Rafael Alberti y los niños (Rafael Alberti and the children)

By staff -- Críticas, 12/15/2007

Gr 2 Up–This creative anthology presents one poem for each letter of the alphabet, starting with A for Alberti and B for Blanco. González does an excellent job at interlacing Alberti’s work, prose and verse, with parts of his life. Using brown ink for the author’s words and black for the poet’s, the color coding helps young readers identify the work of each writer. The featured selections show Alberti’s great love of nature, his ingenious humor, and his deep desire for peace. Next to each poem, an abstract watercolor illustration sets the mood. This book will appeal to poetry lovers of all ages, although primary students may need help interpreting some of the ideas. Recommended for school and public libraries as well as bookstores, this anthology is an excellent support for poetry curriculum.—Betsy Duarte Shepard, Wakefield Middle School, Tucson, AZ