Non-Fiction Picture Books - Celebrating Women

art by Sarah S. Brannen

         Visit Alyson Beecher on Wednesdays for Non-Fiction Picture Books at Kidlit Frenzy.  From her and others, you will discover and want to celebrate terrific nonfiction picture books!  
           I was away last week, ready to catch up and share wonderful celebrations of three women's lives. They share the traits of passion and persistence, lives from whom to find inspiration.

       For middle-grade readers and older, Bethany Hegedus offers a brief look at the life of Harper Lee, from childhood to her death. Clearly, Harper Lee was a unique person, in childhood on. She set herself apart from what she termed the "'pink penitentiary' of girlhood", played in overalls with her brother, did sit in her father's lap reading the newspaper with him, and was not afraid to defend her friend, Tru, who visited his aunts in the summer. Sound familiar? It's part of Harper Lee's beautiful novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. I enjoyed the realistic illustrations and the extra bits (of information) added by Erin McGuire, like pages flying as she re-wrote her book and one book with Gregory Peck's name. I enjoyed it thoroughly, though imagine kids liking it much more after they have read To Kill A Mockingbird.

#NPM18 - 3/30 Growing Poems

April is  #NPM18 - National Poetry Month.

       "Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash."
                                                                                                                      ~Leonard Cohen

         Of interest:  See the page on the bar above for the Progressive Poem's schedule of poets, hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem.  

        And, see what many are doing for Poetry Month, by looking HERE at Jama Rattigan's post at Jama's Alphabet Soup.
          

              My goal for Poetry Month: A haiku diary that may include other forms related to haiku, like haibun, haiga. monoku or renga. I have enjoyed studying about and writing in these forms in past Aprils and alongside other's who've given a challenge in this form. And, I look forward to seeing what parts of this month I will choose to collect in a diary. I will also be connecting with others, writing for their challenges, too, along with other kinds of blog posts. 

links:

       Poem one

       Poem two

This time, a haiga.
Here's information at Poets.org.  

             According to several sites, traditional-style haiga are still produced today, but contemporary artists experiment with the style, coupling haiku with digital imagery, photography, and other media.

Monday Reading Recap

              Thanks to Ricki and Kellee at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts for hosting this meme. Your TBR lists will grow longer, but you will find books to love and to share. 

               I spent last week at our mountain condo with my family. It was a special time to read several books and visit and write! Others skied and played in the snow. I reveled in the gorgeous snowy mountains and finished two "must reads" among others, along with preparing for April - Poetry  Month (see below). 

       All the words have been written, and the award has been given. I'm glad to have read this marvelous story of children who use their voices, some a bit slower, but all finally step forward to own and voice their opinions, to take care of themselves and then others. I loved the differences shown in each character, hoping that readers might see something familiar and find hope and affirmation for the unique in everyone.

       I enjoyed this wonderful book thoroughly again. One thing that stood out this time was the honest respect placed in the children to make decisions, something that does not always happen. Adults often believe that children are too young to "understand" things, but clearly, Madeleine L'Engle did not. I also love that she used challenging concepts, pieces from literature. She did "not" make the story simple.

#NPM18 2/30 - Growing Poems

April is  #NPM18 - National Poetry Month.

       "Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash."
                                                                                                                      ~Leonard Cohen

         Of interest:  See the page on the bar above for the Progressive Poem's schedule of poets, hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem.  

        And, see what many are doing for Poetry Month, by looking HERE at Jama Rattigan's post at Jama's Alphabet Soup.
          

              My goal for Poetry Month: A haiku diary that may include other forms related to haiku, like haibun, haiga. monoku or renga. I have enjoyed studying about and writing in these forms in past Aprils and alongside other's who've given a challenge in this form. And, I look forward to seeing what parts of this month I will choose to collect in a diary. I will also be connecting with others, writing for their challenges, too, along with other kinds of blog posts. 

links:

       Poem one

#NPM18 - 1/30 Celebrating

      Celebrating today with Ruth Ayres and others who share. 

           Fabulous spring break at our condo with family, many skied, lots of writing time for me, visiting, playing games, sweetest time!

the ever-gorgeous view

skiers-Carter, Nathan, Ingrid, Imogene & Sarah

no skiing this day - Barb & Dave,
my daughter-in-law & son-in-law

AND, the beginning of a poem a day for Poetry Month!

April is  #NPM18 - National Poetry Month.

       "Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash." 
                                                                                                                      ~Leonard Cohen

  Other things of interest:  See the page on the bar above for the Progressive Poem's schedule of poets, hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem.  

        And, see what many are doing for Poetry Month, by looking HERE at Jama Rattigan's post at Jama's Alphabet Soup.
         

              My goal for Poetry Month: A haiku diary that may include other forms related to haiku, like haibun, haiga. monoku or renga. I have enjoyed studying about and writing in these forms in past Aprils and alongside other's who've given a challenge in this form. And, I look forward to seeing what parts of this month I will choose to collect in a diary. I will also be connecting with others, writing for their challenges, too, along with other kinds of blog posts.