Category: News

National Poetry Month: Fun Activities & Challenges for Kids!

April is National Poetry Month! That means it’s time to celebrate the wonderful world of words and rhymes! You probably know that poetry is more than just something you read in class. It’s like a secret code for expressing yourself, playing with language, and discovering new ways to see the world. And guess what? It’s SUPER fun!

Why Poetry Rocks for Kids

Poetry helps you in so many ways! It makes you a better reader because you learn how to understand the rhythm and flow of language. It boosts your imagination, encouraging you to create pictures in your mind with words. Also, writing poetry helps you express your feelings and thoughts in unique and creative ways. Poetry isn’t just about writing long, complicated poems, either. Poems can be short, silly, serious, or anything in between. Think of it like an awesome game you get to play with words.

Celebrate Naomi Shihab Nye

Inspiring Young Poets Through Her Words

Naomi Shihab Nye

Ready for a poetry adventure? Let’s celebrate March 12, the birthday of a truly amazing poet, Naomi Shihab Nye! She’s written tons of wonderful poems and stories, especially for young readers like you. Think of her as a super-powered word-wizard, weaving magic with every line.

She’s not just any poet; she’s held the special title of Young People’s Poet Laureate from 2018 to 2021! That’s like being the official poetry champion for kids, sharing her love of poetry and encouraging kids to find their own voices through writing. It was like having a poet-superhero dedicated to helping young people express themselves!

Why Naomi Shihab Nye is So Special

Mastering Mood: How to Write Poems That Evoke Powerful Emotions

Poetry can be like a magic trick. With just a few words, a poem can make you laugh until your sides hurt, or maybe even feel a little bit scared! That’s the power of mood. Mood is the feeling a poem gives you—the atmosphere it creates. Think of it like the background music in a movie. It sets the stage for everything else.

But how do poets create these moods? It’s all about the words they choose and how they put them together. Let’s explore how you can write poems that evoke different emotions, from happy giggles to spooky goosebumps.

The Building Blocks of Feeling

One of the most important tools for creating mood is word choice. Each word has its own special feeling. “Sunshine” and “rainbow” sound much happier than “storm” and “shadow,” right? When you’re trying to create a certain mood, think carefully about which words will best capture that feeling.

The Magic of Sound in Poetry

Why it Matters and How to Explore It

Unlocking the Magic of Sound in Poetry

Poetry is like a playground for words, and when we think about the sounds words make, it’s like adding a super cool sound system to that playground! Paying attention to the sounds in poetry can make it even more fun and exciting. It’s not just about what the words mean, but also about how they feel to say and hear. Sound is what makes poetry dance and sing.

Why Sound Matters in Children’s Poetry

Think about your favorite song. Is it just the words you like, or the way the music makes you feel? Poetry is similar! Good poetry uses different sounds to create feelings and images in your head. It can be playful, serious, or even a little bit silly. Sound helps to paint the picture the poet is trying to create, adding layers of meaning and emotion that you might not get from just reading the words silently.

Celebrate Guy Wetmore Carryl

Hilarious Poems for Kids (and Adults!)

It’s time to get silly! Let’s celebrate the birthday of Guy Wetmore Carryl, a writer who knew how to tickle a child’s funny bone. Born on March 4th, 1873, Carryl brought a special kind of goofiness to children’s literature. He’s famous for his clever poems and his ability to twist familiar tales into hilarious new shapes. If you haven’t heard of him, imagine a writer who took nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and fables, then added a big dose of playful silliness. That’s Guy Wetmore Carryl!

Why Carryl’s Humor Still Works Today

Guy Wetmore Carryl

What makes Carryl so special, even after all this time? It’s his masterful use of language. He plays with words, creates funny rhymes, and comes up with unexpected twists that kids (and adults!) find utterly delightful. Think about how much fun it is to hear a familiar story told in a brand-new, ridiculous way. Carryl was a master of that! His poems are filled with wordplay, making reading a fun, brain-teasing game. This makes him not only entertaining, but also educational in a sneaky way.

Exploring Carryl’s Poetry: A World of Hilarious Nonsense

Celebrate Read Across America

An Ode to Reading

March is a pretty special month for book lovers! That’s because it’s when we celebrate Read Across America, a nationwide reading celebration that encourages kids to dive into the wonderful world of books. It’s a time to make reading fun, exciting, and something everyone can enjoy. But what exactly is Read Across America, and why do we celebrate it?

A Birthday Party for Reading!

Read Across America started way back in 1998, organized by the National Education Association (NEA). That means it’s been around for over 25 years! The idea behind it was simple: to get kids excited about reading. The kickoff date, March 2nd, was chosen because it’s also the birthday of one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time: Dr. Seuss! While the focus has grown to include diverse authors and stories, the core goal remains the same: to inspire a love of reading in children of all ages.

While March 2nd is the official day, Read Across America is really celebrated all month long! Schools, libraries, and community centers across the country host special events, book readings, and activities to get kids hooked on books. Think of it as a giant, month-long birthday party for reading!

Happy Birthday, Laura E. Richards

The Hilarious Children’s Poet You Need to Know

Did you know that poets have birthdays, too? It’s true! And today, we’re celebrating the birthday of a very special poet named Laura E. Richards. She was born a long, long time ago, but her poems are still loved by kids (and grown-ups!) all over the world.

Laura E. Richards

So, who was Laura E. Richards, and why am I making such a fuss? Well, she wasn’t just any poet. She was a poet who understood how to make kids laugh. She filled her poems with silly words, funny situations, and characters that you just couldn’t help but like. She wrote all kinds of books, but today we’re going to peek into the world of her giggle-inducing poems!

Tirra Lirra: Rhymes Old and New

Tirra Lirra: Rhymes Old and New by Laura E. Richards

One of my favorite books by Laura E. Richards is Tirra Lirra: Rhymes Old and New. It’s a fun collection of silly and playful poems, filled with catchy rhythms and lively characters. This collection includes many of the “greatest hits” poems she had written throughout her life, plus a bunch of new ones. The best part? They’re the kind of poems that make you want to read them out loud, sing along, or even make up your own! If you love poems that are funny, musical, and full of imagination, this book is a great way to celebrate Laura E. Richards’ birthday.

Eletelephony

Let’s take a look at Richards’ most famous poem: “Eletelephony.” Have you ever heard of an elephant who tried to use the telephone? Probably not, but that’s what makes this poem so hilarious!

Unlock Your Inner Poet: How Make-Believe Fuels Creative Writing

Have you ever looked up at the clouds and seen a dragon, or imagined your bedroom turning into a pirate ship? That’s the amazing power of make-believe! It’s not just for playtime; make-believe is super important for learning, growing, and especially, for writing poetry. Poetry lets you take those daydreams and turn them into something real, something you can share with the world. Think of your mind as a playground full of amazing toys—make-believe helps you use them all!

Why Poetry Loves Make-Believe

Poetry is like a magic trick. You take ordinary words and arrange them in a way that makes them sparkle and shine. Make-believe helps you find those sparkly words! When you pretend, you’re not limited by what’s real. You can imagine a dog who talks, a purple pet unicorn, or a street covered in cakes and pies! These kinds of wild ideas are perfect for poems. Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild, even if it sounds silly. The silliest ideas often make the best poems.

Poetry for Everyone: Accessible Editions of My Books

Reading Braille

Did you know that several of my poetry collections are available in accessible formats? If you or someone you know prefers large print, dyslexic-friendly text, DAISY audiobooks, or even Braille editions, you can find them through ReadHowYouWant.

Reading should be for everyone, and I love that my books can reach more kids—especially those who may have trouble with traditional print formats. Whether a child needs bigger text, an easier-to-read font, or an alternative format, these editions make it possible to enjoy the same silly, laugh-out-loud poems that kids everywhere love.

A Festival for Frogs Large Print Edition

Here’s the full list of available books: