Category School Library Journal

Dec 2 2024

Wild Brunch on SLJ Best Poetry list

Hi Everyone,

School Library Journal just published their “Best” lists for 2024 and I’m delighted that Wild Brunch, Poems About How Creatures Eat, is one of their eleven favorite books of poetry for children. 

This book features thirteen different creatures and their eating habits in the form of free verse and ABAB poetry. It could be enjoyed by young readers wanting to learn more about the animal kingdom in a digestible picture book format, or by older readers who can dive into the poetic way this information is presented. Beautiful spreads with large and colorful depictions of each animal, from turkey vultures to aardvarks, make this also a very visually entertaining read as well.

I’m especially glad to see this book recognized because I chose to write most of the poems in free verse and it’s harder to catch and hold young readers’ attention with free verse than with poems that rhyme and have meter. When I was publishing my first books of poetry for children, I wrote several collections in verse before I felt brave enough to try one in free verse.

Wild Brunch is published by Charlesbridge Publishing and illustrated by my friend and colleague, GILES LAROCHE. It’s our third collaboration following Now You See Them Now You Don’t and A Place to Start a Family. Way to go, Giles! Now You See Them Now You Don’t was also on the SCL Best Poetry List and was chosen by Society of Midland Authors as best children’s nonfiction book published in 2016 That one is in verse.

NCTE Notable Poetry Book

Oct 14 2020

Nine Poets at Noon

Hi everyone,

Tomorrow at noon EST, Charlesbridge, spearheaded by Donna Spurlock, Director of Marketing, is hosting a virtual in-booth program dubbed NINE POETS AT NOON. I’m delighted to be one of the poets. The event is part of School Library Journal’s “Day of Dialog” conference, which also kicks off tomorrow (October 15) and will be available through December 15. For information about the free event, here’s the link. https://www.slj.com/?event=school-library-journal-day-of-dialog-fall

Each poet has five minutes and will stand by for questions and answers. I’ll present two poems, “Copperhead,” from NOW YOU SEE THEM, NOW YOU DON’T, and “The Spider,” from A PLACE TO START A FAMILY. In each case I’ll read the poem, show slides, discuss how the poem was conceived and constructed, and suggest activities to challenge young students to write their own poems. Each poet will follow that general format so the program should be fun and informative. I hope you can be there and encourage others to join in.