What Is Poetry?

Anchoring this post in time and space:
"Safe at Home" response to Covid19 pandemic continues, and that means libraries are still closed. The hold list for my library account is nearly maxed out, I've been direct ordering some titles from local (and distant) independent bookstores, and I've re-sorted my own personal (quite large) collection of picture books. Future posts will feature some of the gems that surfaced in that latter process. For now, I find myself frustrated at not having stacks and stacks of picture books at my fingertips in my work space. 
I appreciate libraries now more than ever.
Since April is poetry month, I decided to take a different tack with this post. I'm hoping that, after reading here, some of you will participate in comments. 

What this quotation calls to mind, for me, is the complexity of reactions people have to the word/concept POETRY. Some imagine poetry as sing-songy nursery rhymes, while others flinch at schoolage memories of tasks that demanded analysis and rote memorization of poems that felt disconnected from personal experience. 

Such is not the stuff of poetry, to me.

Here's a list of qualities of poetry that some former eight-to-nine-year old third graders developed with me years ago, representing only a PARTIAL list for identifying and defining poetry: 

Poetry is literature with special feelings, word choices, forms, and patterns.

Poetry:

·      Needs to use words

·      Does not have to be written on paper

·      Should go through the writing process to polish it to a shine

·      Does not have to be in a book

·      May have things in it to figure out

·      Can rhyme, but doesn’t have to rhyme

·      Can be long or short

·      Can describe things or people

·      Can be about nature

·      Can be about anything

·      Can be funny, sad, or mad (the more emotions it makes you feel, the better)

·      Usually has a title (the title may be a line of the poem, or might be repeated in the patterns, but it doesn’t have to be)

·      Can have pictures (that might or might not help understand the meaning of the poem)

·      Needs an author (but some authors are anonymous)

·      Can be true or not

·      Can be real or not

·      Can have word patterns that make the ideas stronger

·      Can be silly, with mixed up ideas

·      Can use names, made-up words, or other word play

·      Can be a tongue-twister, or use special writing styles or forms

·      Needs a careful reader who rereads several times to “get it all", to find all that the author is saying

Millbrook Press, 2019. Editor Miranda Paul

What would you add to this list of traits? 

Are there picture books that spring to mind as you read these ideas about poetry? 

     During poetry month and beyond, give some thought to buying, reading, and being inspired to write poetry. An outstanding place to start is the poetry anthology, THANKU, an uplifting compilation of works by talented writers, edited by Miranda Paul. Among those poems you'll find many of the qualities my former students recognized, and more. You'll encounter works by Joseph Bruchac, Margarita Engle, Liz Garton Scanlon, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Naomi Shihab Nye, Charles Waters, and Jane Yolen, and more. (Click each name to check their websites for books you may already have at home!)

      

    There is no better time than now to turn to poetry. What do you recommend? How do you use poetry? What would you add to that descriptive list? Care to share some of your own work?

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UBIQUITOUS-NESS Matters

I'll post a day early this week to focus on a major event.
Drum roll please...

lift the page on the calendar...

April has arrived, Poetry Month.

*Sigh* Brace yourself for another mini-rant on the mixed blessing of "Months"- Black History, Women's History, and now Poetry. In my opinion (and I'm far from alone in this) awareness and appreciation of poetry and the rich diversity of contributors to history should be ubiquitous.

Ubiquitous? I've been a word-aholic for as long as I can remember, but I confess (with a mix of smugness and shame) that I rarely used a dictionary. As a prolific reader from a verbal family, I was reasonably good at inferring from context. Add to that my reluctance to interrupt a good story and teachers who also valued expansive vocabularies and I was convinced that I "knew" most words. I even used them in my writing successfully (as indicated by minimal red circles or questions marks on my returned papers). I rarely looked up words, especially if they appeared frequently in text.

"Ubiquitous" is one of those words that I "knew" in a generic way- it kinda sorta meant common or regular or often, or... something like that.

Eventually I acquired enough age to slow my reading and thinking down, to appreciate nuance and precision (obsessive, I am; perfectionist, I am not). That's when I began to "look up" words and found out why the word ubiquitous is so... so... ubiquitous. (adjective: everywhere, omnipresent).

Which brings me to UBIQUITOUS: CELEBRATING NATURE'S SURVIVORS, with Poetry by Joyce Sidman and illustrations by Beckie Prange. (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010).
Every detail of this book deserves attention, beginning where else- with the end papers. The challenge of creating a timeline for the 4.6 billion year history of planet Earth, to scale, is daunting. A densely swirled and convoluted line fills the double page spread of this large format book, each centimeter equaling a million years. Sweeping timespans from the emergence of bacteria to mollusks, lichens, sharks, beetles, diatoms, geckos, ants, grasses, squirrels, crows dandelions, coyotes, and humans actually make some sense with this accurately rendered and labeled art.

Each page turn after that offers parallel text- a poem paired with accessible scientific narration- embedded in equally beautiful and informative illustrations. Together they offer insight and praise to Earth's ubiquitous survivors over millions of years, to the living things so "omnipresent" that we overlook their amazing success. Precise vocabulary serves both the science and the poetry well, supported by a glossary, author's note, and illustrator's note.

(Patience. I'll tie this all together soon. We're on the home stretch now.)

This book, spotlighting Earth's ubiquitous survivors, should not be overlooked. Nor should poetry. Thus, Poetry Month has its place.

For a little inspiration, and daily links, follow Gottabook, a blog by Greg Pincus, to share his annual 30 Poets/30 Days. He features a different kids' poetry superstar each and every day, some of whom even share original creations for this project.

Do you know any kids who like to write poetry? (Or some who don't?) Check the KIdsWWWrite site edited by Margriet Ruurs. It's a safe and supportive opportunity for kids to publish their work, and even reluctant writers love to do that.

While you're online stop by several other poetry sites, each of which can become addictive habits for you and for kids. First, a resource for you, is PoetryAtPlay.org. Then, for you and for kids, visit GigglePoetry.com and Poetry4Kids.com.

Since April is Poetry Month, seize it. Dive in with both feet using UBIQUITOUS and countless other picture books (to be named soon). Cram every nook and cranny of space and time available (and unavailable- it's POETRY MONTH-duh) with poems of every size, shape, and topic. Make it ubiquitous. And then keep it that way, all throughout the year.

The Timeless Triumph of Poetry

Here I am again , whining about the double-edged swords of monthly themes (Black History, Women's History, Hispanic Heritage, etc.). In my opinion the sharpest of those double-edged swords is the designation of April as POETRY MONTH.  The benefit, of course, is the likelihood that kids (and adults!) will experience poetry more often and with more attention this month than is usually the case. 
My HOPE is that some will encounter a category of language and literature that reaches out and grabs them by the heart and never lets go.
My REGRET is that so many kids (and adults!) do NOT experience poetry daily, despite its power and potential to reach our hearts and minds in a matter of moments using only a few artfully chosen words.
Just a few examples are shared here, with more to follow in the weeks to come.

Eerdmans 
Books for Young Readers, 2011

Let's start with poetry collections that reach back several centuries: 

I LAY MY STITCHES DOWN: Poems of American Slavery, written by Cynthia Grady and illustrated by Michele Wood. Awards and recognitions for this title include Parents' Choice Award in the poetry category, New York Public Library, Children's Books 2012: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

I wrote on Goodreads:
With my love of quilts, southern heritage, and appreciation for both poetry and art, this oversized offering from Eerdmans BYR earns the highest rating. Each free-verse poem is ten-by-ten (ten lines, ten syllables each) to mimic the structure of a quilt. Each left spread includes the title of a traditional quilt pattern, a poem, a strip of the quilt pattern, and an historic note about the role of quilts in slave history. The right side spread combines the abstraction of the pattern with an artistic image of the slave life that inspired it. Brilliantly done!

Chronicle Books, 2012

Moving on to the past century brings us to WHEN THUNDER COMES: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders, by J. Patrick Lewis, Children's Poet Laureat. This collection has the unusual distinction of being illustrated by multiple artists, including Jim Burke, R. Gregory Christie, Tonya Engel, John Parra, and Meilo So. (Each of these links is worth a second look.)

My Goodreads notes on this title:
Of the many books written about civil rights leaders, some lesser known than others, these poems capture their voices and spirits better than anything else I've read. These are definitely for an older audience, not only because of the challenging vocabulary and language, but because of the depth of conflicts, emotions, and issues explored.

Disney Press, 2013

When it comes to history, nothing matters more to each of us than personal history. Hearing poems, reciting poems (individually and in chorale groups), and memorizing poems are experiences that stay with us for life. That's why I'm such a fan of POEMS TO LEARN BY HEART collected by Caroline Kennedy with paintings by Jon J. Muth.

I'm also a fan of Kennedy's previous anthology of poems: A FAMILY OF POEMS (below). This more recent collection exceeded my expectations. Once again Jon Muth's illustrations serve the poems well, subtly extending and exploring meaning. The organization by themes is effective, back matter additions are helpful and well organized.
Given its premise of rote memorization and oral recitation, the collection offers something for everyone, from Langston Hughes's eleven word "Bad Morning" to the epic "Casey at the Bat".

Disney-Hyperion, 2005

The earlier anthology by this duo should be in every family and classroom collection, too: A FAMILY OF POEMS: My Favorite Poetry for Children collected by Caroline Kennedy with paintings by Jon J. Muth. Poetry anthologies are always an asset, but some offer more than others. In this case the poets represented range from the Bible to Anonymous to Edward Lear- and on and on and on...
In addition they are wisely arranged (About ME, So Silly, Animals, The Seasons, The Seashore, Adventure, and Bedtime). The forward, first line index, and foreign poems in original languages make it all the more useful and informative.

The title of this post reflects my conviction that poetry transcends time- reaching back into history, capturing voices from the past, and easily evoking our own personal memories. 
Poetry is powerful for the same reasons as picture books are. 

Each is COMPACT, COMPLETE, and COMPELLING. 

Make poetry a part of every day, starting TODAY!

Praising Poetry: Poetry Month and Timeless Classics

A recent Facebook post by poet extraordinaire,  Lee Bennet Hopkins, noted this distressing statistic:
"POETRY UPDATE: Of some 3,400 children's/YA books published in 2016, less than 55 books of poetry appeared. This includes rhyme, original collections, anthologies and verse novels."

That post generated 40+ comments and reactions, all of which expressed praise for poetry in young lives, along with concern for the obvious decline of interest in producing poetry books for young readers from within the publishing industry.

I, too, bemoaned the reduced number of "collections", themed or otherwise. It's true, in the early and mid- decades of the last century there were far fewer books published for children in general. Books tended toward anthologies, retold classics, a few longer novels or series, and poetry collections aimed at young audiences that were often written by poets who primarily wrote for adults.

The children's section of the library I visited as a child had a pathetic collection. I often spent up to an hour scrounging around for books I might enjoy, most of which had been rebound in dull fabric covers. Once I settled on a few possibilities, I'd hurry to the equally pitiful poetry section. There, I'd check out my favorite and familiar titles, multiple times. Edward Lear (poems), James Thurber (cartoons), William Steig (stories and cartoons) filled my need for word play, humor, and language with the mastery of precision-cut diamonds.

April is poetry month, and I used the lower case for that phrase rather than designating it with caps. As I posted in the early weeks of this blog more than five years ago, theme months are double edged swords. Remembering my childhood willingness to reread old favorites, especially in the absence of other options, I headed over to a used book outlet and ordered a dozen or more of those favorites.

I knew that Lear's work had long outlived his life, but it wasn't until ordering that I realized the original publication date of his BOOK OF NONSENSE was 1846! I get such pleasure out of picturing Abe Lincoln reciting Lear rhymes with his sons. I have no doubt whatsoever that their shared enjoyment of those and other books, rhymes, and stories was in no way bounded by special monthly designations. 
With my position on theme months clearly stated, I'll await delivery of my old friends. I'll be back to share some more recent favorites, too, and will post about multiple poetry titles in special categories. Many of those posts will be in April, but I'll continue throughout the year. 

And here, just for the fun of it, is a link to poetry.org to access posters and activities.

Singing the Praises of "LYRICAL" Picture Books: Poetry Month

Kids often insist that nothing is a poem unless it rhymes. The flip side of that belief is that anything that rhymes is a poem. Actually, there are plenty of adults who feel the same way. 

I don't. 

Debates about what poetry is, or isn't, have gone on for centuries. Poetry.org says this:
POETRY: literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.

I've seen amazing visual art that strikes me as poetic (including the illustrations for these featured books) as well as scenes in nature (crashing waves, starlit nights, crystalline fields of snow, murmurations of starlings, etc.) But, since this is a picture book blog, I'll focus on literary poetry here. 
My questions of the day:

• If picture book text rhymes, does it mean it is poetry?
• Can picture book text be considered poetry if it doesn't rhyme?

My personal (arbitrary) guide in answering those two questions follows. 

Poetry (picture book or otherwise) is:

written and/or spoken;

distinctly lyrical (style and rhythm);

focused on emotions or concepts;

presented in a concise, intentional form.

That first point suits picture book text perfectly: It is written AND intended to be spoken aloud.

Jumping to the final trait, picture book text is concise and presented in an intentional format.  

Certainly anthologies, themed collections, and specialty forms (novels in verse, haiku, poems for two voices, etc.) are poems, too. 

But what about the very familiar category of narrative picture books, in two types:  rhymed and unrhymed?

For these, I focus on the two central traits above.

I'd argue that EVERY picture book should engage emotional or conceptual reactions. That isn't limited to tenderhearted reactions but includes humor or surprise or the simple satisfaction of a story well-told. When that is the case, picture book text meets three-out-four of my indicators of poetry.

The final condition comes down to that lyrical quality, which is by no means a trait of every picture book. Certainly personal taste comes into play, but there are qualities that can be noted and appreciated, too. I feel confident in asserting that the two examples below, both by the same author, are poetic text.

Harper, 2019

REMARKABLY YOU is written in rhyme by Pat Zietlow Miller with energizing, expressive illustrations by Patrice Barton.

"You might be bold, 

You might be loud.

Leading parades. Drawing a crowd.

You might be timid.

You might be shy.

Quietly watching your neighbors go by."

...

"You are a blessing,

a promise, a prize.

You're capable, caring, courageous, and wise."

These passages exemplify the lyrical quality that distinguishes all of Miller's rhyming picture books: a rhythmic style that appears effortless yet reveals deeply thoughtful craft. It's rhymed text that invites read-aloud and read-along while providing structure and story to propel prediction and page turns. The excellent rhythm and rhyme provide auditory pacing, and the progression of underlying concepts and messages build to a gratifying conclusion. 
These lines (and the entire text) serve well as examples for young readers eager to try their hands at writing rhymed stories. Writing in rhyme can be as challenging as it is fun. The trickiest aspect of lyrical text is achieving consistent meter (rhythm) that sounds natural, unforced. Miller's words are consistent in providing a sense of conversational speech, but are written with technically perfect meter that begs to be put to music. 
Adults trying to write rhymed text for publication, especially picture books, would do well to type out the full text. In that format Miller's mastery of the craft is even more evident: the use of parallel structures and images (as in the first two stanzas above), and the minimalist but familiar scenes suggested. The third stanza above comes near the conclusion of the book. In it, the resolution of emotion, empowerment, and momentum are undeniable. Using second person voice can be a dangerous choice, but Miller's lilting language is inspiring rather than teaching or--to be avoided at all costs--preaching. 

Is the text of this picture book poetry? I vote yes.

Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2019

WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE is written in unrhymed but undeniably lyrical text, enhanced by the lilting and emotionally expressive illustrations by Eliza Wheeler. This particularly brilliant author/illustrator pairing originated with one of MIller's earlier picture books, WHEREVER YOU GO (also by Little Brown BYR, 2015). 
In that work Miller used rhymed text. (I reviewed it when it released, here.) I'm delighted to see their talents once again interacting so magically in WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE. (I urge you to read more about Wheeler's approach to the text and view a short trailer for the book over at Betsy Bird's FUSE 8 Production blog for School Library Journal, HERE. I guarantee you'll enjoy the insights and closer look at the art.)
Meanwhile, I'm excited to share just a few lines from Miller's unrhymed but LYRICAL text.

"Some days, 

when everything around

you seems scary...

You have to be brave.

Brave as a bird that steps from its nest,

hoping to soar through the sky.

Brave as a dog that

wanders for miles,

searching for one

well-known light."

"At times like these, the world can seem...

Too big. Too loud. Too hard. Too much.

While you feel...

Too small.

Too quiet.

Too tired.

Not enough."

Unlike Miller's previous rhymed text, these lines read as free verse. The rhythm is established within the language itself. Replace each syllable with "la", then read it aloud. You'll find yourself reciting the text with a musical meter and flow. Miller magnifies that effect by using repetitive phrasing, figurative language, and metaphoric images. 

If that analysis suggests the text is formal or stilted, I assure you it is not. Note the child-friendly images of fledging birds and lost dogs, both with inherent appeal and intense emotional connections. Wheeler's illustrations explore those intense emotions, cycling through memories of common fears (public speaking, first day of school, etc.) without overwhelming, but honoring the legitimacy of the worry and angst those memories recall. 

Miller's theme (being brave) is artfully layered, emerging without even once using the word FEAR, providing scripted remedies, or calling on a character to have superpowers. In this narrative, she again uses second person/direct address, and again inspires rather than resorting to bossing or an "adult" tone. Readers are gently encouraged to recognize and draw on their inner resources to imagine, to remember, and to rely on themselves.  

This book in particular reminds me of the quality of Robert Frost poems, using ordinary and familiar objects and experiences to explore deeper emotions and address significant human questions.

Is the text of this picture book poetry?  Again, I vote YES.

So, whether honoring April's theme of poetry or reading picture books throughout the year, i encourage you (and kids you care about) to develop your own "rules" for what makes a poem a poem then apply that to the text. Kids eagerly enjoy rewriting lyrics to familiar songs, so consider using outstanding text such as these to model writing, too. 

Keep in mind that these are my opinions and I welcome discussion and additional title recommendations in the comments. I could recommend many other picture book titles, rhymed and unrhymed, that deserve designation as poetry.  Thanks to Pat Z. Miller for permission to quote lines from these picture books. I urge everyone to read the entire text, repeatedly.
Library editions of both titles were used for this review and post.

April 30: Last Call for Poetry Month... NOT!

 In the recent posts I've focused on picture books that engage with EARTH DAY and environmental topics. Missed them? Check out books that involve restoration/repurposing, HERE, our remarkable planet's precious OCEAN, and the damage that we do to it, HERE,  the power of shared generational experiences to develop environmental values, HERE, animal adaptation in response to habitat changes, HERE, the never-ending need for vigilant attention when progress is made, HERE, and some very specific examples of turning values into action, HERE. 

Whew! There are plenty more books I could have touted, but April is just a wildly busy month when it comes to focusing on important themes and topics.

But... and if you've read my posts in the past this will not be news... THEME MONTHS are a double edged sword! Environmental concern and action is useless unless it becomes a 24/7/365 practice. So, too, it's foolish to think that designating a single week in April to extend thanks to our librarians, library workers and public library services is adequate. As citizens of our communities and members of a literate society, it falls to each of us to speak up for public funding fr those services, join and engage with any library "friends" organizations in our communities, and go out of our way to thank those workers at every opportunity.

As if that's not enough, APRIL is designated as NATIONAL POETRY Month. So, since today is  April 30, I'll feature some poetry books and thoughts here and then ignore poetry for another year. 

As the title for this post indicates: NOT!

Just a year ago, I had a post about the importance of poetry in our lives, HERE. 

I included this poster:

If you don't have time to click back to read the whole post, here are a few lines that I shared then, with deep respect for the young readers who helped develop the definition:

Poetry is literature with special feelings, word choices, forms, and patterns.

I urge you to read their insights. Here are only a few to explore their answers to the question, WHAT IS POETRY?:

Poetry:

·      Needs to use words

·      Does not have to be written on paper

·      Should go through the writing process to polish it to a shine

·      Does not have to be in a book

·      May have things in it to figure out

·      Can rhyme, but doesn’t have to rhyme

·      Can be long or short

·      Can describe things or people

·      Can be about nature

·      Can be about anything

and so much more...

Let's turn that calendar page tomorrow while making it a priority

 to read and recite and memorize and recommend and celebrate 

POETRY- 

EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR!

Poetry Month Ends... But Poetry Lingers On.

Just in case you've missed the news, APRIL is NATIONAL POETRY MONTH, for all ages. So, now that April 30 has arrived, this will conclude my posts about poetry picture books. 

NO!

There's no cause for alarm as I survey the tall stack of poetry collections, patiently awaiting their turns in the spotlight. If you're new to this blog, you can read my longstanding objection to theme months here, going way back to the early weeks of this blog in 2012. In fact, the only issue I have with a stack of poetry books not yet shared is a slight worry that I could trip  over them and break something, possibly ME! There's always time in the year(s) ahead to share them here, but I'll improve the safety factor by powering through some favorite HAIKU collections before shifting gears for a few weeks to other genre. NO worries, though. Poetry will return before long.

Greenwillow Books, 2004

So, in rapid-fire succession, here are some of my favorite haiku picture books, with a sample poem from each. 

IF NOT FOR THE CAT features poetry by  Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Ted Rand. Most are familiar with Prelutsky's tightly rhymed/metered poems, many bordering on rapid-fire raps, but these haiku offer reflections through the point of view of familiar creatures, enhanced by remarkably powerful illustrations. 

CROW: 

Raucously we caw.

Your straw men do not fool us.

We burgle your corn.

Henry Holt and Company, 2011

Next up is WON-TON: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku, written by Lee Wardlaw and illustrated by Eugene Yeltsin. In this case, this big-eyed, sharp-clawed cat shares the experience of being a shelter cat through selection, adjustment, and acceptance in a rescue home.

Here's the first of three poems as the cat arrives at the shelter. 

Nice place they got here.

Bed. Bowl. Blanket. Just like home!

Or so I've been told.

And one from the collection labeled HOME:

Your tummy, soft as 

warm dough. I knead and knead, then

bake it with a nap.

Simon and Schuster BYR, 2007

A similar premise reflects the arrival of a stray dog at a home whose family has no intention of adding a dog. DOGKU is written  by Andrew Clements with heart-tugging illustrations by Tim Bowers. This adds a bonus flap haiku:

A tale in haiku

of one adorable dog.

Let's find him a home.

Even the author's and illustrator's dedications are in haiku. 

Adjusting to a new home is never easy:

Chew on dirty socks.

Roll around in week-old trash.

Ahhh...that's much better.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010

Last (for now), but certainly not least, Is GUYKU: A Year of Haiku for Boys, written by Bob Raczka and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Organized by seasons, beginning in SPRING (isn't that when every year really begins?), these are action-packed insights into the power of poetry to capture pure joy. 

I free grasshopper

from his tight, ten-fingered cage--

he tickles too much!

And later in the year...

Icicles dangle,

begging to be broken off

for a short sword fight.

So, I invite you to join me in my resistance to the unconscious restrictions of theme months. Hustle on out (or click on your library hold access online) and check out these terrific books. I'm excited to add that these, and their authors, will lead you to additional outstanding titles. 

Enjoy!