In and Out the Window

3.3

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Author(s)

Jane Yolen

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Cathrin Peterslund

Publisher

Philomel Books

Genre(s)

Children's Poetry

Age Range

Release Date

March 12, 2024

ISBN

9780593622513

Buy This Book

The largest single anthology of Jane Yolen's poetry, containing more than one hundred poems for all occasions—with fun black-and-white art throughout.

Our Kitchen
Smells of mornings,
blueberry muffins,
hot chocolate, tea.
It smells of bacon
and of eggs.
It smells of family.

For the first time, legendary author Jane Yolen gathers the largest single anthology of her poetry celebrating childhood. At home or at school, playing sports or practicing music, enjoying the holidays or delighting in each season, Jane Yolen’s masterful collection shows just how lively it is to be a kid. With whimsical artwork by Cathrin Peterslund, this collection of more than one hundred poems is a classic that children are sure to return to again and again.

Editor review

1 review

Fun book of poetry, but misses target audience

August 28, 2024

Overall rating

3.3

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

3.0

Learning Value

3.0

I have mixed feelings about this one.

This is a fun collection of poems, gathered in thematic groups of different places in a child's life, home, play, school, etc. and then sub-grouped inside and outside (Home: Inside, Home: Outside, Play: Inside, Play: Outside...). The illustrations are cute, but old-timey and do not necessarily add to the experience.

Where I really struggle is with the target age, listed as middle-grade. The collection requires the comprehension and attention span of the target age, but the subject matter, illustrations, and writing style are more suited to a younger audience. This would have been a great book for earlier generations of middle grade readers, but today's kids have a maturity level higher than in previous generations.

Overall, I enjoyed it, but through the lens of a parent and librarian I believe it could be reworked a bit to either appeal to its target audience or a younger crowd, but as of now it sits on the cusp of each.