute several poems. The generous collection includes a nice range of old favorites by Robert Louis Stevenson, Rachel Field, and Christina Rossetti. Recent poets include Frank Asch, Nikki Grimes, and Jack Prelutsky. Many of the songs hail from theater and movie musicals: "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'!" and "My Favorite Things," "Talk to the Animals," and "Feed the Birds." A CD featuring Andrews reading 21 poems is included. This is a warmly sentimental collection, leavened with humor and poignancy, and though it appears marketed toward adults who will purchase it for their home collections, educators and librarians will also embrace it for its sincere advocacy of reading aloud. McMullan's lush watercolor paintings add to the overall appeal of this well-crafted anthology.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CAEND