April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Six, Z is for Zen + Poetry Friday

Happy Poetry Month!

It's Poetry Friday, too, and Ruth Bowen Hersey is hosting HERE on her blog, There is no such thing as a God-forsaken Town. This week, she shares a poem about her 'forever' home, Haiti, its struggles continuing, and the fact that she is often there in her dreams. Thanks for hosting, Ruth! 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in various ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

     This is Day 26, the alphabet's ending, Z - I chose "zen"!

Zen

 

In April, chiming

a tiny rhyme

for listeners 

who take the time

to venture near

with ears to hear, 

the poetry!

It’s spring; it’s here!

           Linda Baie ©  

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Five, Y is for Yearning

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Four, X is for X-ray

  Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

        Day 24 - X, I chose X-ray

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Medical_X-Ray_imaging_GDO04_nevit.jpg

From a Teacher to A Student 

 

They reveal what is not readily seen

the inside of a body, the bones, in between,

but when I wish to see the most important part

ofttimes, it’s hiding, deep within the heart.

No x-ray has been created;

No technology today

will peel the layers back, just so

to show me what I yearn to know –

the inside-technicolor “YOU” show.  

                          Linda Baie ©

 

 

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Three, Begins with W - Wait

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

       It's the perfect time of year for "Wait", don't you all agree?

Waiting, waiting, 

wrapped up tight;

seeds wait

to welcome the sun, 

to savor a shower.

Called faith, 

my belief emerges

as a flower.

 

Linda Baie ©

Celebrating Earth Day and More - It's Monday!

           

Happy Earth Day!

        Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! 

         It's taken me weeks to read this book, not because it was a chore, but because I've been engrossed in so many other things, including reading other books. This one, unfortunately, ended up at the bottom of my 'to-do' list. I've finally finished the tale with admiration for the underlying warmth imbued in the story by Daniel Nayeri and the beautiful illustrations by Daniel Miyares which expanded our look at the story's unusual setting, along with giving a sense of what the characters looked like.

         The story, and the characters began to feel more real to me as I read chapter by chapter. I became more intrigued with the huckster, Samir's stories, what he really was up to. I began to wonder if Monkey, the young boy who tells the story and was rescued by Samir from being stoned to death by the monks who had previously taken him in, was really telling the truth. The varied, continuing threads, like the utter loving importance of the donkey, Rostam, Monkey's philosophical thoughts, and the importance of deepening interest in other characters made me know why the Newbery Committee chose this as an honor book. Though this isn't necessarily for every middle reader, some will cherish it for a new and intriguing book adventure.

Thanks to Candlewick Press for my copy!

          I know I shared several books last week for Earth Day, and now I have a few more for you to find and love! Love, The Earth by Frances Stickley is a letter in rhyme to a baby as he grows. She includes all the things that Earth will give him during his life. "I am the Earth./ All yours to share./ The mountains and the Arctic air./the trees, the breeze, the polar bear." are some of the examples that 'older' and kind Earth gives to everyone, including this young boy. But it also asks, "and try to lend/a helping hand." As you see below, on numerous pages, among all the other beautiful illustrations, Tim Hopgood shows the Earth's face. The book and the message is worth mighty applause! I adored it! 

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-Two, V is for Van

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

       It feels like serendipity that I wanted a word that begins with V for today's poem/post. I've been reading James Crews' anthology, The Path to Kindness, a few poems every evening. Friday evening, a poem appeared that touched me, and I knew, especially because it's near Mother's Day, too, that I wanted to share it instead of writing my own poem. Here is the first part, followed by a link to the entire poem. 

                 My Mother's Van

                                by Faith Shearin

Even now it idles outside the houses

where we failed to get better at piano lessons,

visits the parking lot of the ballet school

 

where my sister and I stood awkwardly

at the back. My mother's van was orange

with a door we slid open to reveal

beheaded plastic dragons and bunches

                                                        find the rest here

 

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty-One, U is for Umbrella

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

       This is Day Twenty-One - U is for Umbrella

Umbrella Duty

 

Patient

umbrellas

wait for rain,

and people

to hold onto.

 

         Linda Baie ©

Rain Stock photos by Vecteezy

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Twenty, Begins with T -

 Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

     This is Day 20, a word that starts with T -  tree

          Did it snow yesterday and continue this morning just for my poem? I don't know but it really is serendipity that it happened!

Overheard on A Snowy Day

 

Hey, we’re growing up.

           We’ll never be as big as that cottonwood.

No, but our branches flourish.”

            Have you noticed more birds visiting?

And we’re still part of the gathering.

They help us underground, don’t you know!

             Yes, I’m grateful for all those older trees around.

             Their chatter when it’s snowing makes a pleasant day.

We caught a lot of snow this time, good for a big drink!

              I’m glad we’re together, too

              in our own cozy corner of the world.

Growing old together makes a good life.

              Yep! 

 

         Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Nineteen, Begins with S - Sunset = Poetry Friday

 Happy Poetry Month!

It's Poetry Friday, too, and Heidi Mordhorst is hosting HERE on her blog, My Juicy Little Universe. This week, she shares some special poems full of earth's wonder! Thanks for hosting, Heid. 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

     This is Day 19, a word that starts with S - I chose Sunset!

Sewing Sunsets

 

crochet a day with azure sky

stitch in a cloud that’s floating by

weave green floss for grassy bed

baste the sun with golden thread

patch in clouds of lavender hue

tree shadows now are traced on cue

 

time to rest, nightfall hello

tomorrow stitch another show

                     Linda Baie ©

 

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Eighteen, Begins with R - Rhythm

 Happy Poetry Month!  

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

It's also "Poem in your Pocket Day"!  And the letter is R! I'm reaching a little bit, perhaps, but I'm going with R is for RECITE, REMEMBER, and, RHYTHM!

What’s In Your Pocket?   

 

I’m waiting for the words today

you’ve pushed into your pocket.

Is the poem a favored tale,

or new words you won’t forget?

 

Does it speak of trees or blooms, 

something growing in the ground?

Does it keep a rhythm when 

you tap tap out the sound?

 

I hope you’ve memorized the lines.

Kept close these treasured works of art.

Instead of tucked in folds of cloth,

you’ll keep them tucked inside your heart.

                               Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - Day Seventeen - Q is for Question

 Happy Poetry Month!

If you'd like the poster, go here!

 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

       Q is for "Question"

photo from Stocktake

             

What does a child know?

         At school, you line up in a row.

         A ball’s to bounce and catch and throw,

         and most things happened long ago.

 

What does a child know?

         Of whispers saying ‘grow, grow’,

         but yearns to learn the facts that show

         why minutes travel awful slow.

                                       Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Sixteen, Begins with P – Performance

     Happy Poetry Month!

If you'd like the poster, go here!

 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

     This is Day 16, a word that starts with P - I chose "Performance".  Can you imagine?

 Performance of a Showoff 

 

The centipede, without dismay

demands applause in a special way.

Its many legs help it refine

the one-bug musical chorus line.

Linda Baie ©

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Fifteen - PLUS - It's Monday - Poetry for Young Ones!

                

        Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! 

Happy Poetry Month!

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in varied ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

       I'm on a different path because today's Alphabet letter is O, and O is for Opposites! Charles Ghigna, whose poems are often for all ages, has this time written a book for young ones, and also for those beginning readers who will love a story with a few words to learn along with a delightful story that will make them smile. The title, The Magic Box, publishes at the end of this month! 

      Pandora, a cute panda, is out for a walk and finds a box. "Hmm", I'm sure she thinks, what could this be? "She picked it up. /She put it down." After a bit more exploration, wow, the box begins to talk! In this journey, that "magic box" tells about itself in brief phrases that are also small poems,  like "I like NIGHT." and "I like DAY." followed by "I go LEFT." and "I go RIGHT." Jacqueline East's illustrations are color-filled with fun expressions and actions! She also leaves enough white space so young readers' centers of attention are of Pandora's and the Box's actions. Also, that space helps the focus on new words being read, too. 

  One peek inside!

Thanks to Schiffer Publishing Ltd. for my copy!

It's Monday! Preparing for Earth Day! And More!

         

        Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! 

         You know I've been taking a long time reading The Many Assassinations of Samar, The Seller of Dreams. It hasn't called me to hurry up, so this week, because of having to return it soon, I started and finished Heroes by Alan Gratz.

         I know a lot about Pearl Harbor. My father was a WWII pilot and was shot down later in the war in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Thus, as I grew up I learned so much from all my family, and have read quite a bit of this time of history, too. But I don't remember the ground-shaking details of that attack by the Japanese that Gratz tells in this new history, the horrible scenes, and the aftermath, too. In this, two upper-middle-school-age boys, Frank and Stanley, whose dads are pilots, have cemented their friendship because Frank loves to write and Stanley loves to draw. They have exciting plans to do comic books with their own "superhero"! Caught in what they thought would be an awesome tour of the Utah battleship from Frank's sister's boyfriend, Brooks, the Japanese attack began. It's a terrifying account that, if you like historical fiction, is a must-read. The story is compounded by the fact that Stanley is half-Japanese, not a good thing at all. And, throughout the story, nothing is easy for Frank because in his previous school and neighborhood, he was bullied continuously, learning to hide with as little confrontation as possible, imagining every tiny thing in varying circumstances that could go wrong. Their friendship is not always easy, but it is one to look at and admire. It's another special book of history for middle school, with a sweet surprise at the end and added information from Gratz, including a glossary.

         I'm writing and posting a poem every day for April, Poetry Month. I hope you will visit when you can! Today, I'm connecting my poetry post here, too, with a wonderful new book by Charles Ghigna. 

         Next Monday is Earth Day, and I'll share a few more books then, too. Meanwhile, here are some recent ones I've loved, some of my own, some from the library, and others from Candlewick Press!

Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!

         I've loved other books by Liz Garton Scanlon, especially one from years ago titled All The World! There, like this new one just out, Liz shows us the beauty of our natural world. Oh, my, Liz gives us readers a loving message with the help of the gorgeous illustrations by Dominique Ramsey. This time, she tells how everything is connected, the smallest start to the biggest growth, trees and seeds, water and clouds. All are a part of the earth. I love the story, including humor, like when she writes, "and Cloud cannot contain herself." And the unique way the story lets the 'growing' characters in the story are sometimes allowed to share their own opinion of things that grow. "But wind... / (Whoa! says Tree.)/Wind grows stronger." Fire is there, too, some sadness and something helpful. The ending, along with all the rest, is powerful. What a lovely book to have for starting Earth Day celebrations. 

Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!

           No surprise! Emily Sutton's illustrations fill this new book by Nicola Davies with GREEN! Pages of abundant landscapes help Davies explain how photosynthesis works, from the tiniest chloroplasts in leaves that process sunshine into sugar and oxygen to those tiny tubes in the veins that bring water from the roots. The opposite, and needed, process, is respiration, giving living things needed oxygen. One wonderful page shows the path from animals' eating habits to their dependence on plants "for the food they make and the oxygen they breathe out". A history of the earth, including a tiny timeline, explains this need while starting at the very beginning when there was no oxygen and the journey to the creation of what we now call 'fossil fuels', both useful and detrimental. There are ways to change and scientists know them. It's a useful journey of our Earth wonderfully explained for use in classrooms or at home and the need, the dire need, for GREEN!

Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!

       The creators of Step Gently Out and other books, too, Helen Frost and Rick Lieder, write and photograph, The Mighty Pollinators. These early words start us off:  "Here come the pollinators,/small and mighty,/holding the world together." Rick's exquisite photographs accompany Helen's poems from bees to bats, and wasps to butterflies. If you sneeze when outside in the spring, Helen writes" "You may not see me,/but you know I'm here/when I brush past your skin./Strong and fierce/or soft and gentle, I'm pollen's good friend–/I'm the wind."        

        Even humans play a part! The back includes information about pollen, including "what it is" and "how we humans can help." What a lovely and just-right book for now!

        

        I still have this book, published in 1998. I hope you can find a copy if you would like a wonderful book of poems and stories telling both the special things about our earth and the destructive things that are hurting it. Ready for Earth Day, hoping everyone can find it. It came out many years ago, still a treasure to share about our earth! Here's a partial list of those whose writings are included: Steinbeck, Leopold, Muir, Schweitzer, Ovid, Tolstoy, Cather, Attenborough, Kipling, Hardy, Douglas Adams, Edward O. Wilson, Chekov, Lorenz, Julian Huxley and Paton are included (among others). 

April - Poetry Month - 2024, Day Fourteen - Starts with N

       Happy Poetry Month!

If you'd like the poster, go here!

 

        I'm taking the advice from the poet who has given so much to help us all, including students and teachers, write poetry. I'll be moving from A to Z, obviously needing to combine a few to make it all come out to 30. FYI—Sometimes, Paul Janeczko offers a prompt to write a poem that begins with the specific alphabet letter instead of a poem type. It will be fun to be open to writing in all kinds of ways!

       You can find the path to the Progressive Poem over to the right! Simply click on the graphic!

     This is Day 14, a word that starts with N - I chose "News", and this time, thinking of the very different way we communicate with family some of the time. You'll see when you read the poem!

a screenshot of a few of the texts my 
family shared on eclipse day

New News

 

family phone calls 

news hums over the wires

words like hugs

 

now love What’s up?

texts sent in a breeze

no wires needed

Linda Baie ©