Children's Books
Picture Book Review: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Reading poetry to kids is a really fun thing, because poetry always seems much cooler to kids than it often does to adults.
We received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review Date: August 12th, 2019
Cover Copy
A treasury of 75 beloved songs, presented as a beautiful illustrated volume of poetry.
Review
Okay so I only vaguely remember this show. I know I’ve seen bits and pieces of it, but I think most of my memory of it comes from later in my life seeing bits of it elsewhere. That said, it’s no wonder I don’t really know any of the melodies. But in this case that doesn’t really detract from it, as these songs are all easily read as poems with their own rhythm to them. And it’s fun to make up our own little melodies to go along with them. As long as we are prepared to mess that all up if we ever actually watch the show and hear the songs!
Reading poetry to kids is a really fun thing, because poetry always seems much cooler to kids than it often does to adults. I don’t read much poetry, for example, despite absolutely loving Shel Silverstein when I was young. So to have poetry books around for Madeline makes me happy because I know she is enjoying them the way I used to as well as rekindling my enjoyment for poetry!
I also really love the illustrations in this book. They’re so fun and colorful and the style is one I really appreciate in kids books. It’s quirky and fun and realistic enough to make you wish you could draw like that while still being child-like enough to give you the hope you may actually be able to draw like that. I’m sure that’s not the same reason why my kids appreciate the artwork, but that’s the case for me.
Kid Ratings
- Font Readability: 10/10
- Kid Engagement: 9/10
- Mommy Engagement: 9/10
