J. Patrick Lewis, U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate,?has yet another new book out, this one a glorious anthology for National Geographic called Book of Animal Poetry.
Where do I begin? Well, the poems, of course. There are 200 of them, by classic poets, modern poets, names you’ll recognize (including several Poetry Friday regulars,’such as?Kelly Fineman and Julie Larios), and names you’ve never heard of. And Pat himself, editor of this anthology, contributed 7 himself. These poems cover every mood, with awe and humor represented equally well. Here’s one I love:
Buffalo Dusk
The buffaloes are gone.
And those who saw the buffaloes are gone.
????? Those who saw the buffaloes by the thousands and how they
????? pawed the prairie sod into dust with their hoofs,
????? their great heads down pawing on in a great pageant
????? of dusk,
Those who saw the buffaloes are gone.
And the buffaloes are gone.
–Carl Sandburg
I’m sharing this one partially because tomorrow is 100,000 Poets for Change Day, and wildlife conservation is an issue close to my heart. Although American buffaloes are not protected by the Endangered Species Act, their numbers are greatly diminished. This poem, and the amazing photo that accompanies it, makes me feel the relative loss of this creature I’ve never seen. Exposing people to the terrific variety of amazing animals on our planet can only help us appreciate them more, I hope.
Speaking of photos, this book is full of stunning ones. Would you expect anything less from National Geographic?I also love that there are so many indices, so that you can find poems by poet, animal, first line, poetic form, etc.
Want some more? You can watch Pat Lewis read another gorgeous poem from this book, too!
And there’s a terrific classroom guide for it, but I haven’t been able to find it available online yet. Hopefully by the next time I post about this anthology (I’ll share a funny poem next time, for variety), I’ll be able to post a link to that guide.
If you buy this book–and why wouldn’t you?–be sure to remove the dustjacket and read the wonderful poem right on the book cover!
Marjorie at Paper Tigers?has the Poetry Friday roundup. Go enjoy!
This book is winging its way to me as we speak, and I can’t wait! That Carl Sandburg poem is gorgeous and heartbreaking and reminded me how much I used to love Carl Sandburg. I need to go back and read the poets from my school days! Sounds like this anthology is a good place to start.
Pat’s video is lovely, isn’t it? Sigh. Thanks for the sneak peek.
It is…you will love this book, Renee! Such a mix of humor and joy and inspiration and a bit of heartbreak, too…
This book is winging its way to me as we speak, and I can’t wait! That Carl Sandburg poem is gorgeous and heartbreaking and reminded me how much I used to love Carl Sandburg. I need to go back and read the poets from my school days! Sounds like this anthology is a good place to start.
Pat’s video is lovely, isn’t it? Sigh. Thanks for the sneak peek.
It is…you will love this book, Renee! Such a mix of humor and joy and inspiration and a bit of heartbreak, too…
I love this anthology, Laura, as this is also a passion of mine. And I keep reposting the video of Pat Lewis on my FB page because I think it warrants lots of publicity. Great choice!
Talk about making people love and appreciate animals, right? How could anyone read this book and not be awed by our world?
I love this anthology, Laura, as this is also a passion of mine. And I keep reposting the video of Pat Lewis on my FB page because I think it warrants lots of publicity. Great choice!
Talk about making people love and appreciate animals, right? How could anyone read this book and not be awed by our world?
Looks like a book everyone, and every school should have on the shelves, Laura. Beautiful collection of poems and photographs.
I agree, Linda. Kids will love this!
Looks like a book everyone, and every school should have on the shelves, Laura. Beautiful collection of poems and photographs.
I agree, Linda. Kids will love this!
WOW that Carl Sandburg poem rocks. This must be a fabulous book! Can’t wait to get my hands on it.
It is gorgeous, Andi. A little bit of everything, poem-wise, and a whole lotta beauty.
WOW that Carl Sandburg poem rocks. This must be a fabulous book! Can’t wait to get my hands on it.
It is gorgeous, Andi. A little bit of everything, poem-wise, and a whole lotta beauty.
This is an epic undertaking Pat completed. A PERFECT marriage between words and pictures. Stunning. That toucan poem on page 145 isn’t so bad either!
Hehe–haven’t read your poem(s?) yet, Charles. Will be sure to once I recover from my travel. I can’t wait to read this cover-to-cover.
This is an epic undertaking Pat completed. A PERFECT marriage between words and pictures. Stunning. That toucan poem on page 145 isn’t so bad either!
Hehe–haven’t read your poem(s?) yet, Charles. Will be sure to once I recover from my travel. I can’t wait to read this cover-to-cover.
This book looks so cool, and I’ve already seen some of the poems included (like J. Patrick Lewis’ contribution) – this is going to be a truly remarkable book!
It is! I haven’t yet read it start to finish, but I’ve jumped around in it. Every poem so far is a winner!
This book looks so cool, and I’ve already seen some of the poems included (like J. Patrick Lewis’ contribution) – this is going to be a truly remarkable book!
It is! I haven’t yet read it start to finish, but I’ve jumped around in it. Every poem so far is a winner!