The Kite That Braved Old Orchard Beach: Year-Round Poems for Young People

Like the ``Poet'' he describes, Kennedy talks ``in stumbles and bumps'' when ``Over a word's back another word jumps / And when it comes down there's a jingle.'' Although not as consistently successful as his other verse anthologies ( Brats ; Ghastlies , Goops & Pincushions ), the 62 poems in this sprightly collection are alternately nostalgic and irreverent. Like James Whitcomb Riley, Kennedy wistfully celebrates family as he tells of having a ``cup / Of nice hot milk'' at Grandma's house. Reminiscent of Jack Prelutsky's creations, these characters are sometimes impudent and funny, as in ``My Stupid Parakeet Named After You.'' Organized in such categories as ``Joys'' and ``Growing & Dreaming,'' the poems reveal Kennedy's wide-ranging interests, his experimentation with traditional forms and his sensitivity to the wonderings and experiences of young people. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 9-up. (Mar.)