American Poetry

An addition to the Poetry for Young People series, American Poetry, edited by John Hollander, illus. by Sally Wern Comport, contains such vaunted poetic standards as ""I Hear America Singing"" by Walt Whitman, ""Old Ironsides"" by Oliver Wendell Holmes and ""The Negro Speaks of Rivers"" by Langston Hughes, among many others. Each poem is introduced with a brief child-friendly explanation of the piece's context or a bit about the poet, and a glossary of difficult words. Smudgy, colorful pastel illustrations convey America's diverse landscapes and people. (May)