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7 Ways of Looking at a Ripple
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone–whether you’re brand new or an OG PF friend! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) This month, my Poetry Sisters and I (along with others in this community) wrote poems inspired by Wallace Stevens’ “13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.” I’ll be very honest and say this poem has
A Student Writing Downloadable Around Struggles and Strengths
I’ve been sharing downloadable activity sheets kids can do in conjunction with reading Line Leads the Way, illustrated by Alice Caldarella. This one has two writing prompts on it. You’ll notice there’s not a whole lot of room for writing, and I think the small space is a blessing! These big topics can be kind
Underdog, a Poetryaction to Spin a Circle!
Happy Poetry Friday, and welcome! Whether you’re a longtime participant or someone who just wandered in this week, I’m glad you’re here. (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Friends, I realized last Monday that I didn’t comment on anyone’s posts. I didn’t put it on my weekend to-do list, and next thing I knew,
How Is Your Library a Treasure?
In the last week of August, I took my loon storytime on the road. I led storytimes at 10 Central Minnesota locations. It was a great reminder of how libraries are treasures. Here’s a lovely activity sheet from Capstone. It’s for my newest book, Line Leads the Way (illustrated by Alice Caldarella), which celebrates libraries.
Threads, a Poetryaction–Plus Three Fantastic Poetry Books
Happy Poetry Friday, and welcome! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’m so happy you’re here, and I’m happy to be here, too. I’ve been absent the past week or two (or three?) due to family and book things in August, and I’ve missed you. Recently, a library in Florida recommended four duck‑y picture
Sharing Ourselves with a Growth Chart
Hello, teachers, and happy fall! I hope you had a fabulous summer! I had a busy one–more about that in the coming weeks. But right now, I want to share an activity that I think could be great for community building as your school year is getting into gear. My newest picture book, Line Leads
Minnesota Storytimes and a Colossally Beautiful Poetryaction
Happy Poetry Friday, and welcome to all! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’m heading out on a 5‑day, 10-library, 3‑hotel For the Love of Loons storytime tour in the Kitchigami Regional Library system of Minnesota! The August whirlwind continues :>) Before I start two frantic days of prep and packing, I’ll quickly share
“Heart of Earth” choral performance, using lines from my poems!
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Whether you’re a regular or a new visitor, I’m glad you’re here! Things are chaos at our place, as our younger daughter’s fiance just left after a 10-day visit, and my sister arrived from Florida with a couple of overlapping days. Lots of great times
Sweetgum Seed Ball Magnipoem
Welcome to Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’m so happy you’re here! Thanks for all your kind wishes last week. My husband is recovering from Covid, and our daughter and I are both still Covid-free (knock wood and praise the masks and gloves). Although I didn’t get to celebrate my new
Laura’s New Book, Friendship Is a Circle, and the Poetry Friday Roundup!
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Welcome, and I’m so pleased that you’re here! As I post this on Thursday afternoon, it’s the book birthday for my new picture book, Line Leads the Way. I love this little tale of perseverance, vulnerability, imperfection, and library love. The charming illustrations by Alice
Want Ad Haiku, Sort of
Happy Poetry Friday! Are you a regular or a newbie? No matter…you are welcome! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Hey, I have a new picture book out next week! I’m so excited about it. It has themes of imperfection, authenticity, and library love. It’s not poetry, but I hope you’ll like it anyway.
One Rule of War
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’m sharing more poems for teens/adults over the summer, when not as many teachers are looking for children’s poems. I wrote this one sometime over the past year. I know there are certain accepted “rules of war.” And there’s outrage when civilians are targeted. And
We Sleep, a Poetryaction
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, whether you’re an OG PFer or here for the first time! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Before I forget, here are a few under-a-minute vids of the trip Kayla Harren and I took to Duluth, promoting Oskar’s Voyage. So much more fun to do unpaid and exhausting promo trips
Wabi-Sabi, an Imperfect Definito Poem
News: The Kindle edition of Clover Kitty Goes to Kittygarten is on sale for $2.49 through June 30 only. Just in case you’re looking for some back-to-school reads for later! Happy Poetry Friday! Are you a regular or a newbie? No matter…you are welcome! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) This month, the Poetry
Who Am I To Say
Happy Poetry Friday, and welcome! Whether you’re a regular or a newbie, I’m happy you’re here. (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) One of the many things I love about writing poetry is that it’s a great place to put painful and difficult emotions. This is a poem I wrote quite a while ago,
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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