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 This month, in our year of writing poetry together, my Poetry Sisters have called on me to supply the art for our ekphrasic poems. I've chosen to share my photos of the cloisters of Glencairn Museum, a place I love to visit. You can read about the cloister here. The mansion was built as a family home for Raymond Pitcairn and his family in the 1930s, and later turned into a museum for

As an ex-bookseller, one of the things I miss is helping to reconnect people with “long lost” books. I still get the occasional request for help, and always enjoy the buzz of pointing someone in the direction of a book that has eluded them for years. This request from a couple of years ago was a little different;

When I was little my Mother used to read me a poem called "Through the Prickle Hedge" I found out after much searching that it was written by a lady called, Marion St. John Webb and that you are listed as someone who stocks her books so my question is this "How can I find the words to this poem" as I have forgotten all but the first line.

Me (the Littlest One), my sister Sue, brother Tony and Peggy our dog. 

Disclaimer!  The photographs in this post are from my own childhood. I have no connection to Marion St John Adcock (Webb). The photographs are simply for decoration. I’m happy to say my sister, brother and I were not involved in any of the incidents in the poem, although we often got ‘torn’ while climbing through hedges. Furthermore, burning of witches is not something we recommend!  Have a fun week...

  You know how much I love house plants and greenery of all kinds. I don't have a green thumb, and my plants don't always do well, but I am stubborn and don't give up easily. My office is full of plants. sometimes they get those really annoying fungus gnats, so I am continually in a battle of control.  There was an outbreak the same week that my Poetry Sister Sara shared her photos of the art

LEE & LOW BOOKS celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year! To recognize how far the company has come, we are featuring one title a week to see how it is being used in classrooms today and hear from the authors and illustrators.

Today, we’re celebrating one of our favorite poetry titles: Confetti: Poems for Children. This book celebrates the vivid Southwestern landscape of the United States through poems about the natural world. Featuring words from award-winning author Pat Mora and fine artist Enrique O. Sanchez, Confetti is an anthem to the power of a child’s imagination and pride.

Featured title: Confetti: Poems for Children

Author: Pat Mora

Illustrator:Enrique O. Sanchez

Synopsis: In this joyful and spirited collection, award-winning poet Pat Mora and fine artist Enrique O. Sanchez celebrate the vivid landscape of the Southwest and the delightful rapport that children share with the natural world.

Awards and honors:

• Children’s Books Mean Business, Children’s Book Council (CBC)
• Choices, Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC)

Other Editions: Did you know that Confetti: Poems for Children also comes in a Spanish edition?

Confeti: Poemas para niños

Purchase a copy of Confetti: Poems for Children here.

Resources for teaching with Confetti: Poems for Children:

• Confetti: Poems for Children Teacher’s Guide (created by Lee & Low)
• Lee & Low’s Poetry Resource Guide for Teachers
• Tips for Reading Out Loud During Poetry Month (from our Open Book blog)

Other Recommended Picture Books for Teaching About Poetry:

Water Rolls, Water Rises/El agua rueda, el agua sube, by Pat Mora, illus. by Meilo So

Lend a Hand: Poems About Giving by John Frank, illus. by London Ladd

The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children, by Davida Adedjoua, illus. by R. Gregory Christie

In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers, by various poets, illus. by Javaka Steptoe

Have you used Confetti: Poems for Children? Let us know!

Celebrate with us! Check out our 25 Years Anniversary Collection.

April is National Poetry Month! All month long we’ll be celebrating by posting some of our favorite poems for Poetry Friday. To celebrate Earth Day, for today’s Poetry Friday, we chose a poem from Animal Poems of the Iguazú/Animalario del Iguazú, written by Francisco X. Alarcón and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez.

Same Green Fate

let’s listen to

the green voice

of the rainforest

the colorful chorus

of so many flowers

trees and birds

let’s learn

the distinct

living alphabets

of so many species

so many insects

and butterflies

let’s be part

of the clamor and

song of this land:

you all belong

to us and we all

belong to you

protect all of us

for the Earth’s fate

for your own sake

let’s make the world

a true Ybirá Retá—

a Land of the Trees

Purchase Animal Poems of the Iguazú/Animalario del Iguazú here.

Our Earth Day Poetry Collection is now 25% off! Purchase it here.

Further Resources

Reading for the Earth: Ultimate Earth Day Resource Roundup

Happy Earth Day from LEE & LOW BOOKS

Earth Day: Saving the Pufflings

What We’re Doing to Celebrate Earth Day

Seven Children’s Books to Celebrate World Water Day

Resources for Teaching about Wangari Maathai and Seeds of Change

Turn a Blanket into a Scarf! Book-Inspired DIY Projects

Where in the World: How One Class Used Google Maps to Explore the Vanishing Culture Series

Beyond “Did You Know…”: Teaching Geo-Literacy Using the VANISHING CULTURE Book Series

How to Be an Explorer in Your Own Backyard: The Olinguito Activity Kit and Teacher’s Guide

Twelve Months of Books: April

Poetry Ideas and Resources

Welcome to weekend links!

This is my much-anticipated chance to share all sorts of great links and resources that I have encountered during my weekly Internet travels. I have all sorts of goodies for you today!

Did you know that April is National Poetry Month and also Poem in your Pocket Day?

The internet is buzzing with great book ideas and things to do to celebrate a love of poetry and share it with others. Here are a few of my favs:

Unique and Creative Non-Boring Poetry Books to Make You Love Poetry  via What do we do all day

Celebrate poetry month with author Shel Silverstein! Get poems, activities, and fun all month long.

This site is so bright and colorful, it just makes me smile! And it has some great book ideas as well. Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade Tidbits: Poetry Ideas

I adore these 28 Must-Share Poem images for Elementary School from WeAreTeachers! Of course, the Roald Dahl one is at the top of my favorites list:) http://stfi.re/jnaldb

Creekside Learning also had a wonderful poetry booklist for kids

What great poetry finds did you discover this week?

Before you go…
Do you know what Hans Christian Andersen liked as much as his fairy tales?

Paper! He was an addict to paper. He wrote on it, he drew on it and he use to cut in it. Just like a sculptor carves the figure out of stone, Hans Christian Andersen use to cut his stories out of paper. In fact he was a very popular paper cutter. (images courtesy of the Odense Museum)

In order to amuse his friends and their children, Hans made his very famous paper cuts. Wherever he would go he would carry his bag filled with paper and these very large monstrous scissors which he used to cut out the most elegant figures.

Would you like to create a very special item that is inspired by the paper cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen?
I’ve made a FREE off the shoulder felt story bag craft and tutorial just for this occasion! This simple craft is something the whole family can participate in creating it will make a delightful gift for the book lover in your life. I hope your little bag of tales holds as many wonders for you as ours has.
Click the image below and get instant access to this Hans Christian Andersen-inspired shoulder bag!

The post Weekend Links: Poetry Booklists for kids (and Activities!) appeared first on Jump Into A Book.

This month my poetry sisters and I are experimenting with Ekphrastic poems. Laura Purdie Salas chose the image for us and we all went off in different directions, responding to the images as we were called. Ekphrasitc poems are written in response to visual art; an image, a painting or a sculpture. The images we are working with this month are photographs of the ceiling frescos of Mark Balma (

April is National Poetry Month! We’ve selected our favorite poetry books for you to share with your readers of meter and rhyme.

From clever poetry favorites and nursery rhymes, to craftily created illustrations and novels in verse, you’ll find poetry for all ages to inspire even the most reluctant future-poets.

If you work with children in need, you can find these books of poetry and many more on the First Book Marketplace.

For Pre-K –K (Ages 3-6):

Neighborhood Mother Goose  Written and illustrated by Nina Crews

Traditional nursery rhymes get a fun, modern treatment in this wonderfully kid-friendly collection. Illustrated with clever photos of diverse kids in a city setting, it’s a fantastic addition to any preschool library!

For 1^st and 2^nd Grade (Ages 6-8):

Sail Away Poems by Langston Hughes illustrated by Ashley Bryan

Legendary illustrator Ashley Bryan pairs the lush language of Langston Hughes with vibrant cut paper collages in this wonderful assortment of poems that celebrate the sea. It’s a read-aloud dream!

For 3^rd & 4^th grade (Ages 8-10):

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings Written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein

Generations of readers have laughed themselves silly over the poems in this wildly imaginative collection from a beloved poet. Several members of our staff can recite poems from this book from memory – just ask. Giggles guaranteed!

For 5^th and 6^th Grade (Ages 10-12):

National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! Edited by J. Patrick Lewis

An incredible gift for any kid, family, or teacher! Stunning National Geographic photos fill the pages of this huge anthology that introduces kids to poems both old and new. It’s a book they’ll never outgrow and will pull of the shelf again and again.

 Grades 7 & up (Ages 13+)

The Red Pencil Written by Andrea Davis Pinkney, with illustrations by Shane W. Evans

Both heartbreaking and hopeful, this beautiful novel in verse tells the story of a Sudanese refugee whose spirit is wounded by war but reawakened by creativity and inspiration. Readers will be moved by this story of optimism in the face of great obstacles.

The post Monthly Book List: Our Five Favorite Poetry Books appeared first on First Book Blog.

I just realized that March 9, 2016 is my 10 year blogoversary!!! Hard to believe how fast that has flown. Back then I was doing a lot of parent blogging and also reviewing children's books more, as I was an elementary school librarian. I haven't been blogging as much lately, what with a new job since last summer (Reference librarian in a small college close to home = YAY!), but I am still

(गूगल से साभार चित्र) कविता- अलमारी कमरे मे माँ की अलमारी नही अलमारीनुमा पूरा कमरा है जिसमे मेरे लिए सूट है,साडी है सामी के लिए खिलौना है इनके लिए परफ्यूम है सन्नी के लिए चाकलेट है एक जोडी चप्पल है सेल मे खरीदा आचार,मुरब्बा और मसाला है बर्तनो का सैट है शगुन के लिफाफा है […]

The post कविता- अलमारी appeared first on Monica Gupta.

Melissa Newman-Evans has crafted a powerful poem called “9 Things I Would Like to Tell to Every Teenage Girl.” The video embedded above features Walker’s performance at the 2015 National Poetry Slam.

Follow these links to listen to two more of Newman-Evans’ poems: “Advice From Cosmo” and “The Hurricane.” If you were given the opportunity, what advice and words of wisdom would you pass down to the younger generation?

Have you been following the United States presidential race? Crystal Valentine has crafted a poem called “Crystal Gets Taken in for Interrogation After Assassinating Donald Trump.” The video embedded above features her performance at the 2015 Individual World Poetry Slam.

Click on these links to listen to three more of Valentine’s works: “Black Privilege,” “Tempest,” and ‘A Voter’s Problem.” For more Donald Trump-themed videos, follow these links to watch “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Trump (Grinch Parody)” and “Donald Trump Children’s Book (ghost written by Jimmy Kimmel).” Have you ever created politically-inspired art work?

How do you deal with moments of loneliness? Iain Kohn has crafted a powerful poem to address this topic called “Terrified of People.”

The video embedded above features Kohn’s recitation at the Get Lit Classic Slam. Click here to watch a collaborative poetry performance featuring Kohn, Pathum Madigapola, and Khamal Iwuanyanwu.

Have you ever encountered issues with body image? Rachel Wiley has crafted a powerful poem to address this topic called “For Fat Girls Who Considered Starvation When Bulimia Wasn’t Enough.”

The video embedded above features Wiley’s performance at the 2015 Individual World Poetry Slam. Follow these links to listen to three more of her poems: “10 Honest Thoughts on Being Loved by a Skinny Boy,” “Dry Cake Wishes and Tap Water Dreams,” and “Mary The Elephant.”

Do you find it difficult to be truthful with yourself? Rudy Francisco tested this out with a piece he crafted called “My Honest Poem.”

The video embedded above features his performance at a “Button Poetry Live” event. Follow these links to listen to three more of his poems: “Lopsided,” “Complainers,” and “Adrenaline Rush.”

Amber Tamblyn, a Hollywood actress, has crafted a poem called “Untitled Actress.” The video embedded above features her performance at Art Share LA.

In the past, Tamblyn has written and published three poetry books. Follow these links to listen to three more of her pieces: “Dear Demographic,” “Jane Doe,” and “When.”

Sara Brickman has crafted a poem called “Talking Shit to Sadness.” The video embedded above features her performance at the 2015 National Poetry Slam.

For more poems by this writer, follow these links to listen to three more of her pieces: “Letter from the Water at Guantanamo Bay,” “Crazy Girls,” and “Mirror.” How do you react in times of sorrow?

Rapper Nicki Minaj (pictured, via) recently recited the verses of another: the famous poem “Still I Rise” by the late Maya Angelou. Follow this link to read the poem in its entirety.

The video embedded above features the hip hop artist’s performance at an A&E television special called Shining A Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America. Click here to watch a video with Angelou’s own reading of “Still I Rise.” (via BuzzFeed)

Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye, two spoken word poets and the co-directors of the Project V.O.I.C.E. organization, collaborated on a piece called “When Love Arrives.” The video embedded above features their performance at Inner City Arts in Los Angeles.

For more poems by these two writers, follow these links for to listen to Kay’s “The Type” and Kaye’s “Repetition.” How do you respond when you find romantic love?

A photo posted by Karuna E Parikh (@karunaezara) on Nov 13, 2015 at 11:05pm PST

In the wake of the tragedy that has struck Paris, one blogger has decided to craft a poem and share her feelings with the world. Karuna Ezara Parikh has written a piece that has gone viral on the internet.

Parikh’s piece expresses criticism for the lack of attention that the tragedies of Beirut and Baghdad has received. She publicized her moving poem on three social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We’ve showcased the full piece in the Instagram post embedded above—what do you think?

While Parikh does acknowledge that Paris is a city that is beloved by many people, she also feels that “it’s time to pray for humanity. It is time to make all places beloved. It’s time to pray for the world.” (via The Huffington Post)

How do you deal with body image issues? Blythe Baird decided to create a poem called “When the Fat Girl Gets Skinny.”

The video embedded above features Baird’s performance at the 2015 National Poetry Slam. Follow these links to listen to three more of her pieces: “She Doesn’t Need to See the Menu,” “Girl Code 101,” and “Skirt Steak Girls.”

How do you sort out your feelings in response to controversial issues? Anthony McPherson decided to create a poem called “All Lives Matter: 1800s Edition.”

The video embedded above features Roche’s performance at the 2015 Individual World Poetry Slam. Follow these links to listen to three more of McPherson’s pieces: “Genesis,” “Checkmate,” and “King TuT.”

How do you cope with the nervousness and uncertainty that accompanies anxiety? Brenna Twohy crafted a poem in response to this question called “Anxiety: A Ghost Story.”

The video embedded above features Twohy’s performance at the 2015 National Poetry Slam. Click on these links to hear two more of her pieces: “In Which I Do Not Fear Harvey Dent” and “Another Rape Poem.”