POEMS FOR FATHERS

by Myra Cohn--Ed. Livingston ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 1989

Of these 18 poems, 13 were commissioned from poets whose names are familiar, including Lucille Clifton, X.J. Kennedy, and Lillian Morrison; the remaining are even more familiar--e.g., McCord and Carroll. Meanwhile, the poems are more about fathers than for them; and though they include some notably funny verse (especially Ciardi's ""Mummy Slept Late and Daddy Fixed Breakfast"") and the expected, sometimes mundane, shared experiences, several are bittersweet--like the editor's poignant entry (""never knew/you were/unhappy/only knew I love you/Daddy"")--or reflect contemporary themes (Martha Robinson's ""My Jose"" is a stepfather; Tony Johnston's ""Christmas Wish"" is for an absent Dad; and Deborah Chandra's ""Daddy's Gone"" begins with an angry parental quarrel). A good, unstereotypical assortment; Casilla's illustrations are serviceable but not special.

Pub Date: April 15, 1989

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Holiday House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1989

Categories: CHILDREN'S