Weather: Poems (An I Can Read Book)

Lee Bennett Hopkins was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on April 13, 1938. As a child Mr. Hopkins read little other than comic books and movie magazines until a teacher inspired in him a love of the theater and of reading. He credits this teacher with his lifelong interest in education.

Mr. Hopkins began teaching sixth grade at a public school in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, in 1960. He enjoyed his job, and in his third year at Westmoreland School in Fair Lawn, he became the school's resource teacher, providing curricular support materials for the elementary school teachers. It was while serving in this position that Mr. Hopkins first used poetry to help children with reading problems.

In 1968 Mr. Hopkins became a curriculum and editorial specialist atScholastic, Inc. His career as a writer soared. More than two dozen of his books were published during his eight-year tenure there. In 1976 Mr. Hopkins left his job at Scholastic in order to become a full-time writer and anthologist.

Mr. Hopkins is widely recognized as the nation's spokesperson for Children's Poetry. He has edited and written numerous books for children as well as several professional texts, including Pauses: Autobiographical Reflections of 101 Creators of Children's Books and Pass the Poetry, Please!, and his column, "Poetry Plus," is a regular feature in Creative Classroom magazine. Mr. Hopkins has been honored with the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion for "lasting contributions to Children's Literature."

Mr. Hopkins served on the Board of Directors of the National Council ofTeachers of English (NCTE) from 1975 to 1978; NCTE Commission on Literature(1982-1985); and NCTE Children's Literature Assembly (1984-1987); andhe twice chaired the NCTE Poetry Award Committee. He is also the donor of both the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, presented by Penn State University, and the Lee Bennett Hopkins/International Reading Association Promising Poet Award.

The recipient of a Christopher Award and the University of Southern Mississippi's Medallion for "lasting contributions to childrens literature," Mr. Hopkins lives in Westchester County and Greenwich Village, New York.

Grade 1-3-A collection of easy-to-read poems that succeeds in rising above limitations on the poetic techniques and vocabulary accessible to its audience. The not-always-rhymed verses are grouped in general categories-sun, wind, and clouds; rain and fog; and snow and ice, with a miscellaneous category at the end, "Weather Together." The poets represented run the gamut from the famous-Carl Sandburg, David McCord, and Ogden Nash-to the unknown. Crayon drawings-double-and full-page scenes as well as vignettes-pull the book together. The dominant colors are pink and orange-more sunny than rainy; in fact, bad weather seems mitigated. There is not much range of feeling in the illustrations, which is consistent with the tone of the poems. The overall impression is of brightness, lightheartedness, and fun-not a bad introduction to poetry, though some might wish for a bit more variation and acknowledgement of nature's majestic and powerful side.
Ruth K. MacDonald, Quinnipiac College, Hamden, CT
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.