First off, congrats! Voices from the March on Washington is fantastic! Can you tell us how you got the idea for this book? JPL: All credit goes to George Ella. When we first met at the Redlands (CA) conference a couple of years ago, I suggested to her that we might do a book together. She sweetly agreed and suggested the theme of …
List Fun: Ten Cybils Poetry Books That I Love
It’s always a challenge to select just one CYBILS Poetry book as the winner. Here are ten CYBILS finalists I love. Check them out for National Poetry Month. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, written and illustrated by Adam Rex (finalist 2006): This was one hilarious poetry book for the first year of the CYBILS. The kids at my school check this book out …
Review: Dear Wandering Wildebeest
Our review today is of Poetry finalist Dear Wandering Wildebeest and Other Poems from the Watering Hole, by Irene Latham. Panelist Margaret, who blogs at Reflections on the Teche, did a poetry round-up in the middle of our round one reading, and she wrote: I did not know what a wildebeest was until I got her new book of poetry. It …
Review: Firefly July
Today’s review of the day comes from Poetry panelist Kelly, who blogs at Writing and Ruminating. Back during National Poetry month, she reviewed Poetry finalist Firefly July by Paul B. Janeczko and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Kelly wrote: Most of the poems fall into the “imagist” category: full of clear, sharp language, and conveying a clear snapshot description of the poem’s …
Review: Forest Has a Song
Today’s review of poetry nominee Forest Has a Song, by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater is by Bridget, a teacher who blogs at Teacher Dance. She wrote: If you love the forest like I do, you will also love what Amy and Robbin have offered in this new book of poems. They have shown the real things, like in the poem Puff, telling …
Review: Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty
I’m being indulgent today. Partially, because I hardly ever read and review a collection of poetry. And partially because this is one of those books I want everyone to know about. I recently read and reviewed Poetry nominee Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty, by Christine Heppermann and was completely enthralled. I wrote: I didn’t know what to expect, but …
Review: Brown Girl Dreaming
Today’s review comes from Jennifer, an elementary school librarian and first time Fiction Picture Book judge, who blogs at Reederama. She reviewed Jacquline Woodson’s National Book Award shortlist-making book Brown Girl Dreaming. She writes: This is a story that is at once universal and unique. For this reader, born in the same year as Jacqueline Woodson and raised in the inner …
Poetry – Category Description
Poetry is tiny but mighty in nominations. From words that rhyme, words that flow and shape emotions on all different topics to poetic forms, the Poetry Genre is home to a veritable stew of entries. These books will appeal to the very young, middle grade and/or young adults. What belongs in Poetry? Anthologies and poetry collections written by various authors or a single author …
2014 Poetry Judges
First Round Kelly Fineman Writing and Rumination @kellyfineman Nancy Bo Flood The Pirate Tree Jone Rush MacCulloch Check It Out @JoneMac53 Margaret Simon Reflections on the Teche @MargaretGSimon Tricia Stohr-Hunt The Miss Rumphius Effect @missrumphius Sylvia Vardell Poetry For Children @SylviaVardell Bridget Wilson What is Bridget Reading @bridgetrwilson Second Round Linda Baie Teacher Dance @LBaie Matt Forrest Esenwine Radio, …