Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) And HEY! There’s a giveaway for The Poetry of US happening on Goodreads. Don’t miss your chance:>)
My heart and mind are still overflowing from NCTE last week! One highlight was co-presenting with our Poetry Friday host, Irene Latham, in two different sessions (along with some other awesome writers and educators). (You can read other blog posts I’ve written that feature Irene or her work or projects here.)
Shoes
I want ruby shoes
with heels to click
me to another land
or glass slippers
to make a dancer
out of me.
But Mama says
shoes should be
sensible–
plain white
or solid black
to go with everything.
So that’s what we buy.
When I show Patty Jean,
she gives me
her rainbow socks
and a pair of purple
shoelaces.
When I look down,
I can’t believe
those feet belong to me.
–Irene Latham, all rights reserved (from Can I Touch Your Hair?)
Isn’t that terrific? And for lots more delightful poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with Irene herself at Live Your Poem!
It really is a fabulous book, meant for every classroom, so glad for the honor for it. I love that you chose this poem, Laura. I have a collection of a few poems about shoes, wish I’d had this one in the classroom. I found that the middle schoolers loved writing about shoes, and are much inspired by them. Thanks, hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
I did, Linda. Hope you did, too! (Too funny about the shoe fascination:>)
“Shoes,” is such a far reaching poem, it speaks to so many and what makes it even more special is that bit of extra sparkle at the end. Thanks for sharing Irene and Charle’s book and Irene’s poem–and yes to having books make us think deeply, this one definitely does.
I do love this poem from this book. So sweet and relatable in many ways. Thanks for sharing !
It’s a great book, and I’m glad the Huck Honor will help it bring important conversations into more homes and classrooms!
Thanks for all of the work you and your colleagues did, Mary Lee!
Dear Laura, so kind of you to share about HAIR? and the Charlotte Huck Honor… it IS an honor, such an honor, and we are grateful to see the book connecting with readers. And so much fun to see you having so much fun at NCTE with all your forthcoming poetry books! Yay! xo
It was so funny when you asked about sharing LION, as I was already planning to share this wonderful news!
Yes, I love it. I love this book so much–eSPECially when I see students checking it out of my library. I get a kick out of saying, “I’ve met these authors, I think you would like them.” It’s wonderful to see the words winning…they are indeed honorable. Thank you for highlighting this wonderful, wonderful book!
I also enjoyed Can I Touch Your Hair?, and I love that it’s being recognized for having “the potential to transform lives.” What a tremendous honor! Yes, “Shoes” is a terrific poem that says an awful lot in so few words.
It looks like such an amazing book! And NCTE sounds inspiring! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Fabulous news about Irene and Charles’ book. Well deserved, indeed! Can’t wait to attend my first NCTE next year!!!
Woohoo! I’ll be in Baltimore, too, I think! Maybe we’ll meet in person, Christie:>)
Would love that!
Would love that! Fingers crossed!
I love CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR? and was thrilled to hear that it won the Charlotte Huck Honor Book. I can’t wait until my granddaughter is a little bit older (she’s three now) so I can buy it for her.
This poem is one of my favorites from Can I Touch Your Hair? I’m so happy for Irene and Charles. This is such a well-deserved honor for their wonderful book!
We missed you at NCTE, Catherine!
I was so excited for dear Irene about this honor! I love this book for so many reasons. Thanks for sharing her poem about the shoes, such a universal feeling.
My students last year were fascinated by “Can I Touch Your Hair?” They loved the distinct voices of the characters and then discovering the common ground between them. “Shoes” is a wonderful poem and I am delighted to learn about this well-deserved award. Yay, Irene and Charles!!!
So deserved! I agree that it has the potential to transform lives. Well done to both of you!
This book is amazing. I love it and so happy for the award.
I DO love that poem “Shoes”! So happy for Irene!
Many thanks, Laura, for highlighting the book. We’re all so thrilled about the Charlotte Huck Honor! Congrats to YOU on the forthcoming books you have coming out in ’19. So exciting! Thanks as well for highlighting Irene’s “Shoes” poem. She’s so talented, as are you!