Enter CP’s Poetry Month Contest to Win “The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane”

8 April, 2011 | | No Comment

In honor of poetry month, I am super excited to give away a GREAT prize:

C.M. Millen’s The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane, winner of the 2011 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award!

Here’s what you have to do to win:

  1. Become a follower of @CupcakePoetry on Twitter and send me a tweet telling me your favorite children’s poetry book or rhyming picture book.
  2. Leave a comment on this blog post letting me know you entered.
  3. Subscribe to my blog so you will know when the winner is announced. Just click the RSS icon in the upper right hand corner.

That’s it! And once you do those two things, you’re entered and I’ll draw the winner at random at the end of the month.

Good luck, and happy poetry month!!

~Sara

PS:  Don’t have Twitter? Don’t worry. It’ll only take a minute or two to make a twitter account and send the contest tweet. Enjoy! Twitter is fun!

Don’t know how to direct tweets at people? That’s easy, too. Just type @ and their name — so a tweet to me would say: @cupcakepoetry, my favorite book is Where the Sidewalk Ends!

Posted in Contests | No Comments »

Happy Poetry Month!!

2 April, 2011 | | No Comment

Hello, everyone! It’s poetry month and I love to imagine that everyone is doing something with their children or students to observe the occasion. I plan on giving you lots of ideas for how you might enjoy poetry with kids this month, but for now, I’d recommend just getting your hands on some really good children’s poetry!

Below is a great recommendation for every age group. Enjoy!

Infant
Haiku Baby by Betsy E. Snyder

Toddler
Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry by Jane Yolen

Preschool
The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders by Jack Prelutsky

K-4
Red Sings From the Treetops: A Year In Colors by Joyce Sidman

Grade 5+
The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration fo Nature, Science and Imagination by Mary Ann Hoberman

Grade 7+
Sketches From a Spy Tree by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer


Posted in Age: 5-8, Age: Birth-3, Age: Preschool, Poems & Poetry Collections, Poet: Hoberman, Mary Ann, Poet: Prelutsky, Jack, Poet: Zimmer, Tracie Vaughn | No Comments »

The State of Children’s Poetry Publishing.

2 February, 2011 | | No Comment

I just read Sylvia Vardell‘s latest blog and am so inspired to share. I don’t have a lot of blog followers yet but, boy, do I wish I did so we could discuss!

Vardell’s blog consisted of an interview with poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins on the future of poetry publishing for kids. You can read the interview here.

The main point of the interview was that Bennett believes the anthology is dead, at least in the current market. Some reasons:

  • permission costs are super high these days
  • anthologists must compete for publication with big, marketable celebrity names like Caroline Kennedy and Julie Andrews
  • young editors know little about poetry
  • teachers aren’t into teaching poetry

At one point in the interview Vardell points out that picture book publishing in general seems to be on the decline. I must admit, the tone of the interview was slightly glum.

However, I’d like to state for the record that these publishing hardships for poets make me optimistic. I believe these obstacles will make poets work harder to write dazzling verse and come up with strong themes that will take children’s poetry in fresh directions. Beyond excellent writing, though, today’s poets will be forced to learn the art of marketing themselves and promoting children’s poetry in general.

My prediction is that if we experience a children’s poetry drought, it will only make the genre stronger. We will see a  few amazing collections emerge that will get attention. We will get better at marketing these collections. And we will see an internet movement occur, promoting the merits of poetry to educators, librarians, parents, policy makers, publishers and, most important, children themselves.

If such a movement exists now in its early stages, Vardell might be considered its leader. Everyone should visit the blog and give her some love for keeping up such an excellent children’s poetry source. Thanks, Sylvia, for a great interview and for your constant outstanding work.

Someday I hope this blog has as much to offer. :)

Posted in General Information, Poet: Hopkins, Lee Bennett, Publishing, The Power of Poetry | No Comments »

3 Great Rhyming Read-Alouds for Young Children

15 October, 2010 | | No Comment

Some books your little ones might enjoy (that are also a nice break from board books).

My daughter Amelia is 8 months old. I think she sits through a small stack of books pretty well for her age. Granted, most of the books she really likes have one of the following features:

  • Touch-and-feel elements. (Like furry puppies, gauzy tutus, and bumpy turtle shells.)
  • Pictures of other kids and babies. (She loves to point at the babies! Interesting, since studies show that babies have a visual preference from birth for looking at human faces.)
  • Lift-the-flap surprises. (The Peek-a-Boo books are her favorite.)

I’m all for reading WHATEVER books a child enjoys. As Dr. Jenn Berman, pediatrician and author of Superbaby writes, “make reading enjoyable and your child will want to do it.” This is a great rule of thumb!

So, if we’re to follow that rule it is important that we choose books according to our children’s reading preferences rather than our own. But sometimes, I have such a strong desire to read something a little meatier, lengthier and more sophisticated. I’ve experimented with a number of such books, but we’ve only made it beyond the first couple of pages with a few of them. And the few are FABULOUS! Here are three great exceptions that are very much enjoyed by BOTH Amelia and Mom & Dad! The common thread between all three? POETRY!

Where’s My Mom

When I picked up Julia Donaldson’s Where’s My Mom? I thought, ‘Oh, boy. What’s this? A rip-off of the classic Are You My Mother?‘ But I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the over-used ‘mother and baby animal’ theme, this book was fresh and a great read-aloud. The rhythm makes the book flow really well and Donaldson’s use of language in describing the various animals in the book is unique and vivid. The placement of the text is also very well done — so much that I find it hard not to change up the voices for the two main characters.

This book is funny, sweet and well-written. The pictures are lush and colorful.

Wild About Books

Again, I kind of felt like the theme of Wild About Books is kind of tired. ‘Zoo animals and ‘Books are good!’ has certainly be done before. But Judy Sierra’s writing makes this book so fun to read. (That’s why it won the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, after all.) Her rhythm and rhyme are really enjoyable and there’s lots of things in the books to make kids giggle — and to make parents laugh. At one point a scorpion gives scathing reviews of haiku written by bugs. The reviews will be lost on little ones but they are hilarious for parents.  I also enjoy the part where the hippo wins a “Zoolitzer Prize” for her memoir entitled Mud in My Blood. A happy bonus: the pictures are colorful and gorgeous!

Baby Danced the Polka

Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont was sent to me by an old friend, Eilis, that I hadn’t talked to in years. She saw on Facebook that I’d had a baby and sent it to us. (Super nice, right?)

Anyway, she wrote that it was one of her family’s favorites and it’s quickly become one of ours. This book is adorable and hilarious and perfectly written. Beaumont’s use of poetic devices like consonance and alliteration is masterful, as seen in lines like,

“Baby shooby-doobied
With the shaggy little sheep.”

and

“Whoa! Papa’s whiskers!
Whoa! Mama’s wig!
‘Go!’ Baby giggled with the polka-dotted pig.

Her rhythm and rhyme are so musical, we usually end up bouncing along when read it. Plus, the pictures (by Jennifer Plecas) are outstanding and every couple of pages there is a flap that reveals the dancing animals when lifted. Though this is not a board book, Dial Books even went so far as to make the pages extra heavy and rip-resistant. Perhaps they did this because they knew it would be a favorite.

This book is at the top of my list of great gifts.

Note for writers: These three books hold two great lessons for us! 1. Great read-alouds will always capture attention. 2. Even tired themes like lost mothers, bedtime, talking animals and reading can be great with a fresh perspective and awesome writing.

Posted in Age: 5-8, Age: Birth-3, Age: Preschool, Great Read-alouds, Rhyming Picture Books | No Comments »

Comprehensive List of Children’s Poetry Publishers

12 October, 2010 | | 1 Comment

Want to publish a book of children’s poetry? Well, I’ve got good news for you: if your collection is to find a publishing home, then that home is below. Someday, this site will have detailed information on all of these publishers. Until then, here is a list of links to children’s poetry publishers in the American, Canadian & U.K. markets:

Alaska Northwest Books

All ABout Kids Publishing

Barefoot Books

Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Boyds Mills Press

Candlewick Press

Child’s Play (International) Ltd.

Creative Company

Dial Books for Young Readers

Disney Hyperion Books for Children

Dutton Children’s Books

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc.

David Fickling Books

David R. Godine Publisher

Graphia

Harcourt Children’s Books

Henry Holt & Company

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Kids Can Press

Lee & Low Books Inc.

Moose Enterprise Book & Theatre Play Publishing

Orchard Books

Philomel Books

Piano Press

Pitspopany Press

Mathew Prince Ltd.

PUSH

Random House Children’s Books

Raven Tree Press

Red Deer Press

Roaring Brook Press

Running Press Kids

Thistledown Press Ltd.

Tricycle Press

Viking Children’s Books

Paula Wiseman Books

HAPPY WRITING AND SUBMITTING! :)

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Posted in Publishers | 1 Comment »

Babies Don’t Keep.

8 October, 2010 | | No Comment

My sister-in-law is in labor RIGHT NOW and the waiting is transporting me back to the day Amelia was born, almost 8 months ago. How quickly time passes.

Every night when I rock Amelia to sleep I think to myself that this moment, right then, may very well be the best moment of my life. Every night! And in the craziness of every day, when I’m busy and running around like a madwoman, I try to remember the following poem. My own mother told me that my great grandmother gave her this poem in a card when I was born. Although I am probably guilty of not putting off the chores enough, I love this poem and it’s another (like Zimmer’s “And She Does“) that belongs on the fridge to remind me of what’s truly precious.

I think I’d better print it out for my sister-in-law right now! :)

Song for a Fifth Child

    by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

Posted in Poems & Poetry Collections | No Comments »

How to Read a Poem Aloud

29 September, 2010 | | No Comment

Sheesh! Tonight is one of those nights where there are so many things I want to do and not enough time to do them all. And my sweet 7-month-old keeps wanting me to come upstairs and snuggle her…well, at least that’s how I like to interpret crying. :)

Anyway, this post will be short and sweet but I want to share a poem with a great message about reading, thinking about, and appreciating poetry. It would be a great discussion-starter when teaching poetry. I love it!

HOW TO READ A POEM ALOUD
by April Halprin Wayland

First, read the title of the poem

and the poet’s name.

Be clear.

Now completely

disappear.

Let each line

shine.

Then read it

one more time.

When the poem

ends, sigh.

Think about the poet at her desk,
late at night, picking up her pen to write…

and why.

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Posted in Activities, General Information, Poems & Poetry Collections, Poet: April Halprin, read aloud poetry children kids | No Comments »

Halloween Poetry Give-Away! Win Jack Prelutsky’s “It’s Halloween!”

26 September, 2010 | | 1 Comment

I am not exaggerating when I say that this is the book that made me love poetry. When I was little my mom purchased Jack Prelutsky‘s It’s Halloween through a school book order. It came with a cassette tape and my younger brother and I must have listened to this book and read it over 400 times.

I can still TO THIS DAY recite the entire thing (all 13 poems) from beginning to end. Need me to prove it? See the end of this post.

Anyway, I’m just dying to give away a copy of this book. If you’d like to win, it’s super easy. Just do one of the following:

  • Comment on anything on this whole blog from now until October 16.
  • Follow Cupcakes and Bluegrass on twitter: @cupcakepoetry & retweet one tweet.
  • “Like” Cupcakes and Bluegrass on Facebook and comment on something there. If you already “like” it, just a comment will do. :)

Kathleen Isaac of London, England was the winner of September’s book give-away. Who will be October’s winner? I can’t wait to find out and to share this book!!

HAPPY FALL!

P.S.  Proof that I still (at almost 30 years old) can recite It’s Halloween! :)

“Hello! I’m Jack Prelutsky. It’s time to read “It’s Halloween!” I wrote the poems and Marilyn Hatfield drew the pictures. When you hear this sound (chimes), it’s time to run the page. (music) It’s Halloween, it’s Halloween. The moon is full and bright! And we shall see what can’t be seen on any other night. Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls, grinning goblins fighting duels, wherewolves rising from their tombs, witches on their magic brooms. In masks and gowns we haunt the streets and knock on doors for trick or treat. Tonight we are the king and queen for, oh, tonight it’s Halloween!  “Skeleton Parade”…the skeletons are out tonight, they march about the streets, with bony bodies, bony heads and bony hands and feet! Bony, bony, bony, bones with nothing in between…”

You get the picture. I LOVED this book and your kids will, too!

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Posted in Contests, Poet: Prelutsky, Jack, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Great Tips & Books for Reading Poetry with Very Young Children

24 September, 2010 | | 1 Comment

Reading poems with very young children is a great way to get them to enjoy the ritual of sitting down to read, foster closeness, and promote linguistic, intellectual and emotional development.

Below you’ll find:

  • some tips from former U.S. children’s poet laureate Jack Prelutsky and the Poetry Foundation for reading poetry with very young children.
  • a list of great first poetry book picks to share with your chidlren (infant-preschool).

A Few Tips for Enjoying Poetry with Very Young Children

MAKE READING A DAILY PRACTICE – A SPECIAL TIME FOR BOTH OF YOU TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

It could be during the afternoon to provide quiet quality time, or perhaps right before bedtime to calm the child after an active day. Find a special place in your home to sit together while you read-snuggling together while listening to a parent read makes the child feel safe, loved and happy.

READ THROUGH THE WHOLE BOOK TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE POEMS BEFORE CHOOSING WHICH ONE TO READ TO YOUR CHILD.

This will help you pick the perfect poem that relates to the day, the weather, or an upcoming event- for example, read a poem about animals before visiting the zoo.

CHOOSE RHYTHMIC POEMS AND VARY YOUR TONE TO KEEP THE ATTENTION OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.

While they may not understand words yet, they will respond to the sounds. As your child gets older, begin to encourage your child to repeat the words you read to them. Point out the pictures that relate to what you are reading. If they start enjoying a particular poem you may look into other books by that poet.

Cupcakes & Bluegrass Recommends:

Great First Poetry Books for Children

Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry

by Jane Yolen

In this book you’ll find great poems and great art, both wonderful for sharing with toddlers and pre-schoolers. The themes are drawn right from any child’s everyday life. School Library Journal calls the contributors of this book a “who’s who of children’s poetry.” They include Margaret Wise Brown, Nikki Grimes, Aileen Fisher, Jack Prelutsky, and others. This book is seriously charming — great to read with your children and an excellent gift for new parents.

Baby Face, A Book of Love for Baby

by Cynthia Rylant

This adorable collection of 6 poems gets rave reviews from readers on amazon. The illustrations are very cute watercolors of multi-ethnic babies and each poem and image depicts a baby doing an activity with a family member. The themes are baby-appropriate and the length just right. This is a super-sweet book to share with your little one.

Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young

by Jack Prelutsky

Anyone who has ever visited this blog knows I am a huge fan of Jack Prelutsky. The man is a master of sound. His rhythm and meter is spot-on and his never-forced use of poetic devices like alliteration and consonance is always delightful. The poems are silly and entertaining and the illustrations are colorful and exciting for young readers. There’s a good chance you and your children will find yourselves bouncing along to the poems. I love this book!

Haiku Baby

by Betsy E. Snyder

In this book a bluebird visits lots of different animal friends in the forest. The haiku are very tasteful — not too serious and not too cute. Tabs on the side of the book make it unique and easy for little figers to turn pages (why don’t more books have these??). This is more than just a great (and trendy) gift for new parent. It is great poetry that you and your little one will enjoy over and over.

Pretty Poems & Wonderful Words,

by Julie Aiger-Clark

Often, all it takes is the Baby Einstein brand stamped on a product to make parents believe it is good for their children. But brand aside, this book of poetry by Robert Louis Stevenson is really good! The poetry and pictures are very engaging and there are lift-the-flap surprises throughout. (My daughter loves those!) This book is great for vocabulary development and fun at the same time.


The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders, by Jack Prelutsky

This book is a certifiable giggle fest! Even though the poems are ridiculous, parents will enjoy them almost as much as kids. The illustrations are so gorgeous and vivid and the poems so musical that even my 6-month old will sit and listen to this entire 64-page book — twice! I’d highly recommend this one…that’s why Cupcakes and Bluegrass gave it away in September! ;)

Posted in General Information, Poet: Prelutsky, Jack, Poet: Yolen, Jane, The Power of Poetry | 1 Comment »

Reading Poetry, Family Closeness & Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children

23 September, 2010 | | No Comment

I’ve been reading Dr. John Gottman’s Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child and one thing he recommends is making family reading time a habit well into your child’s older years. He says often parents stop reading with their children once they are old enough to read to themselves because they don’t see much of a need for it anymore. However, Gottman says reading with older children is great because:

  • It opens the door to conversation about emotional issues and situations that arise within the books. Gottman provides a list of great conversation-starting book for different ages at the end of his book.
  • You can easily stop and discuss something when reading, where you can’t while watching a movie. Granted, you could pause a movie — but who does that?
  • Reading age appropriate books together reminds parents of the types of situations their children might find themselves, and enlightens them as to what they might be feeling. A great example Gottman gives is that one of his clients was reading a book with her 12-year-old about a group of girls who was very sad that one of their friends moved away. It reminded the mother of a time when she was her daughter’s age when her friend moved away and how devastated she was. This made the mother realize she might sometimes take for granted the significance of her daughter’s relationships at that point and it shed some light on some issues they’d been having.

Poetry in particular is an awesome vehicle for conversation. Therapists frequently use poetry reading and writing to help children express their emotions. (Here is an example of such an exercise.) Freud went so far as to say, “Not I, but the poet discovered the unconscious.”

If therapists can use poetry to get people talking about their most secret issues, there’s no reason poetry can’t serve to start an in-depth conversation between you and your children. What a great family ritual to sit down nightly and read a poem (or a few)! Surely you’ve got the time for a few verses to foster family closeness.

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Posted in General Information, The Power of Poetry | No Comments »

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