As I’ve mentioned here before, we homeschooled our two young kids this past year due to the Covid shutdown, and although some days were better than others, it was, overall, a success. The kids learned everything they needed to learn – and more – and didn’t seem to loathe the process of homeschooling as much as they loathed not being around their friends.
I do have to say, there were extra-special days where they surprised me, either at how well they understood a lesson or how adroitly they completed it. One such day was back in March, when my daughter was tasked with a lesson from her English Language Arts program that required her to write a poem about light. Completely unbeknownst to me, she came up with this all on her own; I never saw it until she had finished it:

I know, I know, every parent thinks their kid is a genius or a protege or whatever…but seriously, this is pretty thoughtful for a 2nd-grader. I told her I was so proud of her that I’d make sure everyone I knew read it, if that was ok with her. “Sure!” she said. And so I present it to you here – better late than never.
Molly Hogan is celebrating summer while hosting today’s Poetry Friday roundup at Nix the Comfort Zone – so head on over for all of today’s poetry links and fun!

============================================================
I’m now a part of the BOOKROO family!

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!
============================================================

============================================================
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 personally-signed copies of Flashlight Night, (Boyds Mills Press, 2017), Don’t Ask a Dinosaur (Pow! Kids Books, 2018), and nearly EVERY book or anthology I’ve been part of!
Click any of the following covers to order!
Just click the cover of whichever book you want and send a comment to the good folks at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner, NH requesting my signature and to whom I should make it out. (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!
Matt, how fun is that? I love this poem about all kinds of Light. Beautiful work. What a joy for you to get to teach your children this past year. It added to a difficult year some light and love that will never be taken away.
To your daughter: Thank you so much for sharing your work with your dad’s readers. We are lucky today to get to read your poem. My favorite line is “and as I watch I’ll see my god to light up the night as well.” That touches my heart. Nice rhyming in your poem too!
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Denise – I was really proud of her for the reasons you gave. And I’ll be sure to share your thoughts with her!
LikeLike
You do have a budding poet there. Kudos to your daughter for a beautiful poem, and for sharing it with us.
LikeLike
Thanks, Elisabeth!
LikeLike
Such a lovely poem! Thank you for sharing it with us. I can see why you’re proud.
LikeLike
Thank you, Rose.
LikeLike
I know you are beaming with pride, Matt, and rightfully so. Your daughter’s poem is a keeper and can you imagine what she will think when she is older=how proud she will be that her Dad shared her work. Like Denise, I love this line your daughter composed: “and as I watch I’ll see my god to light up the night as well.” That is a beautiful spiritual sight, prayer-like.
LikeLike
Thank you, Carol – that’s my favorite line, as well. It really shows some thoughtfulness on her part.
LikeLike
Children are excellent poets! So many things are so novel including the language. Such a fresh perspective! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Thank you, John, I appreciate that!
LikeLike
It is a stunning poem. I think that sometimes the truest words come from our littles,
LikeLike
They do, indeed. Thanks, Jone.
LikeLike
No wonder you’re proud! Isn’t it delightful to have our children surprise us in such positive ways? Thanks so much for sharing your daughter’s poem!
LikeLike
Thanks, Molly – and yes, it was a wonderful surprise!
LikeLike