Sunday, March 31, 2013

April-Poetry Month-Great Reading




It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a kidlit meme hosted by Jen and Kellee at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTSVisit to find posts about terrific books!  Plus, there is a terrific meme hosted by Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS that offers more reviews of all kinds of books, adult and children.  
          Don't forget the hashtag #IMWAYR

      "A Poem Begins With A Lump In The Throat."  Robert Frost

           It’s Poetry Month, and here at Teacher Dance on Mondays each week, I share the books I’ve read in the past week.  This month, I’ll also share some poetry anthologies for children that I’ve loved, I’ve used, and some recently published ones you should add to your own collections.

     If you’d like to see more of the spectacular happenings occurring in April, check out Jama Rattigan’s blog, Jama’s Alphabet Soup.  I think she’ll be adding to the list as she finds out more, so keep checking in.

       To the right of this page lists the writers for Irene Latham's progressive poem during the month at Live Your Poem.  You can read the lively and interesting poem that was created last year here.   

        And, if you’ve followed along with the March Madness Poetry competition, it is coming to an end.  Soon, you can vote for your favorite poem of the Finals!  Here’s a link to the site..

POETRY BOOKS:

Plum  by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Mary Grand Pre
             I discovered this beautiful poetry book, published in 1998, in my school library.  It is filled with quirky poems, several story poems, and some clever food poems. The opening, title poem, Plum, had such lines as “Don’t be glum/plum” and “Don’t feel beaten, you were made to be eaten.” Because Tony is British, there are a number of British traditional tales told in rhyme that I didn’t know, like “The Histon Boulder”. that tells a story of a giant of a man  named Moses Carter (perhaps he really was a giant)  who moved a boulder for the village.  This is based on a real person who really did move one, and who is buried in the local cemetery.  It’s a wonderfully written book, with whimsically pastel-rendered illustrations.


Step Gently Out By Helen Frost, illustrated by Rick Lieder

              I've wanted to read this for a long while, and finally I got it from the library. I am very glad I did.  This is quite a beautiful book of less than fifty words, showing, in poetry, the small insects that inhabit our world.  Here's one example: A spider spins a silken thread/ and steps across the air."   It's a beautiful book to add to a poetry collection.
            
PICTURE BOOKS:

My Garden by Kevin Henkes
           This is a delightful book to welcome spring with young children.  A young girl helps her mother in their garden, but instead of carrots, she plants jellybeans, imagines flowers that can change color and pattern, that grow back right after one is picked, and bunnies that are chocolate instead of lettuce-eaters.  The illustrations fill the page with Henkes’ bold outlined illustrations.  It’s such a happy book to see, and will be fun to read with a young child to see what else can be imagined!

CHAPTER BOOKS:

Bomb by Steve Sheinkin 
           I reviewed this book earlier in the week.  It is terrific! You can find the review here.


NEXT:  I'm still waiting to read The False Prince, plus I'm teaching another book group, this time for Rules, by Cynthia Lord. 


22 comments:

  1. Plum is a new title for me, Linda - it sounds charming. Interesting to know that you are using Rules for a book group - such interesting discussions are sure to flow!

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    1. The Plum book was a different set of poems, definitely with a British background, Tara. Yes, Rules will be a good group, with great conversation.

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  2. Linda,

    I love that you're adding poetry books to your Monday blog. I haven't read those mentioned today so I'll check them out. Have a great week!

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  3. Thanks for these suggestions, Linda. I love the poetry suggestions.

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    1. You're welcome, Deborah. Hope you find the books interesting!

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  4. I struggle with poetry! I may have to start with children's poetry and work my way up. Thanks for the suggestions! http://wp.me/pzUn5-1t0

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    1. There are some good poetry books available that are stories, too. You might like them to begin with too. Thanks!

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  5. Thanks for the suggestions, Linda. Some new ones for me. Step Gently Out is one of my favorites!

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    1. Step Gently Out is beautiful. It seems to go along well with Laura Salas' A Leaf Can Be. Thanks Susan!

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  6. Ahhh I loved False Prince and Runaway King... and the kids love it too!

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    1. Time for me to get reading them! Thanks Maria!

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  7. I love seeing these older titles, Plum and Step Gently Out. Good poetry is good poetry, old or new!

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    1. I kind of knew about Step Gently Out, but Plum was a good discovery, very fun & whimsical poetry! Thanks, Irene.

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  8. I've been wanting to read Step Gently Out, for a while, so I'm happy to have this visual reminder to pick it up soon at the library! I'm glad you enjoyed Bomb--I learned so much from that book. And my youngest and I are enjoying The False Prince together, and loving all the plotting and planning underway.

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    1. I am so busy, but need to start The False Prince. So many of you are saying how great it is! Thanks!

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  9. Poetry is a bookgap for me. I really need to read more of it. I loved The False Prince. Rules is one of my favorites.

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    1. I think I will have a great time with this Rules group. I've read the book, but haven't had a chance to read with a group. There are many fun poetry books out there, Gigi. Have you read Love That Dog by Sharon Creech? So fun!

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  10. Hi Linda, I loved Step Gently Out - Helen Frost is such an amazing poet. There is restraint and subtlety but so much beauty too. Plum also looks especially luscious - will have to check that one out. I've seen BOMB in our library last Sunday but decided not to pick it up for now - way too long for me! I have quite a number of books on line-up right now (still in my Walter Moers and Bradbury phase) - hopefully I can check it out before year ends. I'm definitely intrigued.

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    1. Thanks Myra. There are just a lot of good books to read, I know. I'm glad you've discovered Bradbury. His stories are good!

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  11. I adore Kevin Henkes, and THE GARDEN is such a delightful spring book :)

    maria @novalibrarymom.com

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    1. Henkes just does those beautiful illustrations that make you want to frame them, doesn't he? Thank you!

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