Where Do You Get the Idea for a Poem? (Monday Poem)

by Karla Kuskin

 

Where do you get the idea for a poem?

Does it shake you awake?

Do you dream it asleep

or into your tiny tin head does it creep

and pop from your pen

when you are not aware

or leap from your pocket

or fall from your hair

or is it just silently

suddenly

there?

In a beat

in a breath

in a pause

in a cry 

one unblinking eye

that stares from the dark

that is deep in your head

demanding attention

until it is written

until it is rotten

until it is anything else but forgotten

until it is read.

 

 

From Moon Have You Met My Mother?: 

The Collected Poems of Karla Kuskin,

2003, Laura Geringer Books

The Road Not Taken (Monday Poem)

by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

From Poetry for Young People: Robert Frost, edited by Gary D, Schmidt

1994, Sterling Publishing

Surprising Biographies of Amazing Creativity (FAMILY magazine reviews)

Pick up a picture book biography of someone you may never have heard of to inspire you and a young person in your life. These outstanding books introduce us to people whose lives and enrich our own, giving us models and opportunities for conversations! Have fun!

My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle’s Journey to Alvin Ailey 

by Lesa Cline-Ransome 

illustrated by James E. Ransome

            The story of local Liberty City Miami talent, Robert Battle, is inspiring. It celebrates the African-American experience of family, faith and art.

Only the third artistic director for the highly respected and well-loved Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Battles’ early struggles, and warmly supportive family form the framework for this strong picture book biography. He overcame the need for leg braces as a young child. Also, his experiences of the music and faith of his church community, plus his youthful practice of music, dance and martial arts, were important in preparing him for dance classes. These latter seized his heart, mind and body, giving direction to his sense of himself.

            Ransome’s pastels capture family scenes, karate, and studio practice sessions. Especially important in Battles’ experience and dramatic for his future, is the double page spread of the Ailey dancers he watched onstage. This performance was featured as a high school field trip with his after-school dance class. The colors, costumes and fluid movements of the dancers’ bodies’ in Ransome’s illustrations, partner seamlessly with (wife) Cline-Ransome’s liquid language.

            This beautifully conceived and executed life story includes a foreword with photos from Battles himself. There are also an author’s note, an illustrator’s note, bibliography, website, and further reading included at the end.

Simon & Schuster, $17.99

Interest Level: Grade 2-5

           

Mr. Ferris and His Wheel  

by Kathryn Gibbs Davis 

illustrated by Gilbert Ford

            George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., a civil engineer who was a designer of bridges, tunnels and roads, had a dazzling idea. He wanted to create a structure for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair that would rival France’s Eiffel Tower from the previous event. Although, Ferris’ decided that his structure would move!

            He and his engineering partner, William Gronau worked on a design that used steel as a framework instead of solid walls. This innovative project was devised during a time period that tempted inventors to show off new technologies. However, George had difficulty convincing officials of its safety. Still, there was nothing else that emerged to compete with George’s design. So, officials agreed to his plan, but granted him no money to build his proposed structure.

            George tried with no success to get banks’ assistance. Since time was running short, he became persistent in getting funding, supplies, parts, and workers in place. The successfully completed Ferris Wheel became a World’s Fair sensation.

            Digital mixed media, ink and watercolor illustrations in a somewhat cartoon-like style use colors to evoke an era before electricity. Also featured is the stylized electrical magic of the new invention at night. It could be seen from miles away!

            Not a typical biography, this nonfiction picture book is fascinating, well written and researched. Sidebars enhance the story, or explain parts of the text. Sources, bibliography and websites are included at the end.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $17.99

Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3

Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi 

by Rachel Rodriguez 

illustrated by Julie Paschkis

            Beginning with Gaudi’s early life, readers see his delight in the natural world and his involvement in his family’s business as a metalsmith. Throughout his life - he trained as an architect – he includes nature both inside and outside his creations. Several of his imaginative, playful constructions, are featured. Among these are Vicens House, Guell’s Palace, Casa Batllo, and Casa Mila.  Descriptions use inviting twists of language and are partnered with sparkling, intricate illustrations.

            The gouache artwork is colorful, flowing, wild, and beautifully strange. The storyline is similarly simple and lyrical, with crazy details that suggest Gaudi’s colorful, striking and original structures.

This picture book biography is an inviting exploration into a daring artist’s feats of elaborate creativity. An author’s note, websites, and selected bibliography are important back matter.

Henry Holt, $19.99

Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 4

 

Easter (Monday Poem)

by Joyce Kilmer


The air is like a butterfly
With frail blue wings.
The happy earth looks at the sky
And sings.



from Time for Poetry: A Teacher's Anthology, compiled by May Hill Arbuthnot, 1951, Scott Foresman and Company

April (Monday Poem)

by Sara Teasdale


The roofs are shining from the rain,
The sparrows twitter as they fly,
And with a windy April grace
The little clouds go by.

Yet the back-yards are bare and brown
With only one unchanging tree----
I could not be so sure of Spring
Save that it sings in me.



from Time for Poetry: A Teacher's Anthology, compiled by May Hill Arbuthnot, 1951, Scott Foresman and Company