Thursday, March 10, 2016

Poetry Friday Roundup: On Finding Poems with Daniel & Micha Archer!

Hello and Welcome to Poetry Friday Roundup! I'm so glad you're here!!

It's been a busy week with the release of my latest book: FRESH DELICIOUS: Poems from the Farmers' Market. See my interview with illustrator Mique Moriuchi here. Thanks, everyone, for your sweet enthusiasm!

AND if you haven't signed up already, be sure to add your name to the schedule for this year's Progressive Poem! It's lots of fun and a great way to celebrate National Poetry Month, and I do hope you will join us.

Also, please sign up to be included in my annual National Poetry Month tradition of sending by snailmail artsy-poetry postcards! Simply click the link below to add your address.



And now, the reason you're here: you'll find the usual link-up below -- I can't wait to see what poetic goodness everyone will be sharing today!

Me? I've got my latest book-love: DANIEL FINDS A POEM by Micha Archer, from Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin.

Yes, I love this book! Love the art, the words, the message. And you will love it, too... especially when you see all the ways a city park's creatures (spider! squirrel! turtle! cricket!) help Daniel find his poem...

and the spread where Daniel shares his poem with the world? Breathtaking! Silhouette and vibrant city in the distance and all Daniel's friends in attendance. (More on this below!)

It's a perfect book for introducing a poetry unit. I will be using it in school visits for sure! And today, it is my pleasure to welcome author-illustrator Micha Archer to share a little of the backstory about this book.

Welcome Micha!! Here we go...

About DANIEL's beginnings:

Daniel Finds a Poem started backwards from a small drawing I did of a boy on a stage. Rubin Pfeffer, my agent now but who I was wooing at the time, asked if there was a story behind this boy. I decided that I must find a story about what led the boy to the stage.

A quote by Kurt Vonnegut inspired me, “Make your characters want something right away even if it's only a glass of water.” Daniel wants to know what poetry is from the very start of the book.

About choosing the book's structure theme:

In a 32 page book I knew I had about 14 spreads to fill, divided by 2 is 7. Seven days of the week and seven different animal friends help Daniel achieve his goal.

I studied my favorite children’s books to find what it was that made them work and was especially inspired by Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrations by Maurice Sendak about a rabbit and a girl in search of a present for her mother. Throughout the story while learning about color and fruit, they search. The ‘searching’ theme and a final goal struck me as important aspects to a good story. I also loved how the girl and the rabbit had a friendship. For Daniel and his friends, all week Daniel is learning about the animals needs, habitats and poetry and at the end has a poem for the Poetry Reading on Sunday.

About the art:

The illustrations for Daniel are in collage and oil. When working in collage I first create patterned collage papers which then become a palette for the illustrations. When everything is ready and in position, I glue down the layers.

I love the serendipity that comes with collage.


About the transition from "illustrator" to "author-illustrator:"

I have been illustrating for years and have always done my own artwork for fun. I don’t really know if I am a poet but I do love to write. When writing this book I loved the process of divining for the perfect words and found it so like solving a puzzle. It's great fun to be doing both the pictures and the words. I have begun a second Daniel book and have other ideas brewing.
-------------------------
Thank you, Micha! I can't wait to see what other adventures Daniel will have!

And now, for Roundup:

31 comments:

  1. Irene ~ Thank you for another terrific interview: I always learn something rich and useful from them. Micha sounds like a thoughtful artist/author, and DANIEL FINDS A POEMS looks, well, delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. April, it is a gorgeous book! As is YOURS! So excited for your release. Congratulations!! xo

      Delete
  2. Great interview! As with Micha, Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present is a favorite of mine, too!

    Thanks for all the invitations you've issued us--so much to look forward to next month!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Diane, National Poetry Month is full of goodness, isn't it? So happy you're a part of it. xo

      Delete
  3. Thank you for hosting and bringing such DELIGHT to all, Irene! I'm so glad to discover this book here and look forward to "finding" this young Daniel. Thanks to Micha for the great backstory and interview, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing your driftwood critters with us, Robyn! Love them. xo

      Delete
  4. Hi, Irene. Thanks for hosting. There are so many new books to be excited about! I'm looking forward to sharing FRESH DELICIOUS with my niece and nephews. And DANIEL FINDS A POEM looks like it's filled with poetic inspiration.

    Today, I'm pairing the YA fantasy novel THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE with Edgar Allan Poe's haunting poem, "Eldorado." http://laurashovan.com/2016/03/lauras-bookshelf-the-girl-from-everywhere/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lots of new books -- including YOURS! Soonsoonsoon!! Thanks for being here, Laura. I always look forward to your offerings. xo

      Delete
  5. Thanks for hosting, Irene - I'm looking forward to seeing both yours AND Micha's books! I've seen the first few spreads of each, and they both look great!

    (PS: my link goes live shortly after midnight)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Matt -- looking forward to your post. :)

      Delete
  6. Congratulations on the publication of your latest book! The excitement and enthusiasm engendered by all the goings-on you have highlighted definitely are contagious! There's never been a better time or place to celebrate Poetry Friday. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank YOU for visiting and for your kind words. (My son always looks for your comments after your kind support and enthusiasm for his music -- you have a fans!) National Poetry Month is going to be a great month. xo

      Delete
  7. Thanks for hosting, Irene! Your book looks delicious and Micha's is a delight - great interview. I am not actually linking up this week (crazy weekend ahead of me) but I just wanted to check in and read your post. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bridget, thank you so much for stopping by -- I know all about crazy weekends! Hope it's a good one, filled with love and poetry. xo

      Delete
  8. I'm wondering how I haven't heard a whisper about DANIEL FINDS A POEM until now?! The cover is charming, as is the premise— I can't wait to read it. So are you ready for a nap yet, Irene? It's been quite a week!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Enjoyed hearing more about Daniel Finds a Poem. Can't wait to read it! And Congrats again on the publication of both your new books. :)

    This week I have an interview with April Halprin Wayland and a giveaway of her new Passover book, More Than Enough. She also shares her recipe for charoset (my link goes live at 6 a.m. EST).

    Thanks so much for hosting!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, Irene. Thanks for hosting all the poetic offerings this week. As always, your blog is chock full of fun, heart, and something to take away. In this case, an interview about a book I ordered from the library and can't wait to read. LATHAM POWER!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a wonderful week it has been for you, Irene, and now hosting Poetry Friday. Thank you! And thanks for this wonderful interview. I appreciate Micha's advice very much, and the book sounds marvelous.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Looks like a great book! I am making a note of it. Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for hosting and for your post. I just signed up for the Progressive Poem. I always look forward to it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the paper art, and the story of his inspiration from a boy on a stage. I love that he has his character want a poem. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for introducing me to DANIEL FINDS A POEM and for the chance to get to know a bit about Micha. I will be looking for this book! It sounds delightful.
    Thanks for hosting, Irene :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for hosting! Happy Friday, everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have been swooning over this one too...and I loved this sneak peek. It is both inspiring and helpful! Thank you Irene and Micha. xo

    ReplyDelete
  18. Irene, I love this book too! It's in my car, gift wrapped, in anticipation of the perfect time to share it. Not sure if it will be for Poetry Friday in the classroom or on a Tuesday afternoon with my after school book club. "Poetic goodness" - I love that phrase. Thanks for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow, what a whole lot of poetry goodness you've got going on! Thanks for hosting, Irene!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulations on your book. It looks absolutely beautiful. Thanks for hosting today and also for the wonderful interview. Yet another book to check out!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for hosting today, Irene, and for featuring Micha Archer and his adorable book. I can't wait to get a copy! Congratulations again on Fresh, Delicious. My copy arrived yesterday, so you know what we'll be reading this morning. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Irene, of course your work is simply delightful and congratulations again for the publication of Fresh Delicious. I have been reading and rereading the poems you have created that bring delicious treats from the market right to the reading table. Cucumber is such a great visual image. I think each time I see one I shall remember how your described it. Potatoes is a charming poem. I am sure that young children will love your book as much as I love it. Someday, I will find a little one to read it to but for now I will share it with the teachers I will present to. Thanks for hosting today also.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I learned so much from this blog post and interview. Quality site! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great interview and thank you for the listing of the poetry roundup postings!

    ReplyDelete

Your thoughts?