Module 4: Poetry Choice: Biographical Poetry

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. 2003. Paul Revere's Ride. Illus Monica Vachula. Pennsylvania: Boyds Mill Press, Inc. ISBN 1563977990.







Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's classic biographical poem from 1861 is given new purpose in this children's book with the help of Monica Vachula's artistic talent. Children ages seven to ten will find themselves admiring Paul Revere and his belief in liberty. Vachula's oil paintings act as photographs, giving the impression of being present during this historic time period.

The final stanza of Longfellow's poem conveys the overall spirit of Paul Revere and his memorable ride:

Excerpt from Paul Revere's Ride
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

So through the night rode Paul Revere;
And so through the night went his cry of alarm
To every Middlesex village and farm-
A cry of defiance and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
And a word that shall echo forevermore!
For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,
Through all our history, to the last,
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

Also included at the end is a historical note by Jayne E. Triber, Ph.D. which clarifies some of the events during and leading up to Revere's historic ride.

The combined efforts of Vachula and Triber pay special tribute to both Paul Revere and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.