Hailstones and Halibut Bones: Adventures in Poetry and Color

I used this book for years when teaching about cultural associations with colors as part of an English class in a high school in Japan, so I knew it would be the perfect gift for a six-year-old great niece. I wasn't surprised when her father liked it even more than she did.

I used this book and the (then) reel-to-reel movie in my sixth-grade class in 1971 and 72 to teach colors, design, and art. It has stood in time and my own children and now grandchildren love this book. Colorful, poetic, and creative! We all love and use this book!!

We liked that it is exactly as pictured.

This book literally changed the trajectory of my life. I fell in love with poetry in the first grade because of it, started writing poetry in the second grade, and eventually majored in creative writing and poetry for my undergrad. I still have many lines committed to memory… the sound of black is Boom Boom Boom!! Echoing in an empty room. Black is kind. It covers up the run down street, the broken cup… I hope many more kids find joy and love it as much as I.

I was surprised it was written in 1961. It's been around a long time. Very good kid's book, fun to read. The poems are entertaining at several levels. Toddlers would enjoy the cadence, kids will enjoy the text at face value and older children will appreciate the metaphorical use of language. I recommend this book.

I remembered the poem What is Orange from elementary school- which was a very long time ago for me. It had that big of an impact on me. This is a feel good book and I'm constantly amazed a how inventive and creative the arthor is.

I loved this book growing, now I can read this to my grandkids or they can read to me. Nice memories to share with them. In great condition for a library book!!

This used, hard cover copy, arrived in near perfect condition! The book also has the beautiful illustrations accompanying the gorgeous poems; just as I had hoped it would. One of my favorite children's / poetry books of all time. Highly recommend this book (and this seller) to anyone who loves words and colors.

I was delighted to find that this book was in print. I still have my old hardback edition, bought in 1972. This new edition has enchanting and exquisite illustrations and the poetry remains as delightful as ever.I have used these poems so much in my teaching days and, latterly, in poetry readings: read aloud the poems truly come alive.My great disappointment with this edition is the American spelling: it really jars and will not be helpful to children.Otherwise, I would have given this book 5 stars.

Beautiful book, used this in an art class for LKS2 to demonstrate shades and tones in watercolours. The children really enjoyed engaging with the text coming up with their own ideas for each colour.

A beautifully illustrated book with simple but well written poetry. Originally it was written for children but there is no reason for it not to be enjoyed by adults.

Read this numerous times as a kid.

Very useful - use it in the classroom. The children also enjoy having the poems read to them and also exploring some themselves.