Thursday, March 16, 2023

Poetry Friday - Springing Into Poems - review

  At Small Reads for Brighter Days, Poetry Friday is with Laura Purdie Salas HERE. She is one busy poet recently with three books out recently, prepping for a book launch party, and getting ready for poetry month! Congrats on those books and thanks, Laura, for hosting! 

        Spring will be official this coming Monday. I'm waiting for rain, more sprouts, less snow, and cold. It was 72 Wednesday and we woke up to 29 and snow Thursday. And, many of you are thinking ahead to April, Poetry Month, right? Perhaps you have a project already, like Laura, or maybe you need inspiration. The young boy in the book I'm sharing today by Katey Howes, illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee demonstrates beautifully to poets that it does happen, that tiny seed, just needs a push, rain maybe, but courage is included, too. 



      Using growing a seed as a metaphor, a young boy starts out into the world, giving encouragement as raindrops touch something inside. Roots grow but first, he must overcome the fear of what others might think if he allows it to grow, he must accept, then celebrate, the words. With the gorgeous, almost beaming, illustrations by Heather Brockman Lee, and nearly all double-spreads, Katey Howe's brief rhymes are there to give hope to every writer of poetry. 

        Here's one sample toward the beginning:


        
Some of Katey's inspiring words:
                    
                                  "They build a foundation
                                 connect, and grow strong
                                 in soil rich with memory,
                                           simile, song."

      The book certainly inspires me, hope this glimpse will give you a boost, too. It would be fun to share with a class, I'm sure.


     If you haven't seen it yet, here's a PDF of the Poetry month poster. You can request a free copy at Academy of American Poets here!



Happy Writing!

23 comments:

  1. Howe's book looks amazing, Linda - thanks for the sneak peek!
    NPM is fun, but in years past I have felt pressure to produce beyond my scheduling capacity. This year I'm going to be open to inspiration in whatever form and timetable it happens.
    Sending you less whiplashy weather vibes. :)

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  2. This book looks sweet, Linda. Thanks for sharing. Hoping you get your rain soon. After 2 dry months, we've started Autumn with cracker-thunderstorms and rain. Which is good for the grass (and tanks/dams) going into Winter.

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  3. This book seems so relevant as well as universal for all kids today trying to grow up and be who they are. Thanks for the nudge to consider a poetry project. Sounds like you had weather like us this week. :)

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  4. Thanks for the peek at this new book -- looks sweet and inspiring. Happy almost Spring!!

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  5. Linda, thank you for sharing this nice book. It looks like it would be good for all ages. Children might just see the poem literally growing :), and the metaphor would help older readers. Thank you for sharing the poster. I had forgot about it. I like to use the image as my computer desktop and print out a copy for my refrigerator!

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  6. Hi Linda! Thanks for the inspiration! I love the book you shared. And, the poster too! I will get "my" copy after I finish commenting to you. I am ready for spring as well. We still have about 3 feet on the ground here in Northern Wisconsin but have had a couple of days in the 40s and some rain too - hopefully, things will start to change! Have fun with National Poetry Month! ~ Carol ~

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  7. I gifted a copy of A POEM GROWS INSIDE YOU to my daughter-in-law-to-be this past Christmas. It's such a perfect way to affirm courage and creativity!

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  8. Thanks for the recommendation Linda! I'll definitely check out this book. :)

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  9. Across the years you have alerted me to many worthy books. Here is another one. Love the metaphor. Thanks Linda.

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  10. Thanks to all for the comments. I hope you'll find the book & enjoy it as I did. Happy weekend!

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  11. How beautiful! I have the poster. I'm running behind being ready for Poetry Month. Maybe, maybe this weekend I can pull it together. Thanks for the book rec. It's beautiful! And, this hi-lo weather...it's not very fun. Poor Mother Earth. She needs us to let her heal.

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  12. Katey's book is so lovely--and thanks for the poster link. I've requested one and also downloaded the pdf. Kids need this beautiful message :>)

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  13. Reserving the book right now! Looks perfect to share with my kiddos in April! Thanks also for the link to the poetry month poster. LOVE it.

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  14. Thanks for the peek inside this book, Linda. Looks lovely!

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  15. Katey's book is so lovely. Thanks for posting a great review.

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  16. This book looks just beautiful! I also appreciate the link to the NPM poster. I just finished ordering a copy for my classroom. Thanks!

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  17. Thanks again to all, have had company on the weekend, now back to reading! Wishing you all a great Sunday!

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  18. This book looks good! Thank you for writing about it.

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  19. Katey's book is so wonderful! It speaks to the way that inspiration can take time to build inside of us.

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  20. Thanks for sharing this sensitive book about seeds and growing–the rhyming poem is lovely along with the art! Here's hoping our warmer temps begin to stick around a bit longer… Happy Spring Linda!

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  21. Thanks for sharing this sensitive book about seeds and growing–the rhyming poem is lovely along with the art! Here's hoping our warmer temps begin to stick around a bit longer… Happy Spring Linda!

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  22. This book looks lovely! Thanks for sharing it, Linda.

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  23. Thanks, Susan, Laura, Michelle, & Karen. Happy you love it, too, Laura, and hope the rest of you find it soon!

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