Friday, March 30, 2012

Poetry Friday: Kites, Books and Blogs


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I'm pleased to say that Sylvia Vardell's new book is out, titled The Poetry Teacher's Book of Lists. It contains "155 different poetry bibliographies and research-based strategy lists featuring 1500 poetry books for children and teens (ages 0-18.)" Click here to go to Sylvia's blog, Poetry for Children, where you can learn a little more about the new book.I'm going to get a copy for sure and recommend it to my MFA students. It sounds like a wonderful reference tool.


Hopefully, getting poetry into more teachers hands will help answer Janet Wong's recent call-to-arms over at Friends of the ALSC Poetry Blast (on Facebook):  "If you are in a position of power in ALA, how about asking (again) why there isn't a poetry award? If you are active in IRA, NCTE, or some other group that is planning a big convention/conference, how about suggesting a poet for the keynote or luncheon speaker? Lee Bennett Hopkins or J. Patrick Lewis or Joyce Sidman or Nikki Grimes? We cannot be content with preaching to the choir at our lovely poetry programs (where everyone in the audience knows everyone else); we need to get out and reach those people who haven't heard a poem in 20 years."


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Head over to my juicy little universe to see what other people are sharing for Poetry Friday.

Also, don't miss new posts over at Books Around the Table - Julie Paschkis reflects on Imperfectionism, Margaret-Chodos Irvine on Beauty in Limitations: A Printmaker's Perspective, Laura Kvasnosky on Responding with Wonder, I offer up my choices for the Best Children's Poetry Books of 2011. 

There have been some lovely posts lately by colleagues of mine (in the MFA-Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts) over at Write at Your Own Risk.

6 comments:

  1. So much to love in your kite poem, but two things in particular: the Cairo/higher--oh pair and loco/motion. Impossible to read that poem without feeling lifted!

    Sylvia's book: Exciting news, isn't it? I bought my (first) copy last night and am so eager to read it on Tuesday. I think this will become THE Poetry Month Gift.

    The "call-to-arms": I didn't realize that it was a call-to-arms, but I like that imagery. Pick up a Limerick! Reload your Villanelles! Fire off a couple of couplets! Poets: FIGHT!

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  2. Hi Julie, correct me if I'm wrong, but your blog has a new look, right? Refreshingly green.

    Your post is so rich today, I also love checking out Sylvia Vardell's list, she always comes up with fantabulous ones that we really make use of especially when it fits a few of our themes (the list of novels-in-verse in particular was great).

    I also loved reading through your poem, it actually reminded me of a recent book that I have just read and reviewed - Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising tale of a girl who Floated by Florence Parry Heide and Lane Smith - powerful combo there. If you read the book, you'd see lovely parallels with your poem. :) Thanks for sbaring.

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  3. Wow. Wow. Wow.

    What a fabulous poem!

    Jet

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  4. You are soaring today, Julie! So much good stuff to check out; I'll be returning often for links. Thanks for sharing your kite poem - the last few lines made me think perhaps St. Francis was flying along beside you. :0)

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  5. Ooh the rhythm of your poem is so right for a kite! Love it.

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