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Eye [15 Words or Less]
Howdy, folks! I’m taking part in Ed Decaria’s Madness Poetry this year, and today is the last day for voting in Round 1. I’m pitted against Lissa Clouser, and we both had to write poems using the word “coordinates.” Lissa’s poem is lovely, and we both had similar themes but with different approaches. Would be
Throne [15 Words or Less]
Hello, and welcome! It’s March 1, the book birthday for my new picture book, Meet My Family! It’s all about families, animals, and diversity. Of course, that’s super exciting for me, but I know NOTHING gets in the way of 15 Words or Less :>) Still, I hope you’ll order this title for a friend
School Visits in February
I had 2 fabulous school visits in February and wanted to share a few pictures. If you only click on one photo, do the white poem on green background paper in the first gallery–the student poem “Things to Do if You Are a Valentine’s Card.” I am in love with this poem. Often, the very
Penguin [15 Words or Less]
Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here. Last week’s photo, if you’re curious, was a filtered close-up shot of some bath salts my daughter Maddie gave me. They smell soooo good, and they have dried
On the Wings of Stories #Poemsketch #Calendarpoem
Here’s my calendar poem this week–thank you to Jan Goodwin Annino for “jar,” Martha O’Quinn for “parasol,” and Leslie Leibhardt Goodman in Illinois for “airy.” (Would you like to suggest a word for me? Just go here!) I was thinking about all the ways books help kids–and me–fly! Save Save Save Save Save
A Book for World Water Day! #ClassroomConnections
March 22 is World Water Day, and I hope you’ll consider sharing my book, Water Can Be…. It shares, in engaging rhyme and with gorgeous art by Violeta Dabija, the many important roles water plays in our world. Plus, I donate a percentage of my royalties to WaterAid, a fabulous water charity! Here’s my water
A Poem for National Pig Day on March 1 [Classroom Connections] [Poetry Friday]
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) [My Classroom Connections posts will share a way to connect one of my books or poems to a classroom topic–often something timely that you might be covering in the next month or so. Please share this post if you have educator friends who might be
Silica Packet? [15 Words or Less]
Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here. I’m not going to tell you what this one is. It’s whatever you make of it! This image makes me think of several things:
A Tender Celebration of Family
Happy Valentine’s Day! I love the nice review that Publishers Weekly gave Meet My Family! recently: In a tender celebration of family, more than 20 baby animals describe the ways the adults in their lives care for them. A baby beaver has lived in one home for all of its life, but an orangutan infant
Charles Drew and National Red Cross Month [Classroom Connections]
Charles Drew, an African American doctor, was the director of the American Red Cross’ first blood collection program in 1941. That same year, the Red Cross announced it wouldn’t accept blood from African Americans. An outcry from many African Americans forced a change in the program, but the Red Cross kept blood from African Americans
Dandelion Poem [Poetry Friday]
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’m sharing another calendar poem this week. (Read what these are and suggest a word here.) This week’s calendar poem was written before last week’s–which I really struggled with! This one came a little more easily (whew!). Thank you to [email protected] for “dandelion,” Margaret Simon
Tile Trees [15 Words or Less]
Hello, and welcome! This is 15 Words or Less Poems, a low-pressure way to wake up your poetry brain (guidelines here), and I’m very glad you’re here. Would you like to suggest a word for one of my poems? I’ve had fun with “winter,” “cymbal,” and “jar” recently! Please click here to suggest a word
A Poem for Read Across America Day! #ClassroomConnections
March 2 is Read Across America Day! Here’s a poem to start off your storytime. When I read this poem with kids, I act out the poem using simple motions that they can mimic. Give it a try! Calling All Readers I’ll tell you a story. I’ll spin you a rhyme. I’ll spill some ideas—
A Celebration of ALL Kinds of Families and a Blog Tour!
First things first. Happy 30th anniversary to my fantastic husband, Randy Salas! My writing and career would be very different without him in my life. Now, onto book stuff:>) Last week, I did my first school visit since receiving my author copies of Meet My Family, and it was great to read it aloud
More Than Two Sides, a Tanka About Truth [Poetry Friday]
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) So, this month, our Poetry Princess challenge was my choice, so it’s extra frustrating that I found it SO challenging. I chose tanka (non-rhyming form with a 5/7/5/7/7 syllable count) as our form, because I like short poems. But I also wanted our
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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