Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost Illustrator: Susan Jeffers
Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers on September 24, 2001 (first published 1978)
Genres: Picture Book, Poetry
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
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In this picture book version of Robert Frost's classic poem, Susan Jeffers adds exactly the right visual dimension with the exquisite details and sweeping backgrounds of her frosty New England scenes. There are animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his "promises to keep" exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter.
My mom and I were at the bookstore the other day looking for Christmas gifts and ran across this lovely little book. Happily, she bought it. I’m not sure if she’s keeping it or giving it to my niece, but either is a good choice.
I love introducing kids to classics before they can think they’re boring. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost is perfect for the season.
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Susan Jeffers illustrations are beautiful and cold with bits of color. It’s a perfect read aloud book, one to take your time with, appreciate the rhythm and rhyme of the poem, the quietness of the book. It’s not a bounce-around, toe-tapping kind of poem that many kids books are, but I think it’ll still cast a bit of a spell.
About Robert Frost
Robert Lee Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963) was an American poet. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and philosophical themes. One of the most popular and critically respected American poets of the twentieth century, Frost was honored frequently during his lifetime, receiving four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1960 for his poetical works. On July 22, 1961, Frost was named Poet Laureate of Vermont.
I love that book and that poem! It’s one of the pens I nearly know by heart and cherish! I am off to buy that book!
That was supposed to say poems that was typed as poems and SC changed it!
You made me buy this book! Thank you! I got it through your Amazon link!
I hope you enjoy it! (And thanks for using my link.)
It’s beautiful – I love it – may need it for myself…
LOVE Robert Frost!
Ohhh lovely
What a great gift! I love Robert Frost 🙂
I’m seventy-five, retired, and no longer teaching kindergarten. I used this book every January with my kindergartners – they were thoroughly enchanted with the illustrations (I taught in the south, where snow was uncommon). The verse became an old-school memorization/recitation project – most of my kindergartners memorized this and were thrilled with the opportunity to recite this before their classmates, families and other classes in our school. We need more recitation of poetry in our schools…kindergartners are quite capable going beyond Mother Goose (which, of course, was part of our kindergarten literacy offerings). We spent January learning this poem, making giant paper snowflakes and suspending them on string from the ceiling grid – the kids loved the magic of a paper snowflake snowstorm. We had a seasonal winter party with paper plates featuring snow people, hot chocolate and marshmallow “snow floats”, Russian teacakes with confectioners sugar (snowball cookies), and snow cake (gingerbread sprinkled with powdered sugar). I remember most adults being impressed with the kids’ memory/recitation skills, thinking little ones aren’t terribly capable of such! My students proved them wrong! Great memories!