Downloads & Free Reading Options - Results

Riley was an American writer known as the "Hoosier poet", and made a start writing newspaper verse in Hoosier dialect for the Indianapolis Journal in 1875. His favorite authors were Burns and Dickens. This collection of poems is a romanticized and mostly boy-centered paean to a 19th century rural American working-class childhood. (Summary by Val Grimm)

LibriVox volunteers bring you 9 recordings of At Broad Ripple by James Whitcomb Riley. This was the fortnightly poetry project for September 6, 2009.

LibriVox volunteers bring you 19 recordings of A Parting Guest by James Whitcomb Riley. This was the Weekly Poetry project for May 15, 2011.<br><br>James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the Hoosier Poet and Children's Poet for his dialect works and his children's poetry respectively. His poems tended to be humorous or sentimental, and of the approximately one thousand poems that Riley authored, over half are in dialect. His famous works include "Little Orphant Annie" and "The Raggedy Man". (summary from Wkipedia)

LibriVox volunteers bring you 18 recordings of There Was a Cherry-Tree by James Whitcomb Riley. This was the Weekly Poetry project for May 13, 2012.<br><br>Riley began his career writing verses as a sign maker and submitting poetry to newspapers. Thanks in part to an endorsement from poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, he eventually earned successive jobs at Indiana newspaper publishers during the latter 1870s. Riley gradually rose in prominence during the 1880s through his poetry reading tours. He traveled a touring circuit first in the Midwest, and then nationally, holding shows and making joint appearances on stage with other famous talents. Regularly struggling with his alcohol addiction, Riley never married or had children, and was involved in a scandal in 1888 when he became too drunk to perform. He became more popular in spite of the bad press he received, and as a result extricated himself from poorly negotiated contracts that limited his earnings; he quickly became very wealthy. (Summary from Wikipedia)

5Scrawl

By James Whitcomb Riley

James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best selling author, born in the town of Greenfield, Indiana. During his lifetime he was known as the "Hoosier Poet" and "Children's Poet" for his dialect works and his children's poetry respectively. His poems tended to be humorous or sentimental, and of the approximately one thousand poems that Riley authored, the majority are in dialect. - Summary by Wikipedia

6In The Dark

By James Whitcomb Riley

James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the "Hoosier Poet" and "Children's Poet" for his dialect works and his children's poetry respectively. His poems tended to be humorous or sentimental, and of the approximately one thousand poems that Riley authored, the majority are in dialect.<br /><br /> Riley began his career writing verses as a sign maker and submitting poetry to newspapers. Thanks in part to an endorsement from poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, he eventually earned successive jobs at Indiana newspaper publishers during the latter 1870s.<br /><br /> Riley became a bestselling author in the 1890s. His children's poems were compiled into a book and illustrated by Howard Chandler Christy. Titled the Rhymes of Childhood, the book was his most popular and sold millions of copies. As a poet, Riley achieved an uncommon level of fame during his own lifetime. - Summary by Wikipedia

James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the "Hoosier Poet" and "Children's Poet" for his dialect works and his children's poetry respectively. His poems tended to be humorous or sentimental, and of the approximately one thousand poems that Riley authored, the majority are in dialect. His famous works include "Little Orphant Annie" and "The Raggedy Man". (Summary from Wikipedia)</br>This poem is taken from Riley's CHRISTMAS - Its origin, celebration and significance as releated in prose and poetry. Published in 1912.

8Cup of Tea

By James Whitcomb Riley

James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the "Hoosier Poet" and "Children's Poet" for his dialect works and his children's poetry respectively. His poems tended to be humorous or sentimental, and of the approximately one thousand poems that Riley authored, the majority are in dialect. <br /><br /> Riley's chief legacy was his influence in fostering the creation of a Midwestern cultural identity and his contributions to the Golden Age of Indiana Literature. Along with other writers of his era, he helped create a caricature of Midwesterners and formed a literary community that produced works rivaling the established eastern literati. There are many memorials dedicated to Riley, including the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children. (Summary from Wikipedia)

9Dead Joke and The Funny Man

By James Whitcomb Riley

James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the "Hoosier Poet" and "Children's Poet" for his dialect works and his children's poetry respectively. As a poet, Riley achieved an uncommon level of fame during his own lifetime. He was honored with annual Riley Day celebrations around the United States and was regularly called on to perform readings at national civic events. - Summary by Wikipedia

10In A Box

By James Whitcomb Riley

James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. His poems tended to be humorous or sentimental, and of the approximately one thousand poems that Riley authored, the majority are in dialect. His famous works include "Little Orphant Annie" and "The Raggedy Man". - Summary by Wikipedia

11Nye and Riley's Wit and Humor

By Bill Nye and James Whitcomb Riley

"What this country needs, aside from a new Indian policy and a style of poison for children which will be liable to kill rats if they eat it by accident, is a Railway Guide which will be just as good two years ago as it was next spring—a Railway Guide, if you please, which shall not be cursed by a plethora of facts, or poisoned with information—a Railway Guide that shall be rich with doubts and lighted up with miserable apprehensions. In other Railway Guides, pleasing fancy, poesy and literary beauty, have been throttled at the very threshold of success, by a wild incontinence of facts, figures, asterisks and references to meal stations. For this reason a guide has been built at our own shops and on a new plan. It is the literary piece de resistance of the age in which we live. It will not permit information to creep in and mar the reader's enjoyment of the scenery. It contains no railroad map which is grossly inaccurate. It has no time-table in it which has outlived its uselessness. It does not prohibit passengers from riding on the platform while the cars are in motion. It permits every one to do just as he pleases and rather encourages him in taking that course." - Bill Nye

12Job Work

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 11 recordings of Job Work by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for October 13, 2019. <br> ------<br> James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the "Hoosier Poet" and "Children's Poet" for his dialect works and his children's poetry. His poems tend to be humorous or sentimental. His famous works include "Little Orphant Annie" and "The Raggedy Man". (Wikipedia)

13Discouraging Model

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 10 recordings of A Discouraging Model by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for January 26, 2020. <br> ------<br> As a poet, Riley achieved an uncommon level of fame during his lifetime. He was honored with annual Riley Day celebrations around the United States and was regularly called on to perform readings at national civic events. - Summary by Wikipedia

14That Night

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 20 recordings of That Night by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for April 19, 2020. <br> ------<br> Our Weekly Poem is taken from NYE AND RILEY'S Wit and Humor (Poems and Yarns) BY James Whitcomb Riley & Bill Nye. (David Lawrence)

LibriVox volunteers bring you 18 recordings of Pansies by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for May 3, 2020. <br> ------<br> Another ode to Spring and one of the popular flowers starting to bloom. Taken from Rhymes of Childhood by James Whitcomb Riley (p 1895) - Summary by David Lawrence

16If I knew What Poets Know

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 23 recordings of If I knew What Poets Know by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for July 5, 2020. <br> ------<br>Riley's chief legacy was his influence in fostering the creation of a Midwestern cultural identity and his contributions to the Golden Age of Indiana Literature. With other writers of his era, he helped create a caricature of Midwesterners and formed a literary community that produced works rivaling the established eastern literati. There are many memorials dedicated to Riley, including the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children. (Wikipedia)

17Ripest Peach

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 20 recordings of The Ripest Peach by James Whitcomb Riley.<br>This was the Weekly Poetry project for July 12, 2020. <br> ------<br> James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the "Hoosier Poet" and "Children's Poet" for his dialect works and his children's poetry. His famous works include "Little Orphant Annie" and "The Raggedy Man". - Summary by Wikipedia

18Wraith of Summertime

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 22 recordings of A Wraith of Summertime by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for October 18, 2020.<br>-------<br> Ah, the memories of summer past, at least Riley's memories. - Summary by David Lawrence

19Her Hair

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 14 recordings of Her Hair by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for January 10, 2021. <br> ------<br> This Weekly poem was taken from Riley Love Lyrics by James Whitcomb Riley. - Summary by David Lawrence

20Wind Of The Sea

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 16 recordings of Wind Of The Sea by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for October 31, 2021. <br> ------<br> James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the "Hoosier Poet" and "Children's Poet" for his dialect works and his children's poetry. His poems tend to be humorous or sentimental. - Summary by Wikipedia

21Spring Song And A Later

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 14 recordings of A Spring Song And A Later by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for May 1, 2022. <br> ------<br> This Weekly Poem is taken from Riley Songs of Home by James Whitcomb Riley (1910) - Summary by David Lawrence

LibriVox volunteers bring you 16 recordings of Lockerbie Street by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for August 28, 2022. <br> ------<br> James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer and poet, who lived in Indianapolis. Here among his books and his souvenirs, the poet spent his happy and contented days. To reach this restful spot, the pilgrim must journey to Lockerbie Street, a miniature thoroughfare half hidden between two more commanding avenues. It is little more than a lane, shaded, unpaved, and from end to end no longer than a five minutes' walk, but its fame is for all time. (JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY—A SKETCH from the Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley Volume 1, 1913)

23For You

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 19 recordings of For You by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for November 13, 2022. <br> ------<br> Riley's chief legacy was his influence in fostering the creation of a Midwestern cultural identity and his contributions to the Golden Age of Indiana Literature. - Summary by Wikipedia

LibriVox volunteers bring you 20 recordings of He and I by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for March 12, 2023. <br> ------<br> As a poet, Riley achieved an uncommon level of fame during his lifetime. He was honored with annual Riley Day celebrations around the United States and was regularly called on to perform readings at national civic events. - Summary by Wikipedia

25Green Fields and Running Brooks

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 19 recordings of Green Fields and Running Brooks by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for July 7, 2024. <br> ------<br> Riley was among the most popular writers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, known for his "uncomplicated, sentimental, and humorous" writing. Often writing his verses in dialect, his poetry caused readers to recall a nostalgic and simpler time in earlier American history. This Weekly poem is taken from Green Fields and Running Brooks, and Other Poems by James Whitcomb Riley (1893). - Summary by Wikipedia

26Moon-Drowned

By James Whitcomb Riley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 21 recordings of Moon-Drowned by James Whitcomb Riley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for September 1, 2024. <br> ------<br> James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. Riley's chief legacy was his influence in fostering the creation of a Midwestern cultural identity and his contributions to the Golden Age of Indiana Literature. With other writers of his era, he helped create a caricature of Midwesterners and formed a literary community that produced works rivaling the established eastern literati. - Summary by Wikipedia