Prolific poet and teacher Joyce Sidman states, “Why read [children] poems about worms and beetles? Because the physical world–and the profound lessons that direct contact with that world offers–have, sadly, receded into the background of their lives… More often than not, the dominant images they view every day are created by other minds, other imaginations–with sometimes dubious motives.” In short…poetry is important to the development of a young mind – very, very important.
And, because Joyce is so passionate about teaching poetry to children, she has generously provided a wealth of instructional information on her website, not only with the intention of complimenting her numerous books, but also to inspire the poet that resides within the heart of every child. Download her Guide for Educators and enjoy crafting diamantes, letter poems, exploring science and math activities, creating a synesthesia poem, and much more. She’s also provided a resourceful link called Poem Starters packed with great lessons for beginning and intermediate poets. And, for an additional, delightful surprise? Click HERE to hear Joyce read her poetry aloud! Can’t you just hear the passion in her voice?
When asked if she was famous, Joyce humbly answered, “Yes, to my dog. And to my children on good days. And there’s a lady I met at the library who says my poetry makes her cry (but I’m not sure if that’s good or bad).”
In these test-overburdened times, I know many teachers who feel they simply can’t manage the extra class minutes to read aloud or share good books, not to mention, poetry, with children. Of course, it makes NO SENSE. But, like it or not, school days are squeezed, as are budgets, and choices have to be made. Which new books to add to the classroom or school library?
This week’s BOOK ROOM selections are just the thing. Every teacher and librarian can find time for poems about books, seasons, the animal world, and the lovely nursery rhymes that, once upon a time, were part of most children’s before-kindergarten-entry repertoire.
Could anything be better than a book of poems about books? Poems such as “Wonder Through the Pages” by Karla Kuskin about how amazing it is to pick out and read the books we want to and can. Or, “What Was That?” by Rebecca Kai Dotlich about the wondering, inside-upside-down-all-over-magic of books. Or this month’s Author-In-Residence, Kristine O’Connell George‘s own “Don’t Need a Window Seat” about the thrill of riding home, bus wheels turning, “… starting Chapter One, hoping I won’t reach my stop/before this book is done.”
And, of course, there are poems about poems, such as Lee Bennett Hopkins’ “Poetry Time” (“Unlock a minute/for/poetry time.”) and Jane Yolen‘s “A Poem Is.”
I’d be remiss, if I didn’t mention the amazing illustrations by Yayo. My favorite being, perhaps, the image of book-as-popsicle that accompanies Avis Harley‘s “This Book.”
Since I first began teaching many years ago, I’ve placed poems on the walls around my classroom. Posting seasonal poems means they’re always right there. It’s never, ever too hard to pull out a poem, on-the-spot, and begin to create a canon everyone has memorized.
Using this one book alone, any teacher would have a hard time settling on just four or five poems. Perhaps, “Budding Scholars” by April Halprin Wayland about flowers who’ve become students. Or “Winter Home” by Rebecca Kai Dotlich about barns and beds, rags, and shreds of cloth tucked into tiny mouskin spaces…
I’ve written about Joyce Sidman’s poetry in other posts (DARK EMPEROR & OTHER POEMS OF THE NIGHT, THIS IS JUST TO SAY: Poems of Apology) and while I absolutely can’t choose a favorite among her many books, RED SINGS… is certainly one poetry book my students and I have read many times this winter. Did you know that in winter, “pink blooms” and “prickles” or that, in winter, “blue breathes” and “green waits in the hearts of trees/feeling/the earth/turn”?
Poetry books about animals – especially, quirky, squirmy ones – are easy to slip into many areas of the curriculum. Even as small “bites” of poetry before recess or lunch. For example, “Nighthawk” – about a bird who swallows “three-thousand/resisting/fast-kicking/throat tickling/legs” or a vulure’s “feast before the worms” in “Waste Management.”
Kids love the “yuck” factor, and there’s certainly this and much more in this collection of poems from the animal world.
In addition to the simply incredible art – all hand-sewn, fabric relief collage needlework – what I love most about this collection is the fact that, besides the usual array of familiar nursery rhymes, such as “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Jack and Jill” there are others that don’t often find their way into nursery rhyme collections. Poems such as “One Misty Moisty Morning” or “To bed to bed, says Sleepyhead…” – poems I recall from my own childhood, many of which, children today know nothing.
A note at the beginning of the book explains that these poems are actually “senryu” – similar to Haiku in form and syllable count – yet with a focus on “the foibles of human nature – or in this case, cat nature.”
From “The Shelter,” where a wary cat peeks with wide eyes between the bars of his temporary home on to “The Choosing” and “The Car Ride,” cat and pet lovers of all kinds will empathize with the wary cat who Boy names Won Ton. A nice surprise greets readers at the end of the tale.
If you’ve already browsed Kristine O’Connell George’s site HERE, you know she’s the author of many poetry collections as well as several picture book length poems for the very young. You also know she has many truly wonderful resources for teachers, librarians, parents, and writers – anyone who loves reading, writing, and sharing poetry.
Be sure to check out each and every link on Kristine’s site, as well as pick up your own copies of all of Kristine’s wonderful books!
Most kids have some experience with camping of one sort or another. Be it outdoor camping with a tent and a few rugged supplies, indoor “camping” in the family room, backyard camping, or “roughing it” in an RV. Kids love tents, the outdoors, and the adventure inherent in all versions of camping out.
Here’s a peek at a few of the poems students love:
“Breakfast” about a chipmunk “who does not dine, /does not idle, /does not linger, /has no time…”
“Toasting Marshmallows” about the different ways to roast a marshmallow “oh-so-slowly” or the brother who “grabs ‘em with grubby hand/shoves ‘em on the stick/burns ‘em to a crisp/…” and
“Two voices in a Tent at Night” – a poem I’m asked to read over and over for the tension and the familiarity that comes with “noises in the night” moments.
Each little poem is a gem. Almost Haiku, “small-poem-like” in the manner of Valerie Worth. Only a line or two, each poem captures a very particular and recognizable moment. You don’t have to be a dog owner to love and appreciate every single one of these poems!
Each time I read through this book of poems, I marvel at its brilliance. Read a bit of the opening poem, “Visitor,” and you’ll know what I mean: “A spark, a glint,/ a glimpse/ of pixie tidbit/…/wings, zings, and whirr – / I just heard/a humming of bird.”
The sound of those words, the quick, short syllables. It’s masterful, isn’t it?
Each poem follows the arrival of a mother hummingbird as she makes her nest. The poems are inspired by a journal Kristine kept while watching these events unfold on her own porch. It’s a wonderful journal of poems with gorgeous illustrations by Barry Moser. You won’t want to miss this book.
Mid-month, ReaderKidZ will welcome another fine poet and picture book author, Liz Garton Scanlon. Her book, ALL THE WORLD, illustrated by Marla Frazee, was a Caldecott Honor winner in 2010 and her newest, about two unlikely friends, NOODLE & LOU, illustrated by Arthur Howard, has recently hit bookstore shelves.
Jess knows how Emma can be. Annoying one day, lovable the next. Jess is often the only one able to understand “Emma Language.” She remembers the names of all Emma’s rocks and knows exactly how to tell a joke or teach Emma the “right way” to blow paper off the straw. They giggle together, share tender moments, and over and over learn how annoying, challenging, and … simply wonderful it is to be a sister.
Read “What’s Your Story, Kristine O’Connell George?” HERE.
I was born in Colorado and later moved to Texas, Oregon, and Ohio. Six different houses in four different states by the time I started college.
Growing up, one of my favorite possessions was my skate key. I’d tighten my skates onto my Ked’s tennis shoes and skate as fast as I could up and down the sidewalks in our neighborhood. On windy days, I’d hold my jacket up like a sail and let the wind push me along. One of my first published poems, “Skating in the Wind,” was inspired by this experience.
When I wasn’t skating, I headed for my backyard playhouse, which I converted into a laboratory. I loved doing experiments – growing seeds and making concoctions such as stink bombs with my chemistry set.
At school, I was one of the “good kids” and very, very shy. I studied hard, got good grades, and read voraciously.
In the spring, we’d collect tadpoles – something I still do. We had pets: dogs, fish, and a parakeet. One year, an old desert tortoise lumbered into the backyard. I loved camping, fishing, rock hounding, exploring caves, and spending time in Colorado at my grandparent’s house.
Now, I live in a rural area in the Santa Monica Mountains in California. There are hawks, coyotes, and an occasional mountain lion. Oddly, we sometimes have peacocks in our front yard.
Did you play an instrument? Which one(s)?
I took piano lessons for many years although I wasn’t very good. Recitals terrified me! At my last recital, I played “The Spinning Song” at warp speed and returned to my seat in record time. The teacher wasn’t pleased, but the other kids were — I was the last player and everyone wanted to get to the cookies!
Did you have a nickname and if so what is it? Is there a story behind your nickname?
My nickname was, ‘Sprinter’ because I walk so fast and was always walking ahead of everyone else.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A scientist. A drummer in a rock and roll band!
If you weren’t a writer, what would you like to be?
A brain researcher or someone who helps people recover from brain injuries. I’mfascinated at how our brains work.
Do you have a special place where you write your books?
I like to work outdoors – on my patio, in a park, under a tree. My dog, Riley, often keeps me company while I’m working.
Have you ever thrown a manuscript away?
Rarely — I tend to save everything. I have an old map cupboard that is packed
with manuscripts and scribblings.
Do you listen to music while you write, or do you like silence?
I like music, but almost always work in silence. That’s because I read my poems aloud to myself as I’m writing.
Do you have any children or pets and have you ever used them in a book?
Favorite stationary item? Creamy white paper with no lines. Beautiful journals. Drawing paper. Pens that write with thin, black ink. Smudgy drawing pencils. (Oh, was I supposed to choose only one item?)
Dog, Cat, Bird, or Fish? Dog! Dog! Dog! Woof!
Favorite or least favorite vegetable? Frozen lima beans. They are dry and wrinkled. Bleech!
Love revision or hate it? LOVE revision. (Mostly!)
Early Bird Writer or Night Owl? Actually, both. Sometimes, I work very late at night. Sometimes, I’m already writing when the sun comes up.
Read “Your Friend, Kristine George (A Letter to Readers)” HERE.
Have you ever had a burr stuck to your sock or pant leg? These prickly little things poke you until you just have to stop and pull them out. That’s sort of how Jess (the big sister) sees her little sister, Emma. Most of the time.
Kristine with a very special sister duo
As a big sister, I had fun thinking of all the bratty things Emma could do to annoy Jess. However, that is only part of the story these poems tell. There are funny poems as well as one poem that can make me cry. (Even though I wrote the poem and know what happens, it still makes me cry!)
I hope you’ll enjoy reading Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems. And I reallyhope it will inspire you to write some poems about your own sisters and brothers. (Or cousins or best friends if you don’t have sisters or brothers.)
