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Thursday, November 22, 2018

LION OF THE SKY by Laura Purdie Salas + Giveaway

Welcome, Poetry Friday friends! Roundup is here at Live Your Poem!!

You might notice the blog has a new look. Yes, I am in the process of renovating all my materials to include this happy, imaginative little octopus, specially created for me by Thea Baker, illustrator for LOVE, AGNES.

I have been thinking about this for several years, as my bibliography has grown and my writing life has moved away from adult work. I decided I wanted to fully embrace the joy of writing for children!

But it's hard, you know, letting go of the old...  Our shifting identities are intensely personal and come barnacled with all that has come before... and how to predict the future?

Well, I decided to just focus on FUN, and that's when I figured out that the only thing all of my books have in common is imagination. And what better symbol for that than a purple octopus conversing with a yellow bird? :)

Speaking of imagination....

Pre-orders available NOW.
you'll find the linkup below, and today I want to share with you a beautiful book of poems by one of our own: LION OF THE SKY: Haiku for all Seasons by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrations by Merce Lopez, brought to us by the good folks at Lerner Publishing (April 2, 2019).

This book is beautiful, both in words and pictures. Laura has graciously given me permission to share one poem for each season, and boy was it hard to pick! These poems aren't haiku for the haiku purist -- they do follow the 5-7-5 syllable scheme, but they are bursting with all sorts of rich, evocative metaphors -- which aren't employed in traditional haiku, where the focus is on the literal experience of the moment. Helpful article about tenets of traditional haiku found here.

Plus, these poems have an additional fun element: they're all riddles! In fact, the collection grew out of one of Laura's National Poetry Month projects which she called Riddle-ku. There's a wonderful note from Laura about this at the back of the book, and an invitation to readers to try crafting their own riddle-mask-haiku.

Giveaway! Laura is offering one autographed review copy for one lucky reader. Simply add your comment to this post by noon Thursday, Nov. 29, and Maggie the cat will select a winner! Winner will be announced next Poetry Friday (Nov. 30).

And now a sampling of poems from the book... as you read, see if you can solve the riddle! (I've made "fall" particularly easy for you by adding the art. :)

Spring


colorful flowers -
we sprout on stems of people,
bloom only in rain


Summer


you gasp as I roar,
my mane EXPLODING, sizzling --
lion of the sky!

the "pencil" page

Fall


I'm a yellow train,
CARRYING thoughts from your brain
to the waiting page



Winter


I'm thin silver blades,
spinning circles, carving lines --
you and I, we FLY!



Did you guess them?? The art in the book is exquisite, and really helps guide the reader to the answer.[answers: umbrella, fireworks, pencil, ice skates] There's also an answer key at the back of the book.

You may remember a similar book that was popular a number of years ago: IF NOT FOR THE CAT, haiku by Jack Prelutsky, paintings by Ted Rand, brought to us by HarperCollins back in 2004. I remember poring over this one with my now-grown boys!




And I will leave you with a quote that feels apt and true... won't you read a poem aloud today? Happy Thanksgiving!



51 comments:

  1. Oooh. Haiku is power-poetry, and these snippets are bursting with goodness. (Love the umbrellas!) And congratulations on your exciting news too, Irene, for 'Can I Touch Your Hair'. How thrilling! xx

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    1. Thank you, Kat! I love those umbrellas too! The whole book is a feast! xo

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    2. Thank you, Kat! For my birthday, my husband had a set of coasters made for my little office featuring four different snippets of art from this book, and one of them is the art that goes with umbrella. It's also my phone skin:)

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  2. I love the new octopus, Irene. She's adorable and the perfect "hello" at the top of your blog. Thanks for sharing Laura Purdie Salas' new book. I'm looking forward to reading it. And special thanks for hosting today!

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    1. Thank you, Laura - I've named the octopus "Thea' after her creator. :) Loved seeing you, if briefly, at ncte! xo

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    2. Thanks, Laura. I wish we could have connected at NCTE!

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  3. Thank you so much, Irene, for sharing! I must find If Not for the Cat. You or someone else mentioned it at NCTE, but I haven't read it, I don't think. Thanks for hosting and for always being such a generous member of the poetry community. You are a role model. Love the new look and octopus! Excited to send an F&G of LION to the giveaway winner.

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    1. Yes, That was me who mentioned IF NOT FOR THE CAT! They are riddles, too. My boys LOVED that book! So many congratulations, Laura... excited to witness your 2019! xo

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  4. Irene, Happy Thanksgiving! I love that you are kicking your identity as a writer up a notch. You've just grown and grown and now are winning awards for writing. Many, many congratulations. I feel lucky to check in and see your work once a week and the book s as they come along. Thank you for sharing Laura's newest. The poems are fabulous! I know that not only will kids enjoy them--they will be writing them too. Thank you for hosting today. I'm sharing my thanks for Poetry Friday over on:https://awordedgewiselindamitchell.blogspot.com/

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    1. Linda, you make me smile - I feel so lucky to write for kids. :) And yes, you will love Laura's new poetry books -- 3 of them coming spring 2019! xo

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    2. Thanks, Linda. Irene is a rockstar, isn't she?

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  5. I love Agnes with that tiny yellow bird, would love to be near to hear their conversation, Irene! And I remember Laura's riddle-ku, used some of them with students that April. What a beautiful book. The riddles are fun and the art looks fabulous. You've had a lovely week, and now time to celebrate your new look for your web page and new thoughts about your writing. Thanks so much for hosting this Thanksgiving eve, and day after!

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    1. Dear Linda, yes, what fun to imagine the conversation between a bird and an octopus! You will love Laura's book... and it will make you want to write your own riddles! xo

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    2. Thank you, Linda. Teachers' enthusiasm for those original riddle-ku is what sparked the idea for this new collection!

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  6. I love your new look! I also remember Laura's Riddle-ku, and I'm excited about her new book. Thank you for sharing it here today. Oh, and IF NOT FOR THE CAT is right here on my bookshelf. I think I need to read it again! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! xo

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    1. Dear Linda, thank you! Yes, LION and CAT will make fine friends, I am sure of it. And yes, a very happy Thanksgiving with those most special men in my life. :)

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    2. Thank you so much, Linda. I hope you enjoy the new collection!

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  7. I love the happy purple octopus, "barnacled with all that has come before," and your focus on FUN. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of Laura's clever new book!

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    1. Thank you JoAnn, for stopping by - you will love Laura's new book(s)! xo

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  8. Thanks, Irene, for hosting today. I love Agnes, and I love the new blog look! Conincidentally, you also feature prominently in my post for today!

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    1. Carol, so kind of you to share about that Egyptian duck! I really love that collection - so many wonderful poems in there. And I appreciate your words about the new blog look, too. Thank you! xo

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  9. Love your purple octopus and complementary yellow bird leading us into your blog page Irene! Laura's new Haiku book looks delightful and I love the art too, thanks for sharing it with us. And, thanks for hosting this week with a rich cornucopia of poetry books!

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    1. Thank you, Michelle! Laura's new book IS delightful. Happy day after Thanksgiving, and thanks for adding to the cornucopia! xo

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    2. I love Irene new web look, too! Thanks for reading, Michelle:)

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  10. Am looking forward to reading this new gem. Thank you hosting this week.

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  11. I love the new look and your thoughts on your changing blog/writing identity. "Our shifting identities are intensely personal and come barnacled with all that has come before..." Thanks so much for sharing Laura's newest book and the read along link for "If Not for the Cat." I'm looking forward to exploring both! Thanks also for hosting this holiday weekend.

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    1. Yes, Molly, it can take a while for us to recognize our shifting identities... and to celebrate rather than bemoan those changes! This little purple octopus reminds me that it's all good and I'm exactly where I am meant to be. xo

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    2. Thanks, Molly. I hope you like the book!

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  12. Loving the new look of your blog, and this is such a wonderful book! I did guess all the riddles. I'm thinking my students would like reading and writing riddles like this.

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    1. Ruth, your students will love this book! So much fun! xo

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    2. That's my big hope, Ruth. Thanks!

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  13. Thanks for hosting! It's so good to be back! What a happy new look for your blog. Congratulations to you and Charles on your Huck award. You have sent a much-needed book into today's world. May it start many important conversations.

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    1. Mary Lee, a thousand thank yous to you and the committee... more from me and Charles soon! I am hopeful, too, about those conversations to come and honored to be a part of them. xo

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  14. Thank you for hosting today, Irene! Your new blog header is charming and so inviting! Congratulations on the Huck award for Can I Touch You Hair? You and Charles must be over-the-moon thrilled! Thank you, too, for giving us this peek at Laura's new book. I know my students will love it.

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    1. Thank you, Catherine! The Huck Honor is such a thrill and honor -- we are still buzzing. :) You and your students will love Laura's LION for sure! xo

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  15. I love your octopus image and how you are embracing imagination for your identity. Don't put my name into the the giveaway because I got a copy of Lion of the Sky at NCTE. I am inspired by the form and can't wait to try it with my students. Thanks for hosting over this holiday weekend. Happy Thanksgiving All!

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    1. You are amazing, Margaret! Love to seeing a bit of you and your students' riddle-ku.

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  16. Laura's book looks beautiful, all the way around and through - from visuals to text! I'm subbing a haiku collection myself, so I'm always looking to see how others approach the form in their own voice and style. Thanks for sharing this, Irene, and for hosting!

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    1. Thanks, Matt, and good luck with your own haiku collection!

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  17. Well my, oh my. I've been admiring Agnes for a while now, but had completely missed the sweet yellow bird. I'd love to know what they are chatting about! Laura's book looks fab, and I needed some brain teasers to shake off my turkey coma! Happy hosting! :-) Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/

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    1. There's nothing like a good brain teaser, right, Christie!

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  18. Thank you for hosting! Happy Holidays!

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  19. After a lengthy absence from PF, I was so happy to see you were our host today, Irene! I am sad we didn't connect @ NCTE though; I was in the back at your session with Margaret, but I had to leave early, sadly missing the chance to say hello.

    I love the new look of your blog! It perfectly depicts who you are and the great work you do in children's poetry. I am well into my second year in kindergarten, and am excited to share your poems with my fledgling writers.

    TU for this post sharing Laura's new book. It, along with Agnes will be front-and-center as we explore all the poetry as for young poets!

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  20. Your octopus-header makes me smile (as does your poetry!) Congratulations to you and Charles on winning the Charlotte Huck Award!

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  21. This is such a sparkly & generous post, Irene.

    Riddle-Ku: I guessed the umbrella & pencil, only. Laura's new one looks swift!

    Love to see all these gift boxes of poem people, eager for visits, with gems awaiting at their sites.

    All my hugs!

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