Poetry Friday: New “Wit & Wordplay” videos on the way!

Well, it’s been a long time coming, but I just produced another “Wit & Wordplay” video, part of a continuing series of poetry videos I began last spring, shortly after Covid-19 hit the country and shut down the schools, the economy, and pretty much everything we were used to.

It’s been a busy year for me, too – I’ve sold three manuscripts, I have two new ones out to start off the new year, I’ve been invited to present at a big literary festival in the fall (more on that coming soon), I’m once again judging our state Poetry Out Loud competion this month, PLUS we’re homeschooling 2 young kids….yikes! I feel bad that I’ve not been able to read or comment on many of my fellow bloggers’ posts, but time is at a premium for me and I rarely have any that’s free.

In fact, as soon as I’m done writing this I need to go grade school papers. >sigh…<

But last week I shared some “nestlings” – aka, found poems inside a larger poem, courtesy of author/poet Irene Latham – and since I’d been wanting to do a video on found poetry anyway, I figured now was as good a time as any!

If you find this video or any of my videos helpful, please let me know! And don’t hesitate to share them with parents, educators, or others you think might gain some benefit. I produce these to help share my love of poetry and to help folks realize it’s not some confounding genre meant only for the most erudite academics – poetry is something anyone can enjoy reading or writing!

For all of today’s Poetry Friday links and fun, please head over to my friend Ruth’s blog, where she’s hosting the complete roundup with a spotlight on a new book by poet/botanist Robin Wall Kimerer!

============================================================

Coming March 2, 2021!

Contrasting the past with the present, this picture book takes you through a lyrical exploration of the world as it was before humans made their mark.

============================================================

I’m now a part of the BOOKROO family!

You can create an account to add books to wishlists and be notified of special deals and dates…create custom collections…and discover and follow your favorite authors & illustrators!

Find out more about BOOKROO here!

============================================================

Talkabook is setting out to inspire children by connecting them with authors and illustrators! Click here to view my profile and learn more!

============================================================

I continue adding to my “Wit & Wordplay” videos ! These videos were created for parents and educators (along with their kids) to learn how to write poetry, appreciate it, and have fun with it. From alliteration and iambs to free verse and spine poetry, I’m pretty sure there’s something in these videos you’ll find surprising! You can view them all on my YouTube channel, and if you have young kids looking for something to keep busy with, I also have several downloadable activity sheets at my website.

===========================================================

Ordering personalized signed copies online? Oh, yes, you can!

You can purchase personalized signed copies of Flashlight Night, (Boyds Mills Press, 2017), Don’t Ask a Dinosaur (Pow! Kids Books, 2018), and nearly ALL of the books or anthologies I’ve been part of!

Click any of the following covers to order!

Just click the cover of whichever book you want and send the good folks at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner, NH a note requesting the signature and to whom I should make it out to. (alternatively, you can log onto my website and do the same thing) They’ll contact me, I’ll stop by and sign it, and then they’ll ship it! (Plus, you’ll be supporting your local bookseller – and won’t that make you feel good?)

============================================================

Thank you to everyone for your support!

FLASHLIGHT NIGHT:

• NY Public Library’s “100 Best Book for Kids 2017” AND “Staff Pick!”
• KIRKUS Starred review!
• Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Books!
• “Best Reads of 2017,” Unleashing Readers
• Finalist, 2019 New Hampshire Literary Awards
• Positive reviews from Horn Book, School Library Connection, School Library Connection, Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, and Shelf-Awareness!

DON’T ASK A DINOSAUR:

• “Rollicking rhyme!” – Booklist
  • “A wild romp!” – Parenting NH Magazine
  • “Cute…intriguing…4 out of 5 stars”     – Tulsa Book Review
  • “Rhythmic…funny and informative”     – Unleashing Readers

============================================================

Did you like this post? Find something interesting elsewhere in this blog? I really won’t mind at all if you feel compelled to share it with your friends and followers!

To keep abreast of all my posts, please consider subscribing via the links up there on the right!  (I usually only post once or twice a week – usually Tues. and Fri. – so you won’t be inundated with emails every day) . Also feel free to visit my voiceover website HERE, and you can also follow me via Twitter , Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and SoundCloud!