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“So Much Love” — A Definito
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Okay, friends, here’s another definito to go with Finding Family (coming in March from Lerner). I’m having a blast with these!
A Thankful Poem and Writing Activity
Teachers, I’ve got two things for you today. First, here’s a terrific YourClassical Storytime called “Lurkey Is Lost.” It’s a fun take on the “draw a turkey using an outline of your hand” activity. Make sure to have plenty of crayons ready and paper for everyone! Second, it’s the perfect time of year to share
“What Used to Be Whole” — A Definito to Go with a Forthcoming Book
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’ve shared a couple of definitos recently, and I had so much fun I decided to write some to go with the challenging vocabulary in my forthcoming books. I’ve written several for Finding Family, which comes out in March. Wouldn’t it be fun
Feeling Sheepish?
I’m so tickled that Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom is including If You Want to Knit Some Mittens on their website for educators! Although this picture book is a funny, fictional, friendship story, it’s also the story of how a pair of wool mittens starts with a sheep’s coat, which goes through many transformations to
Jitters and a Giveaway
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Many folks in the Poetry Friday community have been sharing their poems from What Is a Friend?, edited by Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell. This book benefits IBBY, with the editors and poets all donating their efforts. I’m thrilled to share my poem with you,
Insomnia — a Dansa
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Before I share today’s poem, I’m inviting you to check out my Halloween riddle-ku that I shared on Wednesday. I also shared an invitation for people who have a young student or family member who might be willing to be in a book
Who Wants to Be in a Video? And a Riddle-Ku for Halloween
Hi, educators! I hope you’re well. I’m sick as a dog in Florida, and I’m having to cancel my storytime in Minnesota for tomorrow. I’ve never had to do that in 15 years of author visits & storytimes. Sigh. Meanwhile, two things for you today! I’m Looking for Kids to Answer a Question in a
2 Brinicle Poems and a Cover Reveal
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Before I share poems, I invite you to check out John Schu’s cover reveal for one of my Spring 2023 picture books. Click here to see Alexandria Neonakis’ gorgeous cover for FINDING FAMILY: THE DUCKLING RAISED BY LOONS. Y’all know I love science poetry, and
Pictures from Scotland and Thoughts on Being a World Citizen
In September, I visited Scotland with my husband, sister, and brother-in-law—and our daughter Maddie joined us for a couple of days in Edinburgh. I’m so grateful to have had this trip. Whenever I’m lucky enough to travel, I think about what people all over the world have both in common and in difference—and how to
Plume — Another Definito
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Last week, I shared a definito poem of the word “folly.” While I was working on that, I decided to do a second one, too. I have several books coming out in the spring, and I thought it might be fun to write
Activity Sheets for Your K‑2 Plants Unit
Fall is my favorite season, when I get to enjoy cooler weather and gorgeous leaves here in Minnesota. For my book A Leaf Can Be…, I have a gazillion (well, not a gazillion, but 30+) downloadable reading and writing sheets tied into common core ELA standards for grades K‑2. Here’s an example. Just click here
Folly — a Definito
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) [ETA: Our older daughter had unexpected gallbladder removal yesterday, so I’ll be a bit behind in replying to your comments. (She’s doing okay but is in a lot of pain.) Looking forward to getting to them sometime over the weekend, though. Which, come
Flight #PoetryFriday
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) You guys, Scotland was amazing. It was just magical to be able to travel with my husband and my sister and her husband, and then to have Maddie join us for the last weekend in Edinburgh (the Queen–that’s a whole other story). Here are a
Thank You, Educators — a Post-Pandemic (well, sort of) Poem
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) We’re home! We spent two fabulous weeks in Scotland, and I’m so grateful for the trip! I will share some photos eventually. Meanwhile, I’m happy to be back to Poetry Friday. Here’s a poem I just shared with teachers in my September e‑letter. (Are you
Secrets of the Loon Storytimes—and What Flew By Last Night?
[Still off the grid, but I’ll be back next week!] Wow, did I have a loony summer. That’s because Yvonne Pearson (author of Little Loon Finds His Voice) and I teamed up for 14 Minnesota storytimes about loons. FOURTEEN! Whee! Here’s a quick photo gallery, and I want to give big thanks to Yvonne, Cortney
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Are You Looking For?
Go to my Poetry page for:
- National Poetry Month projects through the years
- Small Reads Roundups (poems grouped by topic)
- Introductions to several favorite poetry forms