Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost, Susan Jeffers (Illustrator)

Overview

Ever since it was published in 1978, the picture-book presentation of Robert Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" has been an enduring favorite. For this special edition with a new design, trim size, and three new spreads, Susan Jeffers has added more detail and subtle color to her sweeping backgrounds of frosty New England scenes. There are more 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. The handsome new vellum jacket will attract new and old fans as it evokes a frost-covered windowpane. This celebration of a season makes an ideal holiday gift for a child, a teacher, or a host.

Robert Frost (1874-1963) is one of America's most celebrated poets and a four-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

Susan Jeffers is the illustrator of such distinguished picture books as Three Jovial Huntsmen, a Caldecott Honor Book; Rachel Field's Hitty; and the ABBY Award-winning Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, which was also a New York Times best-seller.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780525467342
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	09/24/2001
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.38(w) x 8.56(h) x 0.41(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Robert Lee Frost was born in San Francisco in 1874. When he was ten, his father died and he and his mother moved to New England. He attended school at Dartmouth and Harvard, worked in a mill, taught, and took up farming, before he moved to England, where his first books of poetry, A Boy’s Will (1913) and North of Boston (1914), were published. North of Boston brought him recognition as the preeminent voice of New England and as one of America’s major poets. In 1915 he returned to the United States and settled on a farm in New Hampshire. Four volumes of his poetry, New Hampshire (1923), Collected Poems (1930), A Further Range (1936), and A Witness Tree (1942) were all awarded the Pulitzer Prize. He died in 1963.
Susan Jeffers is the illustrator of such distinguished picture books as Three Jovial Huntsmen, a Caldecott Honor book; Rachel Field's Hitty; and the ABBY Award-winning Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, which was also a New York Times besteller. She lives in New York.

Read an Excerpt

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 sounds 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.

Editorial Reviews

Robert Frost's Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening with Susan Jeffers's 1978 illustrations plays up a festive family atmosphere. Jeffers warms the snowy b&w scenes by accenting coats, blankets and birds with muted colors. A frosty vellum cover evokes a wintry feel. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

This lovely book begins with its vellum-covered exterior muting the finely drawn and colored illustrations of Ms. Jeffers. She has brought the poem to life for youngsters by personifying the speaker as an elderly gentleman with his horse and sleigh. The poem, inspired by the beauty and quiet of a winter wood, has also inspired Ms. Jeffers as she interprets Mr. Frost's now famous words with creatures and habitats of seasonal beauty. Here is a wonderful way to introduce fine poetry to a youngster or class, one that is sure to inspire further reading. A note at the end explains the author's inspiration. Try pairing this with Sharon Creech's Love that Dog. 2001, Dutton Children's Books, $15.99. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger

Children's Literature