Leave Your Sleep

I got online to order the original Leave Your Sleep CD for a friend of mine and found this book...a pleasant surprise. For a newbie to poetry, this is a good, fun introduction; for the poetry lover, the illustrations are engaging and the CD is amazing (I highly recommend the 2-disc CD) - Natalie knows how to bring the poems to life, with poignancy ("If No One Ever Marries Me"...the poet never did marry), great comedy ("It Makes a Change"), or loss ("Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience"). I recommend this book to those interested in introducing poetry to elementary-aged children (maybe around second grade). That being said, if you're the one reading the poetry to the child, then it is never too early to start...my two-year old enjoys the poems in this collection (but maybe not all the pictures, lol). If you don't want another book on your shelf, buy the 2-disc CD...you won't regret it. So back to the book, there are a good number of full-page illustrations (hard to give an exact number, but I'd say 8), and every page has artwork interspersed between the text. I think this would make a great present for a child starting to read poetry; some of the poems might be bit intense for very young children, but the illustrations are all bright and colorful. There are a lot of interesting details for children to examine. Even the "scary" poems have light-hearted drawings - Isabel, who defeats bears, witches, giants and doctors is a little girl with a self-satisfied grin on her face. The sleepy giant is a large, Renaissance-era woman examined like a museum exhibit by curious boys and men while she sleeps. The scariest illustration accompanies "Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience," which features a sail-tattered ship; the ship is offset by an assortment of interesting villagers who come to the harbor. Poems (and songs) included in this book are: - The Land of Nod - The Dancing Bear - The Janitor's Boy - Adventures of Isabel - Bleezer's Ice-Cream - Old Mother Hubbard & Her Dog Revisited - The Blind Men and the Elephant - Topsyturvey-World - It Makes a Change - The Peppery Man - Calico Pie - If No One Ever Marries Me - Equestrienne - The Sleepy Giant - Nursery Rhyme of Innocence and Experience - maggie and milly and molly and may - The King of China's Daughter - Vain and Careless - I Saw a Ship a-Sailing Was hoping that some of my favorite poems (and songs) would make it into this collection (such as the Spanish/flamenco-styled "The Man in the Wilderness" or the dramatic and expansive "Spring and Fall"), but the selection here is very good and likely to appeal to a broad audience...especially children. Natalie touches on several musical styles, culturally (Chinese, deep South, Cajun and klezmer) and chronologically (Renaissance-styling, early Southern American, 1960's British and 1970's American). Overall, a great value and a lovely book to add to a collection. At the very least, get the 2-disc CD! ;-)

Beautiful book and wonderful accompanying CD! I have been a fan Natalie Merchant for decades, so I was thrilled to find these folk-tales and poems set to music in a way that only Natalie Merchant could perform them. This is technically a children’s set, but it’s “kids music” I can actually listen to several times over without feeling like I’m going to lose my mind! The illustrations in the book are gorgeous and the poetry and stories are delightful. I happened upon this book/CD set at our public library and I enjoyed it so much I hopped onto Amazon and bought one for my family and 5 more copies for Christmas gifts for all of my siblings and their families to enjoy, too!

My daughter, (at age 9), really enjoyed the book. I purchased this because my children loved Barbara McClintock’s Adele et Simon and because I loved the 10,000 Maniacs in high school. We didn’t listen to the CD that was included, but heard the poems on the Natalie Merchant Leave Your Sleep two-disc CD. I think it really makes poetry easier to love when you can see beautiful illustrations and hear wonderful music. My daughter gives this five stars.

I believe Natalie Mechant is a musical prodigy. I've been a big fan since around 1990, and as always, Natalie does not disappoint with this wonderful book. It is of excellent quality and the illustrations are awesome along with the poetry. A CD is included, and while many of the songs are from the "Leave Your Sleep" album, I think a few are newer or at least remixed...either way its definitely worthwhile...especially at such a low price. When you've had a hard day at work, or from the rat race of life, do what I do...find a quiet place to disappear to and bring some of Natalie's many prodigious works.! :)

I bought 3 books as Xmas present for my sister's kids (5 and 10 years old) and couple of my friends whose kids are of the same age range.They loved it! My sister will read it to them before bedtime and play the accompanying CD when they are in car . I have the original Leave Your Sleep CD which I listen constantly and when the book came out, I was excited to share it with kids that are closed to me. My friends was in so much delight that they finally can listen to a CD that both parents and kids can enjoy. One time a friend of mine caught her daughter reading and looking the picture of the book past her bedtime with a flashlight. She said, her daughter was fascinated with the pictures that she keep the book next to her nightstand. Natalie Merchant as an artist influences my love for music and poetry dearly. Her music with poetic lyricism and the music she compose for those poem of the famous and obscure artist in her album gave them life. For an artist to accomplish such task is pure talent. This book and CD is a gift to the fans and poetry loving people.

A sweet poetry book. Beautifully illustrated. The edition I purchased included a full length cd (however their is a two pack cd that is complete purchased separately). This is something that my little one and I will enjoy for a long time. The back of the book includes pictures and bits of information about the poets.

I bought this book for me as i've got Natalie Merchant record. the illustrations are really good, i felt really exited about reading the poems and listening to the song. This is also a great book for kids, i've given one to my nephew and he loves it! no words to describe the fantastic music production behind the record.

I loved the CD, Leave Your Sleep, after it's release, and now the book (with a cd incld.)......wonderful! Beautifully illustrated-what a gem! I bought one for myself and will now order more as Christmas gifts, esp. for few kids in my family, and hopefully will provide them with a great introduction into poetry-visually & thru music. Something more enriching- holistically, then their typical "screen" gifts. A work of art, and labor of love.

Amazing! Amazing art, beautiful and funny poetry made into stellar songs by Natalie Merchant.....come on!? Win win. A very underrated creation.

wer sich für englischsprachige Literatur und für Kinderbücher interessiert und weiters einen Hang zu musikalischen Balladen etc hat ist hier richtig; Ein Erlebnis für Herz Hirn und Ohr

Cd con una musica raffinatissima e la meravigliosa voce della Merchant, mentre il libro ha una piacevolissima grafica vintage. Prezzo invitante e quindi acquistato tra i prodotti nuovi. Peccato che la confezione non fosse sigillata e la sovraccoperta del libro anche un poco sgualcita. Un reso di qualche cliente precedente?

This is a delightful book of children's poems; many unknown. The CD with Natalie Merchant singing some of the words is beautiful. A superb gift for a family with small children.

Love it!