It's Poetry Friday, and Linda Mitchell is hosting HERE on her website, A Word Edgewise, with an endearing holiday mash-up for our celebrations! I can hear the bells ringing, Linda! Thanks for hosting.
Just a week ago, looking out my back window to the green space, I can imagine the trees whispering, "Hurrah, it's really snowing!" to each other. Sadly, it was a boon, yet it hasn't lasted. We are back to the fifties, per weather people, even 60, for the next week at least. However, going through a box of older holiday books and some clippings, I found an older poem that fits in my imagination anyway. I know from watching the news, this is true for many of you, hoping it isn't too bad, but simply wonderful!
I cannot find much about Annabel Armour, the poet, except a few used books of her poetry on sites like AbeBooks, sadly not the bookstore where I volunteer. One is Little Shepherd, a children's picture book illustrated by Bill and Bernard Martin, which appears in several sites, published in 1951. Evidently, she wrote and published in the mid-twentieth century. I'll keep looking!
Do you have a favorite holiday book? I seem to have many, but one my own children returned to again and again is Star Mother's Youngest Child by Louisa Moeri and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
And, a fond memory is of a parent who came into the classroom each year I had his daughters to read Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, by Eric Kimmel, and also illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
ooooh, I'd love to know more about Ms. Annabel Armour. Her poem, her name, her time period have all the good makings of a mystery to solve. Good hunting! I hope she lets you find her. So many mid-century women were simply allowed to go unknown. These days, I think of the women who were elderly when I was little and wonder what their concerns and questions and challenges were. I wish I could talk to them now that I'm approaching the age they were when I knew them. Look how much mysterious Annabel stirred up in me so early in the morning! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAlways love Hyman’s art, I’ll have to look for the star ⭐️ book, I have and am familiar with the Hanukkah book, makes me smile 😊 too! Thanks for the holiday poem, hope you find more info on her! Sending snow hope your way…⛄️
ReplyDeleteI will keep looking to find more about Anobel, Linda (assuming it's you!). And thanks, Michelle, happy that you love Hyman. She's created many books to love! And, thanks for the wishes!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, if ephemeral-our new winters 💔 How wonderful to find poetry that rekindles our memories.
ReplyDeleteLovely poem by Armour; esp. like the final line. Fan of Hyman's work, but haven't seen The Star Mother's Youngest Child. Must look for it! Thanks for all. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd nice memories they are, Patricia, thanks for the thought! I'm glad you enjoyed the poem, Jama, and hope you can find this Hyman book, a special story. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such a lovely little poem, Linda. I'm familiar with the illustrator Trina Schart Hyman, but neither of those books. Will have to look them up!
ReplyDeleteI know Eric Kimmel. He came to our school twice. I adore the Hershel book as well as his Hanukkah and the Bear book.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love that book, too, Jone. That's so great you know Eric Kimmel! Thanks for letting me know!
DeleteThat's the perfect poem as we have snow in the forecast tomorrow night! I look forward to the "shower of crystal stars."
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you'll have that chance to look for those "crystal stars", Susan!
DeleteHow wonderful to shine fresh light on an old poem, Linda. It is so seasonally appropriate for your neck of the woods. For me, recent days have unfurled weather more akin to summer as we know it. Until now, the weather has been unwhelming in its nature.
ReplyDeleteI love the image of cedars "wearing constellations in the night." Lovely!
ReplyDeleteI have SO many favorite holiday books. I used to buy a new one for my girls every Advent, and I still put our pile of beloved picture books under our little "Jesse Tree" in the dining room (while the main tree is in the living room.) Some old favorites: Madeleine L' Engle's THE TWENTY-FOUR DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, and Cynthia Rylant's SILVER PACKAGES and THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY by Susan Wojciechowski. (The last two always made me cry as I read them to my daughters.) :)
That poem perfectly describes the scene outside my window right now! Just as we returned from morning errands, the sifting started. We have probably two inches so far and they're calling for 4-7" by the time this is done! We're all happily hunkered down!
ReplyDeleteThose glistening "crystal stars" are falling here this morning. I'm not familiar with Annabel Armour. Thank you for sharing her lovely poem, Linda. Happy holidays to you!
ReplyDeleteTo Alan, Karen, Mary Lee, & Catherine: It's been a busy weekend so finally time to thank you! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteLinda, Thanks for thinking of us in the snow belt. We have consistently gotten snow in the last two weeks. It's very pretty right now, but below zero this weekend. I love how the poem you shared celebrates the snow and season.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol, it's hard for me to believe that we in Denver are having this warm weather. It's continuing in the 60s this coming week! At least the mountains are finally getting snow! Stay cozy yourself!
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