We are in for a real treat. I discovered Nancy Willard through this new book of poetry, and she won my heart immediately. Her poems are about everyday ordinary things that we mortals overlook and take for granted. Nancy opens our eyes and helps us to see the wonder all around us. It does not surprise me she also writes for children, for it is with the wonder of the child that she brings her vision to us. Yet her poetry is profound, and to be read and reread, new meanings appearing with each reading. This is a poet's poet, and her writing a study in imagery and a study in life. Thank you, Nancy.

William Blake (whose poetry this book mirrors) runs an inn where we meet angels, rabbits, tigers, a host of interesting characters. It's a great introduction to poetry for the youngest of children. The illustrations are quaint and fit this book perfectly. I can see why it has won the awards it has.

This children's book is dedicated to eighteenth century British poet and artist William Blake. A well-deserved winner of the 1982 Newberry Medal and a Caldecott Honor Book, this work consists of a series of catchy poems with very satisfying and detailed illustrations to complement them.
Each poem has a rhyme scheme of sorts that make them sound clever, especially when read aloud. While each poem addresses a different topic, all the poems relate to each other collectively because they center on the comfortable and cozy William Blake's Inn. Every character and animal appears more than once throughout the book, and they stay at the inn.
One poem that stood out of my mind is entitled "The King of Cats Sends a Postcard to His Wife." The illustration of the poem shows the cat sitting at the breakfast table with William Blake. One part of postcard written by the "King of Cats" said: "Have you set the kittens free?/ Do they sometimes ask for me?/Is our catnip growing tall?/Did you patch the garden wall?" I thought this portion was interesting because it seems as though a cat away from home would be concerned about these sorts of things (if indeed cats possessed human qualities).
I would say that the illustrations are what maintained my interest throughout the book. Each illustration has yellow and tan hues, and some of the backgrounds evoke cartoon-like visions of London in William Blake's time. The illustrations are all very detailed, making it necessary to flip through the book more than once to fully appreciate them.
Although this book is designed for children, I would recommend this book to people of all ages. Although children would not understand the poems due to a somewhat difficult vocabulary, they will enjoy the wonderfully detailed illustrations and smooth rhyme of the poetry. Most adults would appreciate the book as well because of the excellent illustrations and magical poetry that A Visit to William Blake's Inn has to offer.

When I was a child, I read A Visit to William Blake's Inn and it inspired the poet within myself. Now as an adult, I still find the imaginative poetry within this book to permeate my thoughts. The colorful imagery painted within its text matches perfectly to the book's charming illustrations. William Blake's Inn is a must for the collector of prized children's literature.

Nancy Willard brings the often un-American magical realist writing style into the middle of the American Midwest with fascinating results. Fish swim in a river underneath the floor of an old museum and a group of native townspeople lurk on the edge of town, appearing and disappearing seemingly at will. The most magical aspect of Willard's writing, however, is the poetry of her words. Her prose is at once fluid and beautiful, but creates an atmosphere that is simultaneously haunting and comforting. If you are a fan of magical realism, this is a book that is definitely worth seeking.

The Kirkus Review describes the book well. I'll just say that I think it's excellent, having both read it and heard it read by the folks at Recorded Books. Nancy Willard is a much under-appreciated author with a style that's hard to put your finger on. The books feel so pure, and are so goodhearted, that they're wonderful for both adults and children.

This book is worth buying for the illustrations alone. Although the story is not terrifically compelling, and some of the words are too difficult for young children, the book as a whole is a pleasure - endless fun for reading aloud, quite enjoyable for adults and children both.

The rhymed verse tells of the woes of Bosch's beknighted housekeeper, who must do all the standard house chores while caring for - and being harrassed by - Bosch's collection of weird creatures. She decamps, but finds she can't live without Bosch or his menagerie. Naturally, they live happily ever after. Some of language here is a little advanced, and most kids will understand the book better if an adult helps read it the first few times through.

The real heart of the book is not the story but the menagerie - the fish with pickle wings, the dandified oven, the three-legged thistles, the assorted dragons and reptiles - that lives all over and through Bosch's house. The illustrations perfectly capture the peculiar creatures, making them oddly appealing as well as just odd, in lovely, richly-colored and highly detailed renderings. The special frame (the work of the artists' son) is also wonderful.

So, although the story is a little weak, this book as a whole is a treasure; it's a literate, intelligent work that acts a springboard to fun and imagination for readers of all ages. The hardbound edition makes an excellent gift for adults who are fans of Bosch or just fantasy, as well as for kids who are tired of cute little stories about Squishy-Wishy Squirrel.

This is a magnificently crafted tale, full of whimsy and gorgeously illustrated. It makes a great gift for children as well as adults, of all age groups. You don't even have to be an avid Bosch enthusiast to enjoy the title.

"Once upon a time there was an artist named Hieronymus Bosch who loved odd creatures. Not a day passed that the good woman who looked after his house didn't find a new creature lurking in a corner or sleeping in a cupboard..." So begins Nancy Willard's inventive picture book about this mysterious Dutch painter who filled his canvasses with fantastic and intriguing beings of all shapes and sizes. This poor housekeeper couldn't take it anymore. "I'm quitting your service, I've had quite enough/of your three-legged thistles asleep in my wash,/of scrubbing the millstone you use for a dish,/and riding to shops on a pickle-winged fish." She packs her bags and leaves, but once out on her own, finds she misses all the chaos her employer's imagination brings to life, and comes flying back home on that pickle-winged fish to a happily-ever-after ending..... Ms Willard's clever, rhyming text has a medieval look and feel, and a lyrical cadence that begs to be read aloud. But it's Diane and Leo Dillons' amazing and evocative artwork that really makes this book stand out and sparkle. Youngsters will enjoy poring over and exploring the bold and engaging pictures of two headed dragons, dancing cucumbers, monkeys, and lizards, and beehives in boots... and are sure to find something new and exciting each and every time they open the book. Perfect for kids 5 and older, Pish, Posh, Said Hieronymus Bosch is a creative and entertaining introduction and includes a short biography at the end to complete the story. This is definitely a picture book budding art lovers shouldn't miss.

I wasn't as touched with the story 'The Tale I Told Sasha' as I was with the illustrations. My goodness, the watercolor and sketches were so breathtakingly beautiful the story was easily forgotten.

Have you ever lost something? Then follow a little girl on a magical journey as she chases her small yellow ball over the Bridge of Butterflies, across the Field of Lesser Beasts, through painted trees, to the place where all lost things are found in the enchanting picture book, The Tale I Told Sasha. Nancy Willard explores just how far a young imagination can go on a rainy day, through her writing in this concept book first copyrighted in 1999. The vivid illustrations are the true art in this children's masterpiece, as illustrator David Christiana paints the unimaginable with captivating dimension in brilliant color. Whether the first or five hundredth time through this breathtaking book, The Tale I Told Sasha will reveal something new and deeper in each and every reading. The words, few and powerful, are capable of intriguing children and puzzling adults time and time again. Even the end-sheets of a golden hue and the cutout title page are thoughtfully created and tastefully executed. Williard and Christiana should receive smiles of approval from both young and old, as the truth of all that shadows may hide is revealed in their phenomenal children's picture book, The Tale I Told Sasha.

The poetic and thought provoking adventure that unfolds through the course of this book is quite captivating in and of itself, yet I believe the fantastic watercolors that illustrate the tale are beautiful and eye catching enough to stand on their own, if needs be. Whether you have kids or not, this book is a collectable for anyone who appreciates this kind of creative eye-candy.

This book is a magical tale of a grandmother that enlightens and enthrawls its readers. I highly recommend this book for K-2. It is also an excellent resource for teachers.

This is one of my son's favorite books, and has been since he was less than a year. We'd read it every night at bedtime. It's very magical and sweet and dreamy.

I enjoyed the story of Tom Quick and don't miss the gestapo like orders of George Washington to erase the Deleware Indians from the face of the earth.

"Forgotten Americans" is a worthy attempt to bring back to our collective memory some historical figures who have been tarnished by history or just only briefly mentioned, if at all, in contemporary school books. Randall and Nahra pick their subjects ranging from the settling of the American Colonies to the early twentieth century. Some of the chapters discuss the neglected aspects of famous Americans, Thomas Jefferson and his vacation or Benjamin Franklin's shattered relationship with his Loyalist son, William; other chapters explore early abolitionists, Indian fighters, suffragists, evangelists and other Americans who, although not be remembered, shaped our country. "Forgotten Americans" is a illuminating exploration of our historical backwaters. Recommended.

This book is a wonderful way of learning history. By focusing on very ordinary people (or on forgotten figures) who experienced extraordinary events, Randall has once more demonstrated how studying American history can be both informative and downright fun. I liked it very much. It might lack the depth of his earler works on Arnold, Franklin, Jefferson, and Washington, but it is still worth the read and, in the end, we learn some very interesting stories about our history!

This story reads alot like one of Carl Sandburg's Rootabaga Stories. It's interesting and fanciful with beautiful pictures. An "original folktale" for older children.