Thursday, June 22, 2017

Poetry Friday Treasure Hunting

         Thanks to Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe for hosting our Poetry Friday. She's welcoming us with a poem by her Diamond Miners today. So it's serendipitous that I'm writing about treasure hunting this week.

         On Wednesday, no, not in the mountain's wild places, but I went hunting in Denver's main library for the semi-annual book sale. My goal was two bags full, all I can manage to carry to the car, and no, I didn't return though I could have. I have way too many books, but this day is hard to resist. 
        Among the hundreds of trade books, of which I found terrific ones old and new, I also discovered some poetry books new to me. This one, poems by Margaret Wise Brown re-shared with a forward by Leonard Marcus and illustrated by Teri L. Weidner, caught my eye because of the title: Give Yourself To The Rain Poems for The Very Young. Because we have so little rain, each time the drops appear, they become another treasure. 

        It is special when one finds poems to read to young children. Those in this book collected for the first time fit well. They're about important things like being high on a hill, boats out at sea, squirrels, and apples. They sing for children! 

Here is the middle of a favorite poem. The illustrations fill the pages with creative images that fit Margaret Wise Brown's own unique ideas of her topics.

                                                  Green Grass & Dandelions

                                                    Bright yellow
                                                    Constellations
                                                    Brave little lions
                                                    Suns in the grass

And the beginning of Sun Came Out on a Summer's Day
             The sun came out on a summer's day
              And chased three little white clouds away
              And shone on three trees near a deep blue pond
              Where three little ducks were swimming around

         There's more about a frog and a horse and hay!
                                                    
           I cannot find a link to share with the poems, but hope you can find the book and enjoy it! I wrote in response to this delightful book, too.


                          poetry hangs in the wind
                          sweeping dust 
                          my new shower
                          Linda Baie © all rights reserved

43 comments:

  1. Hi Linda! That looks and sounds like a wonderful book! I love the title because I love giving myself to the rain! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks, B.j. I must have brought some good fortune from the post because I awoke to a rainy morning. After a hot week, it's a lovely change.Yes, the book is great.

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  2. What a wonderful spin, in your haiku, Linda. And I love the little dandelion snippet you shared. Bright with promise!

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    1. Thanks, Kat, I love dandelion poems, was so pleased to see another.

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  3. Love your haiku and that MWB poetry book. Will have to look for that! -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/

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    1. Hope you can find it, Christie. It isn't too old, should be available. Thanks!

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  4. This has always been a favorite of mine.

    Cathy

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    1. Glad to hear, Cathy. I've never seen it! Thanks!

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful book sale, Linda! So many treasures.
    Your poetry shower is refreshing :-)

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    1. Thank you. The sale is lots of fun, Tabatha! I love seeing so many parents there helping their kids find books, too!

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  6. Lucky you, Linda! I have a lovely collection of MWB writings called *Mouse of My Heart* that is similarly special in the way it speaks to our youngest. I love your little shower of dust--a new way to give yourself to a rain!

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    1. Thanks Heidi, I will look for that book too. This one is a delight, as I'm sure "Mouse of my Heart" is.

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  7. Margaret Wise Brown is a name synonymous with children's verse. Love the ones you shared. Your shower of poetry refreshes this summer day.

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    1. Thanks, Margaret, it was a good day that day, always fun.

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  8. Sweet dandelions. Today, I'll be thinking of poetry hanging in the wind, swirling in the dust, waiting to be breathed in and gathered up.

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    1. Thanks, Laura. I love seeing those early dandelions, have been told by a friend to leave them because it's the first bloom for bees.

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  9. What a great find! Never knew about this book. Love your poem and the excerpts you shared. Also like the Bradbury quote on your blog banner. :)

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    1. Dandelion Wine is a beloved book, Jama, a true summer celebration. I'm glad you like the quote, and this peek at my new 'find". Thank you!

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  10. You found a gem, Linda! I am a big fan of MWB and love her description of dandelions: "Suns in the grass". Your poem is the perfect poetic 'shower'. =)

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    1. Yes, I was happy to find this in a box of oh so many more! Thanks, Bridget!

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  11. I love the poems you shared, but that book's title just kept me thinking. The whole idea of giving yourself to the rain makes me think of surrender.
    Summer has officially ended in my part of the world, but still wish you a lovely summer.

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    1. Thank you, now I guess it's time to embrace that wonderful autumn for you! Our summer feels as if it's already moving too fast.

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  12. I love this! My daughter is attending Hollins University in VA and I had no idea that Margaret Wise Brown was an alum....but I've had my ears tuned in to all information related to her. I agree with Bridget that this is a gem of a book. I too have been grabbing weeded and old books of children's poetry. There are so many wonderful mentor texts to enjoy! Thank you for this bright spot of poetry today.

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    1. You're welcome, Linda, and I love hearing your connection to Margaret Wise Brown. I probably need to put the books I own all together to see what I have! They are truly wonderful.

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  13. What a treasure you found! I will have to look for this one, especially the poem about horses and hay! We have plenty of raindrops to share with you today from southern IN. Once more this spring, we are under a flash flood watch. Everything is squishy!

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    1. Amazingly we did have rain today, and it's cooler, a real gift. I might say that you sent them, Kay! Thanks!

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  14. This looks like a great find and your reasons are very interesting. We are in the midst of a downpour kind of summer day here. It won't stop raining...I can't imagine hardly any rain.

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    1. It is different certainly all over the country. We did have some rain this am, a blessed event! I have lived in Missouri, too, so know what you mean about constant wet! Thanks, Mandy.

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  15. You made out like a bandit at this sale!

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  16. Lovely wind swept poem Linda, it feels like it came in on the breeze! I've always been a big fan of Margaret Wise Brown, thanks for sharing this delightful poetry book, I'll have to look for it at the library. Book stores and sales aren't a good place for me, for I'm always coming away with something. Enjoy all your new finds!

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    1. Well, you see that I make myself keep it to two bags at least, Michelle. I saw some leave with rolling carts full! Thanks for coming by.

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  17. Beautiful. I love the bits you shared. Margaret Wise Brown taps so seemingly effortlessly into the psyche of the young.

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    1. I agree. There is some part of her that seems quite connected, Violet. Thanks!

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  18. I will definitely have to write up an order card for this! Thanks for introducing it to me.

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    1. I hope you like it, Diane. It's just right for the younger children. Thanks!

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  19. Oh how I love a good book sale!! So many delightful new treasures to experience and enjoy!!

    This looks absolutely loving - while raindrops are a treasure to you, they are a bit of a nuisance to us, but it's worth being reminded of how wonderful the rain can be!

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  20. Oh Linda, I wish I could have gone treasure hunting with you! I do love a good book sale and the poetry book you found is delightful. I've been enjoying a new-to-me Margaret Wise Brown book with Jack, Big Red Barn.

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  21. Used book sales are full of treasure! A nearby town has a wonderful sale every year where I've found many gems in the past. These poems are adorable; I especially love the "bright/yellow constellations" and your poetry hanging "in the wind." Thanks for sharing, Linda!

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