Brought to life through Roma Karas' simple, vibrant illustrations, this collection of poetry by Lilian Moore offers a loving tribute to small moments in the big city, and to the children who live there. Lilian Moore had a lifetime of experience as an author of books for young readers—and a particular expertise for observing and celebrating life from a child's point of view. In this collection, seventeen poems speak to the joys and everyday wonders of city living, including the hush of a snowy morning, the grandeur of skyscrapers and bridges, the phantom faces reflected in store windows, and the transforming effects of a neighborhood mural painted "on the blank / unwindowed wall" by someone "dreaming / to the slap of a / wet brush." Back matter includes an index of first lines.
Author
Lilian Moore grew up in New York, received a degree in teaching from Hunter College, and did graduate work at Columbia University. She attended college during the Depression, so job opportunities were few. She worked for the Bureau of Educational Research, helping children who could not read in their Reading Clinic. Ms. Moore was also a reading specialist for the New York Board of Education. She trained teachers and did extensive research into reading difficulties. She was the editor of Scholastic's first paperback book club, the Arrow Book Club, beginning in 1957. As she said, "Imagine making it possible for these youngsters to choose and buy good books for the price of comics!" She was an editor at Wonder Books, Thomas Y. Crowell, and contributor to Humpty Dumpty magazine. In addition, Ms. Moore was a founding member of the Council on Interracial Books for Children. Ms. Moore died on July 20, 2004, at the age of 95. She is best known for her poetry and easy-to-read books.
