Give children poetry. It is one of the best gifts you can give them…a gift to last a lifetime. -Lee Bennett Hopkins
Lee Bennett Hopkins – poet, educator, mentor –
died earlier this month. Today on Poetry Friday, many are celebrating his life.
This master of poetry compiled numerous poetry anthologies for children which I
often used in my teaching. In his anthology, Sharing the Seasons: A Book of Poems (Simon & Schuster, 2010),
Hopkins begins each section by introducing the season with an original poem.
All of the poems have the same structure which I borrowed to honor him with my
own poem today. I used a place of beauty loved by children and adults, Longwood
Gardens, as inspiration.
I spent time this weekend reading and reviewing lots of new picture books. This one is definitely a favorite.
Title: Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou
Author: Bethany Hegedus
Illustrator: Tonya Engel
Publisher: Lee & Low Books, Inc.
Rise! is a remarkable book
about a remarkable woman, Maya Angelou. Bethany Hegedus’s lyrical language
written as poetry flies off the page, creating perfect images that take us from
knowing Maya as a young child to her roles as performer, writer, mother, and
activist. The complications and dark times of Maya’s life are treated
respectfully and serve to help us understand how much she had to overcome. The exquisite
craft of the writing coupled with the illustrations of words swirling across
many pages of the book are a celebration of language in itself. They remind us
of the important role words played in Maya’s life: “…the twisting,
turning/conga line of language/that pulses across the page.”
The
book opens with a touching tribute from Maya Angelou’s grandson and concludes
with an author’s note, a timeline, additional resources, and photographs.
This
is a book that will touch your heart and soul and be a reminder that Maya
Angelou’s words “…will always rise/rise/rise.”
Summary: This picture book biography tells the story of Nancy Grace Roman, an astronomer whose work led to the creation of the International Ultaviolet Explorer Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope and important space discoveries. From Amazon: “A testament to women in scientific careers and a record of an important NASA milestone.”
Always Looking Up had me hooked from the
opening lines:
“Young
Nancy Grace loved to look up at the endless night sky. She gazed at tiny
blue-white stars glittering in inky blackness.”
By creating contrasts (small Nancy/vast sky, blue-white stars/inky blackness) Laura Gehl sets the stage for a book that makes the wonder of the universe more tangible to a child. Laura skillfully uses words and comparisons familiar to a child. For example, she describes Hubble as “as big as a bus, as heavy as two elephants,” and “like a falling meteorite,” and “as fiery as a supernova.” Young readers will relate to Nancy Grace Roman’s curiosity, wonder, and determination to overcome poor eyesight and discouragement from those who thought women should not follow scientific pursuits. Nancy Grace achieves her goal of becoming an astronomer, but as Laura points out, “…this was only the beginning.” Nancy Grace’s vast accomplishments, like the universe, are far-reaching and significant to everyone.
The
universe is celebrated in the illustrations on almost every page, along with
scientific and mathematical symbols. These depictions enhance the text and
allow the reader to watch Nancy, as well as her curiosity and accomplishments,
grow. Also included are actual photographs from Hubble.
The
timeline and author’s note provide additional important information. Included
are inspiring and encouraging words of advice from Nancy Grace to young
readers. What a gift!
Always Looking Up:
Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer hits the book shelves in October, 2019. It is
available now for preorder.
Last week I received a beautiful gift from a friend who also happens to be one of my critique partners. She had asked for a favorite inspirational quote, then had it etched in leather and wound into a bracelet. I chose something from Mary Oliver:
Instructions
for living a life:
Pay
attention.
Be
astonished.
Tell about it.
I
put the bracelet on, and it felt like magic. Everywhere I went my mind filled
with wonders that sparked my curiosity and filled me with awe.
Checking
on the bluebirds, I marveled at the care taken to build the nest, protect the babies,
and teach them to fledge. (They will soon be on their way!)
In
the children’s garden at Longwood Gardens I stuck my nose in every herb,
delighted by the wondrous smells. I jotted down every word I could think of to
describe a smell – sharp, bitter, spicy, damp, fruity, delicate…I noticed so
many that are also linked to tastes.
Yesterday,
one of the women in the golf festival I was participating in was able to play
from her wheelchair. Her special chair worked as her legs to lift her up where
she then hit the ball using just one arm. Such grit, determination, and perseverance
to do what she loves to do! It was a lesson that I won’t soon forget.
There
are wondrous things happening in the world all around me every day. Maybe I don’t
need a bracelet to tell me that, but somehow that bracelet with Mary Oliver’s
words acted as a reminder not to miss out on life. It’s wonderful advice for
everyone, but especially for a writer looking for stories to tell in new and
wondrous ways.
Last
week I was delighted to pick up a copy of Moon’s
First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship by Susanna Leonard Hill and
illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. There are many new releases that celebrate the
50th Anniversary of the moon landing, but this one takes a unique
perspective. Here we see the moon as the queen of the night sky, but lonely,
and longing for a friend. What young reader can’t relate to that? Moon watches
as the earth forms and creatures appear. We see her showing her different faces,
and even trying to attract attention by creating an eclipse. It takes some
time, but Moon is finally rewarded for her patience with visitors. And as most
friends do, the moon and the visitors exchange gifts. The enchanting and
colorful illustrations complement the text and add another layer of interest.
The
book is sure to raise questions, and many are answered in the extensive back
matter that offers a timeline of the earth, lists the phases of the moon, and
explains the different parts of the rocket that took the first visitors to the
moon. A special bonus is a QR Code where young readers can listen to the words
spoken by Neil Armstrong when he took his first step onto the moon.
This is one book that will engage even our youngest book lovers and awaken in them a curiosity about our universe.
