My mother and I have always believed that poems, songs, and lullabies have the power to transform into family treasures. Poetry, in particular, is the perfect shared family experience – as a “read-aloud” it can be one of the best ways to introduce young people to the joys of reading. Great poems make children want to read – they give us a vision of beauty and joy in the world, and an awareness of the richness and power of language.
We are therefore very excited about our most recent collaboration, a new treasury entitled “Julie Andrews Collection of Poems, Songs and Lullabies.” Brimming with classics from the likes of Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein, as well as contemporary poetry and even song lyrics from Rodger’s and Hammerstein to Stephen Sondheim, this collection includes nearly 150 of our family’s “favorite things,” or treasures. There’s even a few of our own poetic offerings, as well as some by our fathers and grandfathers, and an accompanying CD that features twenty-one of our favorites from the book.
Beautifully illustrated by James McMullan, Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poem, Songs, and Lullabies is a reflection of our belief that poetry can change how we view and interact with our world. Between each of the nine themed sections, we share personal stories that we hope will encourage families to cultivate their own treasured memories through sharing the gifts of poetry.
We need a little gentleness and beauty in this crazy world right now. We’re yearning for peace, for joy, for clarity – and that’s just what poetry offers. It’s a vacation for the heart, a breath of fresh air in the midst of our multi-media, mad-frantic world. It soothes the soul. As one of the poems in the book by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers says: “Keep a poem in your pocket… and you’ll never feel lonely.”
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Also Available in Audio (ISBN 9781600247583)
Julie Andrews Collection of Poems, Songs and Lullabies is also available as an audiobook published by Hachette Audio! This deluxe audio anthology features unabridged selections on two CD’s, read by Mom and I and accompanied by original music composed and performed by Ian Fraser.
