5 stars for the art! 3 stars for the poetry, which has not aged well for modern readers. Any poem that uses the old timey word for cat (it starts with the letter p) is automatically unreadable for me, I just can't get through it without laughing because I am apparently a middle schooler? Also old poems are usually pretty sexist. But the cut paper! Oh, it's gorgeous. ( )

This picture book serves an introduction to the poetry of Christina Rosetti for the youngest readers. The poems selected are short and easy to understand. They are accompanied by beautiful cut paper collage illustrations. These bright and inviting illustrations are sure to draw in readers; indeed the cover is what initially caught my eye with this book and I was then excited to learn it contained Rosetti's poems. A very brief (one paragraph) summation of Rosetti's life and work is given at the end of the book. ( )

Interesting and diverse poems meet with colorful and artistic illustrations to create a wonderful launch into the world of poetry.

Christina Rossetti embraces a vast variety of topics in her poems, ranging from winds to a pig in a wig to cats and so much more. The poems are relatively simply, four to eight lines, and worded in a meaningful way, yet still simple enough for kids to understand. Some are whimsical, some gentle and others hold a drop of wisdom. It's a lovely collection for first exposures to poetry.

The illustrations are bright and allow the art to whip away with imaginative style. While some scenes are easier to understand than others, favorites are sure to be found. Fantasy flows through the lines and contrasts, allowing the artistic flair to run right along with the poetry. It creates a base for exploration, which young listeners can flip through time and again on their own. ( )