Hooray for Poetry Friday!
Today I’m celebrating a wonderful new anthology from Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong, Clara’s Kooky Compendium of Thimblethoughts and Wonderfuzz with drawings by Frank Ramspott.
There are many familiar Poetry Friday names in the list of poet contributors, including two from my Nevermores group – Marcie and Patricia. Plus, the teacher in the story part was inspired by my poet friend, Wileena Booker!
Clara’s Compendium is not just a poetry anthology. It’s a journal, a collection of prompts, trivia, questions, drawings, thoughts – something for everyone from kids to parents to teachers. Plus, there’s a story about Clara and her experiences that threads through the pages connecting it all. It is a book that can be used across the curriculum as kids are challenged to research the answers to Clara’s wonderfuzz. This is the kind of book I would use in a classroom to model for kids all that a journal can be and inspire some poetry. It’s truly inspirational and so much fun to read. You can order it here.
So what does that have to do with “refrigerator poems?” At one point in the book, Clara talks about a poem her Mom’s friend wrote that they keep on the refrigerator. She reminds us, “Everyone should have a poem on their refrigerator!!”
Right now on my refrigerator there are drawings from my grandkids, bits of grocery lists, magnets and recipes and reminders – but no poems.
Because it’s apple season, I’ll be adding this one:
Tabatha has the roundup today at The Opposite of Indifference. Be sure to stop by for an awesome owl photo and lots of poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
Thank you for sharing your apple poem, the Kooky Compendium, and the “poem on your fridge” idea! I had to get up to check whether there was one on mine (I have so many magnets and drawings that I rotate them). There is one, but I could use another!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, Rose, I bet your grandkids would love to illustrate your refrigerator poem. I did not realize there was going to be a thread running through CLARA! It seems many others received their copy already. Mine still enroute I guess! Can’t wait!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such fun to pour through it. I’m still making my way through because there is so much on each page. Congratulations again!
LikeLike
I haven’t gotten my copy yet, but I can’t wait to see it! I have poems on my refrigerator! I made magnets with some of my poems that I send to teachers sometimes. I need to add some more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s just right for another fall poem, Rose! I love the rhythm of it, that “Pick, Pluck,/Bouncy Truck”. If lengthened a bit, it would make a great Board Book. Congrats on having a page in this new anthology. Teachers and their students will love it so much! As for a poem on my frig? I have “Everybody Made Soups” – Lisa Coffman, & one by Carol Varsalona she wrote for me with a pic of my grandkids. It’s a lovely fall post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing about the anthology. Sounds like it’s chock full of fun poems and activities! Enjoyed your apple season poem — perfect for the refrigerator — like the bouncy rhythm, alliteration and rhyme. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Love your apple poem. And, I’m just delighted that this book is now out. Thank you for the great review. Kids need lots of ways to access poems. Thank you, Rose!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rose, what a great post. You have sold me on this new anthology. It sounds really unique and fun! Yes, here’s to poems on your refrigerator. Your apple poem is delicious. Clever form and the rhymes in lines 2-3 are fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your apple poem. Please make it into a fridge magnet. For years I would make a poem magnet to give away to poet friends at NCTE. I have poem magnets in my classroom. Time to put one on the fridge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this poem! It would be so much fun to read aloud with kids in a classroom – and a perfect mentor poem.
Also, now that you mention it, why don’t I have a poem on my refrigerator???
LikeLiked by 1 person
My copies have not arrived yet but I am excited that they are on their way. Your apple season poem reminds me of our trip to the orchard with the little grandgirls. They were so excited to pick apples with the long device. I love the sound words you used in the poem.
Janet and Sylvia are masterful poetry anthologists. I love their guidance and enthusiasm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so much fun! Thanks for your clever apple poem and for sharing the new anthology that Sylvia and Janet have orchestrated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this lovely review of the CLARA book, Rose — SO happy that you like it! And I agree with everyone else: your apple poem is PERFECT for your refrigerator, especially at this time of year!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A perfect fridge poem for fall!
I usually have a poem on the fridge, too — always something in rotation. 🙂 Right now, I have a Ray Bradbury quote:
“Without libraries, what do we have? We have no past and no future.”
LikeLiked by 1 person