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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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I read the editions with Susan Jeffers' artwork and with P. J. Lynch's artwork.

Both of the illustration styles were truly captivating. The poem itself has an air of mystery.

Even though the rider who stops by the woods appears to be aware of the owner of the woods, this information is not disclosed to the reader.

It can be assumed that the rider paused for a few moments to relish the evening snow.

Perhaps it was a brief respite from the obligations and promises that awaited them.

The rider's decision to stop and take in the beauty of the snowy woods adds an element of tranquility and reflection to the poem.

It makes the reader wonder about the rider's thoughts and feelings during that moment.

Overall, the combination of the mysterious poem and the wonderful illustrations by Jeffers and Lynch creates a truly engaging and thought-provoking experience.
July 15,2025
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A truly haunting book, this one is not only beautifully illustrated but also my absolute favorite among Susan Jeffers' works. I vividly remember seeing her give a presentation way back in the late 80's at a Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators function in the vibrant city of NYC. It was then that I was introduced to her amazing talent. This particular book has always held a special place in my heart. She had an interesting recommendation. She suggested calling up a friend who had a lot of dishes to wash or was engaged in some other repetitive activity and talk and draw simultaneously. According to her, this helped her to loosen up and keep the internal critic at bay. I wholeheartedly believe she's right about this. It's a wonderful way to let go of inhibitions and freely express one's creativity.

July 15,2025
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The illustrations of Susan Jeffers are truly breathtaking. They have the power to transport the viewer into a world of beauty and wonder. Each illustration is a work of art in its own right, with meticulous attention to detail and a unique style that brings the poem by Robert Frost to life.


The lovely poem by Robert Frost is enhanced and given a new dimension through Susan Jeffers' illustrations. The images she creates provide a wonderful affirmation of the beauty and depth of the poem. They capture the essence of the words and add an extra layer of meaning and emotion.


Whether you are a fan of Robert Frost's poetry or simply appreciate beautiful art, the illustrations of Susan Jeffers are sure to leave a lasting impression. They are a testament to the power of art to enhance and enrich our understanding of literature.

July 15,2025
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So often when I think of my children, I am filled with images of vibrancy, energy, and motion.

Sometimes it's the joyous dancing that makes my heart soar, and sometimes it's the frantic zooming from one forbidden thing to another when they're too tired to admit they need a nap.

Poetry and children seem to be a natural fit. They respond with delight to the unexpected rhyme, the catchy alliterative phrase, and the comforting rhythm of a familiar meter.

In so many ways, kids are like living poetry in motion. Most of the poetry I share with my kids reflects this lively energy, like the works of Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, and Sandra Boynton.

Then one day in the bookstore, after getting the latest Skippyjon Jones book and pulling my son away from the trains, something caught my eye.

It was a beautiful illustration of "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening," and it brought back memories of the first time I read Robert Frost.

That poem made me stop and truly feel the significance of the pauses and the meaning in the silence between words. So, I took it home with us.

That night, we read "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" slowly. The illustrations by Susan Jeffers were simply perfect. We savored each line of Frost's poetry and then discussed the pictures, looking for the pops of color in the wintery blacks, whites, and greys.

We asked each other questions like "Do you see any more animals?" or "That owl is so beautiful!" I have read this poem with these illustrations to my son and his little sister countless times.

Yet, no matter how many times we read it, I am always amazed at how still they become. It's wonderful to have a children's poetry book that can capture and reflect that precious stillness within them.

Children are indeed poetry in motion, but they are also poetry in stillness.
July 15,2025
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Lovely poem by Robert Frost and beautiful illustrations by Susan Jeffers, one of my favorite children's book illustrators. Sadly, she passed away in January of 2020 after a brief illness. The link to her obituary is https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b....


She left us with many beautifully illustrated children's books. One of my favorites is Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: A Message from Chief Seattle.


Goodreads has unfortunately mixed her up with another Susan Jeffers. The other Susan Jeffers is an American psychologist who died in 2012 and has also written books, such as Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. Her books are on the same Goodreads page as the books of Susan Jeffers, the children's book illustrator. I would have liked to request that Goodreads fix this error, but I have given up asking them for help with anything. It's really a pity that such a talented illustrator's work is being misidentified in this way.

July 15,2025
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I have always had a deep love for this particular poem by Robert Frost. It has a certain charm and allure that keeps drawing me back.

The illustrations created by P.J. Lynch are truly breathtaking. His attention to detail is remarkable, especially when it comes to every single piece of tack. The way he portrays the mood through the colors and textures is simply masterful.

And then there is the innocent beauty of the young woman in the illustrations. She seems to come alive on the page, with a grace and charm that is captivating. Lynch has managed to capture her essence perfectly, making her a central and enchanting figure in the visual interpretation of the poem.

Together, the poem and the illustrations create a harmonious and immersive experience that I find truly delightful. It is a combination that never fails to move and inspire me.
July 15,2025
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Features in a 1996 nationwide poll compilation.


From wiki - "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is a remarkable poem. It was written in 1922 by the renowned poet Robert Frost and published in 1923 in his New Hampshire volume. This work is rich in imagery and personification. In fact, in a letter to Louis Untermeyer, Frost himself referred to it as "my best bid for remembrance".


Frost penned this poem about winter in June 1922 at his house in Shaftsbury, Vermont. That very house is now the home of the "Robert Frost Stone House Museum". Frost had been up all night writing the long poem "New Hampshire" and upon its completion, as he realized morning had arrived, he went out to witness the sunrise. Suddenly, the inspiration for "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" struck him. He wrote the new poem "about the snowy evening and the little horse as if I'd had a hallucination" in just "a few minutes without strain."[3]


The poem is written in iambic tetrameter in the Rubaiyat stanza, which was created by Edward Fitzgerald. This unique structure adds to the beauty and rhythm of the poem, making it a classic that has endured through the years.
July 15,2025
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RIP Robert Frost. You were a literary giant, a master of words who crafted beautiful and profound poems. Your works explored the human condition, nature, and the mysteries of life.


It's a shame that you're no longer with us. I can't help but think that you would've had some strong opinions about contemporary poets like Rupi Kaur.


Your poetry was rooted in the traditions of the past, while hers seems to break many of the rules. Maybe you would've found her work too simplistic or too trendy.


But then again, who knows? Maybe you would've been open-minded and willing to give her a chance. After all, poetry is a constantly evolving art form, and new voices are always emerging.


In any case, your legacy will live on through your poems, which will continue to inspire generations of readers to come. Rest in peace, Robert Frost.
July 15,2025
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I firmly believe that Jeffers' lyrical illustrations truly establish a beautiful chord when combined with Frost's words. I had the fortune of growing up surrounded by snow, and this aspect is captured with such exquisite detail. I have a profound love for this edition. However, there is so much information conveyed through the illustrations that I began to wonder if the words were being overpowered or limited by the portrayal.

I discovered that in most parts of the book, where there are animals subtly drawn in the trees - their images gradually unfolding for the reader who takes a moment to look - they are in complete support of the text and do not cause any interference.

Nevertheless, there are a few quibbles. The main character has an unmistakable Santa-like appearance, and the line "promises to keep" is illustrated with a family. This, to some extent, detracts from the sense created by the poem alone. For me, it also gives the impression that it is in the voice of someone else or a story about somebody, rather than me being able to identify with it.

This edition seems to be particularly suitable for younger children (and then perhaps for adults as well!), due to its picture book format.
July 15,2025
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One of my absolute favourite poems is exquisitely illustrated by P.J. Lynch in this enchanting children's book.

The various shades of green and blue that he employs manage to evoke the captivating beauty, the mysterious darkness, and the profound isolation of the snowy woodland scene.

The illustrations of the horse, especially the one where it looks at the girl with a quizzical expression, are used with great effectiveness. They serve as a powerful reminder of civilisation and the domestic world.

However, my only small criticism is that for the last line of the poem, the illustrator has depicted the rider leaving the scene. In the poem itself, the question of whether to linger in the woods or move on is left unresolved.

Perhaps the endpaper would have been a more fitting accompaniment to that particular line, allowing for a more open-ended interpretation and leaving the readers to ponder the rider's ultimate decision.

This children's book is a wonderful combination of a beautiful poem and stunning illustrations, despite this one minor point.
July 15,2025
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I have a deep affection for P.J. Lynch's illustrations. His works always manage to capture the essence and beauty of the stories they accompany.

However, when it comes to this particular edition of Robert Frost's poem, I'm not entirely certain about the western feel that it seems to convey.

While I understand that the illustrator may have had a vision in mind, I'm not sure if it aligns perfectly with my own interpretation of Frost's words.

Nevertheless, I still appreciate the effort and creativity that went into creating this edition.

Perhaps with more time and a closer examination, I will come to see the value and significance of the western feel in this context.

Overall, I continue to be a fan of P.J. Lynch's illustrations and look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
July 15,2025
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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.



In this beautiful poem, the poet describes a scene on a cold winter's night. The little horse, perhaps accustomed to a more straightforward journey, seems puzzled by the unexpected stop in such a desolate place. There is no farmhouse in sight, only the woods and the frozen lake. The night is the darkest of the year, adding to the mystery and solitude of the moment. The horse shakes its harness bells, as if seeking an explanation or confirmation that all is well. The only other sounds are the gentle sweep of the wind and the soft fall of the downy snowflakes. The woods, with their lovely darkness and depth, seem to hold a certain allure, inviting the poet and the horse into their embrace. It is a moment of stillness and reflection, a pause in the journey of life.
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