Author Marilyn Singer explains that her poetic creation called a “reverso” is a poem that can be read top to bottom and bottom to top with (quite) a resulting change in meaning. In MIRROR, MIRROR, she explores a collection of fairy tales in this fashion. Does Sleeping Beauty like being asleep, and does the Prince like searching for the illusive princess? Is the arrival of Goldilocks in the Three Bears’ cottage a big deal? Is the Ugly Duckling an optimistic or pessimistic fellow? As Singer and Morton deliver these thought-provoking stories, it’s amazing how the change in line order and inflection creates varying viewpoints of the tale at hand. Each narrator embraces the task and uses intonation, elongation, enthusiasm, sarcasm, and timing to delight the listener. At the close of the production Singer explains reverso poetry in more detail. A must!
Ages 4-6Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2011
Duration: 16 mins
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Narrators John Lithgow and Kate Mulgrew alternately share poems and songs created by Fred Rogers for his long-standing television show. Rogers's messages affirm children and give voice to the myriad feelings, good and bad, that all people feel from time to time. Wonder, joy, questions, exploration, outsides and insides, a new baby, one-of-a-kindness, needs emotional and material are examples of the breadth of Rogers's words. Lithgow's voice has its own richness, reminiscent of Rogers's own. His tone is firm and straightforward. When his voice expresses the anger of a poem, for example, he soon becomes calm as the anger fades. Kate Mulgrew is equally genuine and sets a pace for children's consideration of each message.
(Poetry. 3-8)Pub Date: March 19, 2019
Duration: 1 hr, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781683691808
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Updike’s 12 poems celebrate the changing seasons with images that might catch a child’s eye. His verses, some of which are very lovely, focus on changes in the natural world (from snow to mud to crocuses) and on celebrations that accompany these changes (Christmas, Valentine's, Fourth of July). Each verse ends with a sound image that connects to the month’s poem (such as the sound of fireworks or baseball heard on TV). Updike’s presentation is earnest. While he sometimes overemphasizes line breaks in his poems, he has a kind voice and reads carefully, allowing time for children to enjoy the lovely gem-like illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman.
Ages 4-6Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2004
Duration: 13 mins
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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