Poems for Winter Solstice & Winter Writing

Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Buffy's Blog for roundup.

Today starts my Christmas internet break, but before I go, I've got two oldies but goodies for you... one specifically about the winter solstice, and the other about writing in winter-- something I plan to do a lot of in the coming months! But, first: Christmas and travel and family and JOY! Wishing you joy today and all days... thanks so much for being such a lovely part of 2018!

written and posted 2014

Winter Solstice

No more hurry
hurry.

Time now for firelight
and dreaming,

for church bells
mingling

with the cold
quiet sunlight.

And somewhere
deep

inside of you

a kernel of courage
unfurling --

each day,
more light.

- Irene Latham

written and posted 2011

Writing in Winter

blades slice
easy 8s
across ice pond

You breathe
teeter
weave

arms tight
flung w i d e
tight again

just you
and your tingly
truths

your deliberate
unmittened
heart

and a whirl
of white
waiting

- Irene Latham

TRIBE OF MENTORS: Final Q & A: the Joy of Lists

Welcome to the final installment of my TRIBE OF MENTORS by Timothy Ferriss series, in which I have asked myself the questions posed in the book. Thanks so much for reading!

Earlier posts:
Q.1 about books
Q.2 about best purchase under $100

Q.3 about my favorite failure

Q.4 my billboard message
Q.5 most worthwhile investment
Q.6 absurd love
Q.7 new belief that's improved my life
Q.8 advice for college students
Q.9 bad recommendations for poets & authors
Q.10 how and when to say NO

Today's question:

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do? (If helpful: What questions do you ask yourself?)

So this is a question about getting back on track... no matter how hard we may try, or how good we are at what we do, derailment happens! It just does. Because life is unpredictable, and humans are... human. Here are the words that help me find my way again:

First things first.

Do the next right thing.

One day at a time.

Progress not perfection.

Santa's not the only listmaker! :)

And here's something very practical anyone can do: make a list. Lists have saved the day for me so many times! Just the act of writing a list of what needs to be done helps me feel less overwhelmed. And then when I start ticking things OFF the list? Joy! :)

TRIBE OF MENTORS: Q.10 How (& When) to Say NO

Welcome to the latest installment of my TRIBE OF MENTORS by Timothy Ferriss series. I will post the final question and answer tomorrow.

Earlier posts:
Q.1 about books
Q.2 about best purchase under $100

Q.3 about my favorite failure

Q.4 my billboard message
Q.5 most worthwhile investment
Q.6 absurd love
Q.7 new belief that's improved my life
Q.8 advice for college students
Q.9 bad recommendations for poets & authors

Today's question:

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)? What new realizations and/or approaches helped? Any other tips?

something I said YES to:
a trip to climb the fire tower
at Palisades Park

I adore this question! It's still a struggle for me, saying "no," when my life philosophy is pretty much to say YES to everything! But. I am only one person. And learning to say "no" more often has been essential. 

-->

These days I am better at saying no to anything I do not think I will enjoy. Which means asking a lot of other questions about the event, and being honest: will I be required to sit behind a table for hours? NO. Will I be "competing" with other authors, having to "pitch" my books and beg for people to stop by my table? NO. You get the idea!

...another YES...

The question I ask now is not, “Will it be worth it? Should I?” 

Instead I ask: “Do I WANT to? Will it be fun?" 

And here is the kicker: "Is it worth me giving up time with my family and the peace of the lake?”

When I remember that time is a limited resource, it makes it easier for me to be honest about what these events cost me. And the truth is, I am less and less willing to be someplace else when I can be here with the people I love best.

TRIBE OF MENTORS: Q.9 Bad Recommendations for Poets & Authors

Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Laura Shovan for Roundup.

I do have a poem to share with you today, but first... welcome also to the latest installment of my TRIBE OF MENTORS by Timothy Ferriss series. Just two more questions to go!

Earlier posts:
Q.1 about books
Q.2 about best purchase under $100

Q.3 about my favorite failure

Q.4 my billboard message
Q.5 most worthwhile investment
Q.6 absurd love
Q.7 new belief that's improved my life
Q.8 advice for college students

Today's question:

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

Every conference I attend, every author I meet, the talk soon turns to marketing -- especially in terms of how to use social media to promote a book. There's all kinds of advice out there, from creating a website, to joining the latest and greatest platform to branding your print materials, and on and on.

Here's the thing: All of that stuff is distraction. You can't control book sales or reviews. You can't really measure the success of any of those efforts.

The best thing you can do for your writing career is... WRITE.

And sure, if you love Twitter, tweet! If you love sharing photographs, get on Instagram! These are wonderful ways to connect with other like-minded folks. But don't fool yourself into thinking you "need" to do it, or you "must" do it, or not doing any of it is the reason your book didn't get the response you'd hoped for.

There are so many factors involved! I repeat: so many factors you CANNOT control. The only thing you'll accomplish when you attempt to control these uncontrollables is to make yourself crazy/depressed/heartbroken.

Focus on what you can control: the words you put on the page. Quantity. And success in your career will follow!
---------
And now for a poem. This one I found in a book called THE BILL MARTIN JR, BIG BOOK OF POETRY, edited by Bill Martin Jr., illustrations by a slew of artists, brought to us by Simon & Schuster.
This poem came to mind because earlier this week I took a photograph of a pink morning sky -- and that got me thinking about night skies and whatever-the-hour skies.

pink morning

So Many Nights

So many nights.
Blue nights.
Brown nights,
and the sudden lights
In deep black nights
Of stars
And cars
And airplanes
And soft gray nights when it rains
And blue nights with a foggy moon
Smoking in the trees

And pink and red nights
Above great cities
And silver nights all filled with stars
And misty nights when a white mist
Drifts
And lifts over the white-topped fields
And purple nights beyond the lights
Of your own room
And blue snowy nights
And night that is just
Dark bright night.

- Margaret Wise Brown

What are your favorite skies?

TRIBE OF MENTORS: Q.8 Advice for College Students

Welcome to the latest installment of my TRIBE OF MENTORS by Timothy Ferriss series.

Earlier posts:
Q.1 about books
Q.2 about best purchase under $100

Q.3 about my favorite failure

Q.4 my billboard message
Q.5 most worthwhile investment
Q.6 absurd love
Q.7 new belief that's improved my life

Today's question:
What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?

I love this question! And it's one I've had the opportunity to talk a lot about here lately with our new college freshman. And, as it happens, my favorite parts of TRIBE OF MENTORS are in answer to this question.

a path my father took
(in North Dakota)

My answer is this:

There's no right/wrong path... just different paths. Whatever choice you make will teach you something/move you toward something. Just choose and GO.

As for advice to ignore: maybe... ignore all advice. Go out and make your own mistakes. Research, explore, do... your life is happening NOW, not in some distant, fuzzy future.

TRIBE OF MENTORS: Q.7 New Belief That's Most Improved My Life

Welcome to the latest installment of my TRIBE OF MENTORS by Timothy Ferriss series.

Earlier posts:
Q.1 about books
Q.2 about best purchase under $100

Q.3 about my favorite failure

Q.4 my billboard message
Q.5 most worthwhile investment
Q.6 absurd love

Today's question:

In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?

I could say all sorts of things here: playing the cello, drinking veggie juice every day, moving to the lake, daily meditation practice, Alanon... the past five years have definitely been the best in my life! And I think mostly it's because of shifting beliefs...
In general: 

Gratitude. Being grateful for everything I have rather than focusing on what I don't have.

Not being so attached to my thoughts/feelings.

Choosing to be happy.

Letting go of things I can't control.

Meeting people where they are, instead of where I want them to be.

Specifically related to my writing career, this quote:

"There is no limit to what a person can do or where s/he can go if s/he doesn't mind who gets the credit."

and this one, for everything: PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION.

I could go on... but that's enough for today. :)


--> -->

TRIBE OF MENTORS: Q.6: Absurd Love

Welcome also to the latest installment of my TRIBE OF MENTORS by Timothy Ferriss series.

Earlier posts:
Q.1 about books
Q.2 about best purchase under $100

Q.3 about my favorite failure

Q.4 my billboard message
Q.5 most worthwhile investment

Today's question:

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

Maggie keeping the new
quilt warm.

I ran through a number of things in my head before I settled on this: quilts. I love quilts. I'm kind of like a cat lady when it comes to quilts... when I see one, I have to take it home! Just the other day I was in an antique store with a friend, and there was this beat-up quilt. The batting was coming out in all kinds of places, but I just looked at it -- the colors, the stitching, the stains -- and I could just imagine the life it's lived and the stories it has to tell! My friend bargained with the seller, and for $15, I brought it home.

I don't know what I'm going to do with all these quilts. Every now and then I promise myself (and my husband!): no more quilts! But it never lasts. I love opening the closet and just admiring the way they looked all stacked together, those colors and patterns moving and blending... and I love alternating my display of quilts around the house, according to the season. Of course right now the focus is on red and green for the Christmas season.

Here's what I know: We love what we love. It's something beyond our control or understanding, really... maybe even hardwired. And it needn't make sense to anyone else. (the Quilt Lady has spoken!)

TRIBE OF MENTORS Q.5: Most Worthwhile Investment

Welcome also to the latest installment of my TRIBE OF MENTORS by Timothy Ferriss series.

Earlier posts:
Q.1 about books
Q.2 about best purchase under $100

Q.3 about my favorite failure
Q.4 your billboard message

Today's question:

-->

What is one of the best and most worthwhile investments you've ever made? (Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc.)

So many things come to mind! And they all have to do with educating myself about writing. There's my SCBWI membership, and all the conferences I've ever attended... the Artist's Way support group I joined a few years ago... the writing retreats with sweet friends... the website, the bookmarks, the postcards... BUT... if I had to pick one thing, it would be this: learning to be an effective public speaker.

No one tells you when you say "I want to write and publish a book" that a big part of that life is sharing yourself in a public way -- especially when you write for kids.

The year LEAVING GEE'S BEND was released -- my first novel for children -- I gave over 100 presentations! I presented at schools and book festivals and quilting groups and writing groups and teacher/librarian/educator conferences. I'm a shy person who would much rather be behind the scenes than onstage, so this wasn't easy! However, the more I've done it, the better I've gotten at delivering the message I want... and not just delivering it, figuring out what it is in the first place. :)

possibly my first school visit
as a children's book author
 (2010)

Being able to talk about books is a whole separate skill set than writing them. I'm still learning. But I can do it now without quaking or being sick, which is a huge improvement. I've successfully addressed students from Kindergarten all the way through college... writers of all ages... even auditoriums full of middle schoolers, which is still the most intimidating! BUT. Some of my most meaningful interactions have been with middle schoolers. And it's those connections that make facing the fear, creating the presentations, working to get better at it... all worth it.

Also: something that's helped me on this public speaking journey and in all areas of my life: a regular meditation practice. I use Headspace. Check it out!

TRIBE OF MENTORS: Q.4 Your Billboard Message Here

Hello and Happy Spiritual Journey Thursday! Roundup is here. Today we are reflecting on our 2018 One Little Word. We are also signing up for next year. 

Welcome also to the latest installment of my TRIBE OF MENTORS by Timothy Ferriss series.

Earlier posts:
Q.1 about books
Q.2 about best purchase under $100

Q.3 about my favorite failure

Today's question:

If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it – metaphorically speaking, getting a message out to millions or billions – what would it say and why? It could be a few words or a paragraph. (If helpful, it can be someone else's quote: Are there any quote you think of often or live your life by?)

Isn't this a great question on a day when we are discussing words, and the power of words to impact our lives?!

My first thought: Live your poem. I mean, obviously, it's what I celebrate here, on my digital billboard. What does it mean? Well, a lot of things -- and it can mean different things to different people. For me, it means going my own way, being my authentic self, celebrating each moment, diving deep into life, being brave, vulnerable, paying attention, beholding (!), loving the world in the ways that are important to me. 

What does "live your poem" mean to you? What would your billboard say?

Behold:
sky pinkens at dusk
beaver moon admires itself
in hushed waters

And now, about my 2018 One Little Word "BEHOLD:" I chose this word because I wanted to really pay attention to each moment of my life, to do more than just look: to behold with wonder and awe and joy.

I do think I've done a lot of behold-ing this year. Moving to the lake has allowed much opportunity for appreciating the seasons and wildlife all around us. But the word hasn't been as much a part of my life as in other years... in fact, a couple of times, I had to look on my blog to remember what my word was! Ha ha! I think it's just been a very busy year, full of change. I am looking forward to a quiet-er, more settled 2019.

Please leave your link here!

An InLinkz Link-up

Finally, here is a signup for 2019 hosts for Spiritual Journey Thursday. Please leave in comments your name and your topic (if you know it).  We will of course check in with each other via email each month regarding topics. No pressure! Thanks so much for sharing the journey. xo

2019

January 3 - Ruth @ there is no such thing as a godforsaken town -"2019 OLW"

February 7 - Donna @ Mainely Write - "home is where the heart is"

March 7 - Doraine - "balance"

April 4 - Dani Burtsfield

May 2 -  Carol @ Beyond LiteracyLink - tbd

June 6 -  Ramona @ Pleasures on the Page - "significance"

July 4

August 1 Margaret @ Reflections on the Teche - "change"

September 5

October 3 - Karen Eastlund - tbd

November 7

December 5 - Irene @ Live Your Poem -reflections on 2019 OLW

TRIBE OF MENTORS: Q.3 Favorite Failure

Today I am continuing my TRIBE OF MENTORS by Timothy Ferriss series.

Earlier posts:
Q.1 about books
Q.2 about best purchase under $100

Today's question:
How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

I got my start in children's publishing with a middle grade novel LEAVING GEE'S BEND. That book found a warm, loving readership, and I followed up with another middle grade novel DON'T FEED THE BOY, which also happily found an audience. I thought that's what I was: a poet and novelist. A writer of middle grade novels.

And so I kept writing them. Novel after novel. I submitted them to my agent, who also loved (most of) them. But none of them sold. After four years of this, I was disheartened and questioning everything about myself as a writer.

So I turned to my other love: poetry. I just let myself play and have fun. Eventually I shared them with my agent. We started submitting these projects. And lo and behold, a few of these manuscripts sold! Poetry first, and then narrative picture books.

And then some were released, and more of them sold! I currently find myself swimming in picture books, and I. Love. It.

None of this could have happened if I hadn't "failed" with all those middle grade novels. And I know that every word I've written moves me toward something new, some other learning, some higher plateau. It wasn't a "waste of time." I don't wish I'd re-routed sooner. It all happened just as it needed to.

Just so you know, I haven't given up on middle grade novels. I'm still writing them and have some exciting news I hope to share very soon. :)

Meanwhile, my next picture book MEET MISS FANCY will be released in January, thanks to Excellent Editor Stacey Barney from Putnam -- with whom I worked on that very first novel (LEAVING GEE'S BEND). Cool, huh?

TRIBE OF MENTORS Q.2 Best Under $100 Purchase

Today I am continuing my TRIBE OF MENTORS by Timothy Ferriss series. Read the first post and Q.1 about books here.

Today's question:

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last 6 months (or in recent memory)? My readers love specifics like brand and model, where you found it, etc.

Our move from the oh-so-convenient suburbs to the lawless side of a rural county has meant lots of changes, especially about our eating habits. We can no longer dash out and grab take-out for supper. No quick trips to the grocery for eggs. Because the nearest store is at least 15 minutes away, we've had to do more meal planning.

So, a few months in, we ordered stuff from Omaha Steaks. Having food in the deep-freeze is GREAT! But we really do not eat a lot of red meat. (Omaha lobster tails are excellent! Also the apple tarts. Yum!) Lucky for us, in the first Omaha shipment, there was a coupon for HelloFresh. It's a meal kit delivery program in which you choose the meals you want, and they send you the ingredients for you to cook. Check it out: www.hellofresh.com

We signed up -- and we love it! It totally takes the stress out of "what are we going to eat tonight?" We subscribed to the 3 meals a week for 2 package (cost is $10 per person per meal, so $59.99 a week), and not only is everything fresh, but the recipes are inventive. We have tried things we've never tried before, like Moroccan chicken tagine. (Recently they did a series of "global eats," which we particularly enjoyed.) There are so many meal choices, and here's the best part: no waste. It's enough food for 2. We prepare it. We eat it. It's gone! And all the packaging is recyclable.

Who knows what the future holds, but for now we are happy subscribers and intend on keeping it that way. :)

What about you? What's your answer to the question?

Mentors, The Prophet, and Poetry as an Answer

Hello and Happy last Poetry Friday of November! Be sure to visit Carol's Corner for Roundup.

Thanks to all who read and commented last week about Laura Purdie Salas' forthcoming LION OF THE SKY. The winner of the f&g is....

Molly Hogan at Nix the Comfort Zone! Molly, please email me your address: irene (at) irenelatham (dot) com

Thank you!

Today I'd like to share with you a book I've really enjoyed: TRIBE OF MENTORS: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Timothy Ferriss. The author wrote it after a tough year in which several near and dear to him died. He wanted to know their answers to some questions, and now it was too late. So, the author interviewed people at the top of their fields, whether it be entertainment, business, inventor, scientist, etc... and the experience changed his life. 

The book has been meaningful to me as well -- both the answers to the questions, and the questions themselves. So I thought it might be fun to ask myself the questions, and post my own answers to them here, as a series. Maybe someday my kids will read them.

So today is Day One. 

1. What is the book (or books) you've given most as a gift, and why? Or what are one to three books that have greatly influenced your life?

At first this seemed like an impossible question. Book lovers, you know what I mean! My life has been greatly influenced by a whole bunch of books!

But then, when I really stopped to think about it, I knew my answer: 

THE PROPHET by Khalil Gibran. Whatever I'm going through in my life, this is my go-to book -- thanks to my father, who gave me my first copy when I was 13 or 14. It's wise and beautiful and full of nature-inspired analogies.

At our wedding, my father read two passages from the book, and one of my most treasured possessions is a copy of the book that my father gave me not long before he died -- the best part is that it contains his highlighted passages and dog ears and even some comments in the margins. 

Recently I gifted our youngest son with a copy, and much to my delight, he loves it, too!

As for most-oft gifted books, I have a tradition of giving books to librarians, administrators, organizers who hire me for appearances. The title often changes with my interests and will sometimes be an anthology in which my own work appears. This year at schools I've most often gifted SCHOOL PEOPLE, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins. 

For the past couple of years I have gifted new parents and parents of young children (and young children themselves) ONE MINUTE TILL BEDTIME, edited by Kenn Nesbitt. (I do not have a poem in the anthology; I just think there's something in the book for everyone and anyone!)

So. Isn't it telling, that all my answers are books of poetry?

Yep. I'm a poetry person through and through. How about you? What's your answer to this question?

Wordless Picture Books for #GivingTuesday

Karim Shamsi-Basha and I are huge fans of The Cat Man of Aleppo, and in our research on our forthcoming book, we found out that Alaa is now running an orphanage in addition to Ernesto's Cat Sanctuary. At the time Karim spoke with Alaa, there were 68 kids living in the orphanage.

We immediately started thinking about how we might reach out to these kids, and we landed on "wordless picture books" because
1) they are good for any age child
2) it doesn't matter if you are a good reader
3) or what language you know
4) Karim can deliver them when he travels to Aleppo next spring to film a documentary about The Cat Man.

Thank you, Jama!

So far we've collected about 20 books! THANK YOU! But we still need more. If you'd like to participate, pick your favorite wordless picture book and mail it to:

Irene Latham
PO Box 122
Oneonta, Alabama 35121

Can't think of a wordless picture book? Try these links to lists of wordless picture book titles:
Reading Rockets
All About Learning Press
Goodreads
A Fuse #8 Production

Thank you for joining us in making a difference in a child's life!

Remembering Ruby with GOOD ROSIE by Kate DiCamillo

For the past 8 years we've enjoyed the companionship of our high-energy, sweet, protective, crazy Australian shepherd Ruby.

She died this past Saturday, and we are feeling so sad, so lonely without her.

Those of you who have beloved pets know what I'm talking about -- because you don't bring home that puppy or kitten without knowing that someday this day will come.

It's a tough time.

What's helped has been thinking about all the things we've loved about Ruby, all the joy she brought to our lives. Here's the start of our list:

last pic of Ruby

how much she loved licking out the peanut butter jar
her passion for bacon grease

her enthusiasm for the rubber chicken

how she'd bark as if to say “throw it! Throw it again!”

the way she'd cock her head

her high energy

the joy she had in running

how she was so polite that she didn't want to eat in front of you

how excited she was to get a treat

how she would dip her paws in the water bowl to help her cool off

how she followed us around the outside of the house when we were inside without her

how she howled along when I played my cello

the way she rubbed against things to scratch an itch

the way she'd grunt in pleasure when you scratched an itch for her

her little nub wagging

how happy she was to go on walks

how she made those chairs on the front porch her own

how good she was in the bath

how tenderly she took anything from your hand

how faithful she was, how close she stayed

how she was always rounding us up

how she did a sweep of our yard and the neighbor's yard

how proud she was of that last Thanksgiving turkey bone

the way she knew so many words
how she barked at thunder and chased it
how excited she got about falling leaves

how funny she was about getting into the boat – not sure where/when to get in -- but determined to get in!

how she'd stand at the prow as we cruised the lake, and then would lay down to enjoy the ride

how she piddled around the shore, investigating, and didn't know what to do the first time we put her in the lake

how she would set off an alarm when anyone suspicious came near our house

how she would let us pet her when she was half asleep

how she would get up and follow Eric to the door when he went inside -- ever the escort

Ruby was Eric's dog really. (Parents, you know how that goes, right?) He said there would never be another dog as good as Ruby. He's right. This loss has been really tough for him.

Something else helping us to get through this time is reading dog books. For some time I've been meaning to blog about GOOD ROSIE! by Kate DiCamillo, illus. by Harry Bliss, brought to us by Candlewick.

I love this book! It's like a graphic novel for the young set. And Rosie truly is a good dog and loves her human George. (Those early scenes really do remind me of Ruby!) But Rosie is a little lonely, too. She needs some dog-friends. She has a lot to learn when she first visits the dog park. Eventually, after some near-disasters, she gains two new friends in Fifi and Maurice. It's super-sweet. I hope you'll check it out and remember those special pets in your life.

Meanwhile, I'll be here, remembering Ruby.

Ruby's first Christmas (2010)

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!

An InLinkz Link-up

A Few Highlights from #NCTE18

Now that I am a little more recovered from my trip to Houston for another amazing NCTE annual conference, I wanted to pop in with just a few highlights, presented in more or less chronological order. (This post could go on for days... I am hyper aware of all the folks I am not mentioning here.. so so many, and I love you all! What a wonderful tribe to be a part of. On this Thanksgiving eve and every day, I am so very grateful.)

Nancy's newest book

1. Suppering with my Charlesbridge editor Karen Boss and author-poet-friend Nancy Bo Flood. Karen and I have a book together coming in 2020, and I loved hearing her world-traveler stories! Also, she gave a synopsis of one of *my* books that I totally should have recorded (because Karen is way better at describing it than I am!). And Nancy is always a joy. Always.

2. A graphic novel session in which I was hyperaware of the power of art/doodling/drawing. Sometimes kids are intimidated by words, but pictures let them in and opens them up... I continue to be a huge fan of graphic novels! I particularly loved learning with Nathan Hale.... and making a new friend with a passionate teaching student attending NCTE for the first time!

3. Not only was Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell's poetry session filled with poetry friends, its focus was on the JOY of poetry. It got me thinking about the power of white space and poetry as a partnership. Perhaps most inspiring was listening to elementary school principal Tom Marshall share all the ways he makes poetry a part of the culture in is school. For instance, at the entrance of the school is a sign that says these words:

4. Hearing Guadalupe Garcia McCall read her poems and meeting Il Sung Na, who is illustrating my book WILD PEACE, coming from Roaring Brook 2021. I loved hearing Il Sung's process of writing and illustrating his newest THE DREAMER, which is a full-circle book (opening text and closing text are the same!) as well as an open-ended book, which I personally love. I was also comforted by the many revisions and the years that passed before he arrived at the final product.

Nonfiction panel! Laura P. Salas,
Ann Marie Corgill, Irene Latham,
Shawn Harris, Jen Vincent, Aly Beecher

5. Presenting with poets and teachers I admire... and sharing Ramona's pumpkin bread after the poetry session. Also learning SO MUCH during the nonfiction panel from the other panelists! Those "question" books, Ann Marie... thank you!


6. Breakfast of champions -- with champions Carol Hinz, Laura Purdie Salas, Maria Gianferrari! (I'm noticing quite a few of my highlights include food! Yum!)

Maria, Carol, Irene, Laura

7. Chris Emdin saying "you can be an introvert on your own time." (but not in the classroom) This is good advice for authors, too!

me and my table mates!

8. The Children's Book Awards Luncheon. This is always my favorite events of the conference! Why? Great table mates! Great speakers! Jason Chin reminding us that both art and science rely on imagination. Dan Santat sharing the origins of AFTER THE FALL, and reminding us to "just do what you love and you are going to be okay."

9. Texting Charles Waters when CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR? was announced as a Charlotte Huck Honor Book. (!!!) Click here to see a video of the announcement (filmed by Chris Barton).

Check out Jen Vincent's
 octopus tattoo!

10. Octopuses everywhere! People were so sweet about all my octo-gear... scarf! t-shirts! jewelry!... and I'm so grateful for the AGNES-love. But, really, Jen Vincent gets the octopus prize...


11. The M.R. Robinson Thanksgiving Dinner. Wow. I expected a sales show, not something so tender and moving. It's one of those things you've got to experience. I'll be totally there next year.

See you next year! :)