The Poem That Will Not End - Talking With Joan Bransfield Graham

What happens when poetry takes over your life? Ryan O'Brian finds out when he spouts poetry and writes poems all day long!

While at recess he says:

I beg you, won’t you help me?
Please help me, be a friend.
Rescue me, I’m captured—
this poem will not end!

Then later in the evening while taking a bath he proclaimed:

My brain went into overdrive,

I started writing faster,
careening wild at breakneck speed—
a poetry disaster.

Early the next morning he laments:

I spent a restless night and thought,
Whatever can I do?
When I woke up, I found my pillows
covered with . . . haiku!

THE POEM THAT WILL NOT END: FUN WITH POETIC FORMS AND VOICES, written by Joan Bransfield Graham and illustrated by Krysten Brooker, is a fun-filled romp through the day in the life of a young boy who gets caught up in poetry.

While the rhyming text of the story keeps readers moving forward, it's the poems written in the illustrations that make you stop to soak in all the poetry goodness. You’ll find a villanelle, sonnet, acrostic, haiku, limerick, and many more forms. This triolet describes just how caught up Ryan is in writing poetry.

CAPTURED

|’m captured, won’t you help me find a way, 

to free me from this urgent need to write? 

|t follows me and hounds me night and day. 

|’m captured, won’t you help me find a way,

 to toss aside this curse—| want to play! 

You must admit . . . this is a scary sight. 

|’m captured, won’t you help me find a way, 

to free me from this urgent need to write?

All poems ©Joan Bransfield Graham. All rights reserved.

While reading this book I found myself thinking back to MATH CURSE, written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith. In it, readers follow a nameless student who lives a day filled with math problems. This book is different in that Graham has given readers a boy with a name, a family, and an ordinary life filled with poetry. Kids will love the story, while teachers will love the fun poems and poetic forms that are introduced.

Reading this had me wanting to ask folks around me, "how do you use poetry in your own life?" I think that’s a great question to put to the very talented author of this book. Here are her thoughts about that and some more on her poetry writing process.

**********

How have you used poetry in your own life?
Joan:  I make my own cards with my original photos and poems.  Isn't poetry what we reach for in life's most important, emotional moments? But I think poetry is how you see the world. It expands our vision, helps us see higher, wider, deeper . . . longer.  It captures a moment in time. Sometimes life can take over your poetry. I found if I didn't make poetry an important part of my life, I wasn't the person I was meant to be. It can be a continuing challenge to fit everything in . . . a juggling act. While POEM is written in a humorous vein to let children see that poetry is FUN, I hope it also makes some small statement that we must embrace our creativity, our uniqueness, and weave it into our lives; we are all richer for it. Ryan O'Brian, in the end, does "make it work." I love how poetry connects us to ourselves, to each other, to the world. We have such a vibrant poetry community! Here's to celebrating each other's imagination, sharing a healthy, joyful creative "Fever," and staying connected. 

When was the main text/poem of the book composed? How did it start? 
Joan: Many years ago, and "It started with a rhythm,/ a rhythm and a rhyme." and I couldn't stop--I kept adding more ideas. The line "My mom called up, "Are you in bed?" is directly from my life. I was a "night owl" even as a child and was probably reading a book or writing poetry as late as I could. I never wrote on the mirror with toothpaste though.

Did you share your drafts of the poems before you finished the book? Is there an individual or a group of individuals with whom you regularly share work? 
Joan: Yes, I did. When I first moved to California, I met some wonderful poets (They were writing for adults.), and they are still dear friends. I'm in a terrific, helpful critique group of fellow SCBWI writers (I'm the only poet.), and we meet at my home once a month.  I'm also a founding member of the Children's Authors Network (CAN!)--a marvelous group of authors and illustrators, which includes poetry dynamos Janet Wong and April Halprin Wayland (also with Teaching Authors). If you click here, and then again on "Classroom Resources," http://canetwork.weebly.com/joan-bransfield-graham.html, you'll find my Teacher Ideas, across the curriculum, for POEM and other useful guides. As Co-coordinator of Ventura County for our SCBWI Central-Coastal California region, I help to plan a variety of events throughout the year for writers and artists in our area.  

How long do you let your poems “sit” before you let them go? Do you finish poems or abandon them?
Joan: As long as they need. Rather than "abandon" poems, I think of them as being in various stages of incubation. It does help to let a poem "cool" for a few days and then look at it anew with "fresh eyes." 

Do you have a favorite poem from the book? Or a poem that you loved that didn’t make it into the final manuscript? 
Joan: I'm fond of "Bike," the poem from yesterday's prompt. Couldn't "Bike" be a metaphor for poetry? When you "step on," you are in for a ride that can "take you anywhere." I hope "the road ahead" is filled with poetry for all your readers. Tricia, you are doing an incredible job of seeing to that for both the fans of your blog and your students! 

Would you like to share the details of any new poetry project(s) that you’re working on?
Joan: So many things! Lee Bennett Hopkins has a new book, MANGER, scheduled for Sept., 2014, and I am fortunate to have a "Rooster" poem included--in fact, I see my rooster is on the cover! I have many other poems in forthcoming anthologies. When a friend whose son teaches high school English mentioned his students wondered why they needed to study poetry, I started writing an article--FIVE REASONS TO GIVE CHILDREN THE GIFT OF POETRY. I'm not sure where I'll send that piece when it's finished, but I need to write it. I guess I'm Ryan O'Brian.

**********
I had the pleasure of interviewing Joan nearly 5 years ago for a National Poetry Month series. You can read more about her and her poetry at Poetry Makers - Joan Bransfield Graham.

THE POEM THAT WILL NOT END is a welcome addition to the world of children's poetry. I do hope you get a chance to enjoy it.

Thanks so much to Joan for inviting me on this blog tour. You can check out the other stops on this electronic journey at:
Monday, Jan. 27 - Poetry for Children
Tuesday, Jan. 28 - Tales from the Rushmore Kid
Wednesday, Jan. 29 - Double Olympic Poetry Challenge and Teaching Authors
Friday, Jan. 31 - Jama's Alphabet Soup

So now for the fun! If you'd like to win a copy of THE POEM THAT WILL NOT END, please enter below. A winner will be chosen on February 5th.

Win Some Poetry Books!

Over at my math and science blog I'm celebrating the fact that my Pinterest site has nearly 10,000 followers. I'm a bit shocked to tell you the truth. Pinterest has been a fabulous way for me materials related to elementary instruction. Where I once used Google Sites and Weebly, I now use the boards on Pinterest. I can't emphasize how important the visual aspect of this has been. Instead of reading through lists of bookmarks and site descriptions, I can actually SEE what things look like. To say this has revolutionized the way I organize ideas and resources is an understatement.

In honor of closing in on the 10,000 follower milestone, I am giving away copies of a few of my favorite science poetry books. Here they are.

  
 

Head on over to Bookish Ways in Math and Science for a chance to win.

A Maddening Contest

William and I spent many hours in bookstores and shops this past weekend. In one bookstore visit we sat together and read Linda Urban's new book Mouse Was Mad. (I love that at 8 William still wants to read picture books.)

After reading we talked about what makes him mad. We also talked about the ideas offered by various animals as to "how to be mad," and ultimately, how to feel better. I was thrilled when he said the best way to feel better was to get a hug from me! But then, what if he's mad at me? So I asked. He said he likes to stick his tongue out at me when I'm not looking! (Um, I do this to my husband, so there's no question about where he got it. Must mend my ways . . . )

What makes me angry? Not much these days, but I do get really frustrated in general while driving, and yes, sometimes angry. Not road rage angry, but shake-you-head-angry about the dumb things people do. Wouldn't the road be a nicer place if we all (me included) just slowed down a bit and learned to take turns?

What makes me feel better? Ironing. Washing dishes in very hot, soapy water. Sticking my tongue out (and the ensuing laugh that always follows). A nice long walk. Curling up with the dog, down on the floor, at her level. Turning the music up really loud. Sometimes the cure depends on what made me mad.

How about you? What makes you mad? What makes you feel better?

Blog about it or leave a comment over at Crooked Perfect, Linda Urban's blog, and you could win a copy of Mouse Was Mad AND a box of truffles! (How did chocolate not make my feel better list?!) Hurry, contest ends on May 9th.

Final Poetry Book Giveaway Winner

And the winner is . . .

Steady Hands: Poems About Work, goes to . . .

Linda at Write Time
(Another two-time winner!)

Congratulations to all of this month's lucky recipients!

Winners of the Recent Poetry Book Giveaway

And the winners are . . .

Stella, Unleashed: Notes From the Doghouse goes to . . .

Mary Jane
Bridget at What is Bridget Reading?

(Both of whom, if I'm not mistaken,
have already won books this month!)

Final Poetry Book Giveaway

I have one title left to give away in celebration of National Poetry Month. Steady Hands: Poems About Work, written by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer and illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy, is a collection of 34 free-verse poems on a variety of jobs and careers. The book opens with a poem called "Morning" and ends with one called "Night." In between are insightful poems packed full of information, though not in an overt manner. The metaphors and descriptions offered are lovely and thoughtfully chosen. Here are two of my favorites.

Baker

Snowy flour dusts the early
lavender light
in the backroom of the bakery.
With each
flap
roll
flap
the baker's hands
disappear
and reappear
in the folds
of dough.


Tow Truck Driver

The tow truck driver
fishes in the city:
a taxi
a sportscar
and a minivan--
three keepers
reeled in
before breakfast.

Leave me a note about a job that you think would make for an interesting poem and I'll enter you in the drawing to win. You have until midnight on Thursday (April 30) to enter.

All poems ©Tracie Vaughn Zimmer. All rights reserved.

Recent Book Giveaway Winners!

And the winners are . . .

Stampede! goes to . . .
Deo Writer (Jone)!

Stanza goes to . . .
MJ!

Book Buying Fever (And a Giveaway or Two!)

Yesterday I went to Barnes and Noble with William and a good friend. (Our favorite children's bookstore was closed! What's a reader to do?!) I left with many books. Too many! My friend just shook her head and told me I have a sickness. I did try to rationalize the purchases (you're surprised?) saying that most came from the bargain shelf or the 50% off table.

I am drawn to the sale table largely because I find something very sad about remaindered books. I wonder if authors feel this way when they see the pieces they've worked so hard to bring to market moved into this arena. When I find great books in such places, I rescue them and save them for workshops, school visits, or gifts for teacher friends. Today I'm giving them away to celebrate National Poetry Month!
I rescued TWO copies of the fabulous book Stella, Unleashed: Notes From the Doghouse, written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Paul Meisel. I want to pass them on to homes or classrooms where they'll receive lots of attention and become dog-eared because they've been loved so much. Leave me a note about what you love most about DOGS (sorry all you cat lovers) and I'll enter you in the drawing to win. You have until midnight on Wednesday (April 29) to enter.

Book Giveaways Today!

Today is the last day of the semester. I'm happy and a bit sad all at once. To celebrate, I'm going to give away a poetry book!

Stanza, written by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Jack E. Davis, is the story of a dog who LOVES to write poetry. Here's how it begins.

Stanza prowled through the streets
with his two rotten brothers,
annoying and chasing and bullying others.
Folks, called him "Bad doggy!"
or "Flea-bitten thug!"
or "Scoundrel!"
or "Bonehead!"
or "Slobbery lug!"

But once Dirge and Fresco were sleeping at last,
Stanza cautiously . . . silently . . . slowly crept past
to a shadowy space
tucked away
out of sight
where he sat with a pad
and wrote poems all night.

For a chance to win this book, leave a comment letting us know about your favorite place to write poetry. You have until midnight tomorrow to enter. On Sunday the winner will be chosen.

Also, I'm giving away a book from one of today's poetry makers! Leave a comment on THAT post (you'll have to figure out which one it is!) and you'll be entered to win a copy of the poet's newest book. Hurry though, that contest ends at midnight tonight!

Curious Garden Drawing Contest

Over at Brimful Curiosities, there is a review of the book The Curious Garden by Peter Brown. There's also a book giveaway going on, so be sure to read all the details.

In her post, Janelle also wrote about the Curious Garden Drawing Contest sponsored by Hachette Book Group. Kids ages 3-13 should create a color drawing/rendering of a garden. Winning designs will receive exclusive Curious Garden seed packets, flowerpots and a copy of The Curious Garden. Here are the details.

Enter one of two (2) ways:
(1) Online: You may enter by filling out the entry form (located at the end of the Official Rules), having a parent or guardian sign it on the child's behalf, TOGETHER WITH A COPY OF THE SUBMISSION and emailing it to:

lbkidsmarketing@hbgusa.com

The subject heading of the email should be “Curious Garden Contest”.

(2) Regular Mail: You may enter by filling out the entry form (located at the end of the Official Rules), having a parent or guardian sign it on the child's behalf, TOGETHER WITH A COPY OF THE SUBMISSION and mailing it postage prepaid, to:

Entries
Curious Garden Contest
Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, Attention: AM 15-161C
York, NY 10017

Entries should be received by May 8th 2009.

Here is William's entry. When you say garden to him he immediately thinks of vegetables! I, however, think of Monet. *Sigh*

Book Giveaway Winners!

And the winners are . . .

Button Up!: Wrinkled Rhymes goes to . . .
Charlotte at Charlotte's Library

What Can You Do With An Old Red Shoe? goes to . . .
Tanita Davis at Finding Wonderland
Brimful Curiosities
Jenny at Elementary, My Dear, or Far From It

Congratulations to each winner! Please send me your mailing address so I can get your book to you!

I Feel Like Giving Books Away - Your Chance to Win!

Today I posted a review of What Can You Do With An Old Red Shoe? for Nonfiction Monday. If you leave a comment ON THAT POST with your best crafty recycling idea, you could win a copy of the book. Actually, THREE lucky folks will win!

One of the projects in the book that uses a raggedy T-shirt to create something new. This got me thinking about the following poem from Alice Schertle's new book Button Up!: Wrinkled Rhymes.

Tanya's Old T-Shirt

I live in a bucket shoved under a stair.
They call me a dust rag!
It don't think it's fair.

I'm still the same size as when I was new.
I didn't shrink—
it was Tanya who GREW.

She started out small and we fit to a T.
Now she's big as a sofa!
She's tall as a tree!
She's out of control, and they're dusting with me!

You'll never, not ever
hear anyone say,
"She's gotten too big, she's just in the way,
let's dust the piano with Tanya today."

You can win a copy of Alice Schertle's book by leaving a comment about your most creative use for old shirts, socks, underwear and the like. Let's hear your great ideas! You have until midnight to enter to win.

Latest Poetry Book Winner

The winner of Joyce Sidman's book

Red Sings From Treetops: A Year in Colors
is . . .

Natalie D. - a UR alumnae and a 5th grade teacher!
Woohoo!

Natalie, e-mail me your address and I'll send you the book!

Poetry Book Winners!

Here are the winners of the recent random drawings for poetry books. If your name is on the list, please send me an e-mail with your mailing address so I can send you your prize! Congratulations to all the winners.

Infant Bibliophile

Linda at Write Time

Annie at Write Now in Room 204

Bridget at What is Reading?

Poetry Book Giveaways!

Since April began, 13 poets have been interviewed in the Poetry Makers series. If you've been reading this week, you'll have noticed that I'm giving away poetry books to two lucky readers who comment by midnight tonight. That is, comments must be received on that particular post. The catch is, I'm not telling you which one.

So far this week we've heard from:

• Julie Larios (Friday)
• Linda Ashman (Friday)
• Jane Yolen (Thursday)
• Ralph Fletcher (Wednesday)
• Steven Schnur (Wednesday)
• Joseph Bruchac (Tuesday)
• Janet Wong (Monday)
• J. Patrick Lewis (Sunday)
  

These interviews provide a window into the soul of some pretty talented writers, so if you're in need of a dose of inspiration, you'll find a hefty one right here. Besides, there could be a free book of poetry in it for you, and even if you don't win, I promise you won't regret it!

P.S. - If you leave me a note here about what you love most about the series so far (not who, but what!), I'll enter you in the drawing to win a copy of the book Change Up: Baseball Poems, written by Gene Fehler and illustrated by Donald Wu.

Poetry Book Giveaway - And the Winner Is ...

Using the old name-in-the-hat method, the winner of Ann Whitford Paul's All by Herself: 14 Girls Who Made a Difference is:

Carol of Carol's Corner! Congratulations!

Stay tuned to the Poetry Makers series for more great interviews and book giveaways.

Poetry Makers Book Giveaway

Since April began, four poets have been interviewed in the Poetry Makers series. If you've been reading, you'll have noticed that I'm giving away a book to some lucky reader who comments by midnight tonight. That is, you need to comment on that particular post. The catch is, I'm not telling you which one.

C'mon folks, this is great stuff (if you don't mind me saying), so take some time to find about these talented writers. There could be a free book of poetry in it for you, and even if you don't win, I promise you'll enjoy yourself anyway.

Book Giveaway - The Magician's Book, Sponsored by Book Dads

Book Dads is sponsoring a book giveaway. Three lucky winners will receive a copy of The Magician’s Book: A Skeptic’s Adventures in Narnia by Laura Miller.

Here's a description of the book.

THE MAGICIAN’S BOOK is the story of one reader’s long, tumultuous relationship with C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. Enchanted by its fantastic world as a child, prominent critic Laura Miller returns to the series as an adult to uncover the source of these small books’ mysterious power by looking at their creator, Clive Staples Lewis. What she discovers is not the familiar, idealized image of the author, but a more interesting and ambiguous truth: Lewis’s tragic and troubled childhood, his unconventional love life, and his intense but ultimately doomed friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien.

Finally reclaiming Narnia “for the rest of us,” Miller casts the Chronicles as a profoundly literary creation, and the portal to a life-long adventure in books, art, and the imagination.

The contest ends on Tuesday, November 25th. Head to their site to learn more.

P.S. - How did I learn about this blog and the giveaway? The comment challenge, my friends!

ARCs Available

My TBR pile is huge right now. There are many great looking books on it that I simply must read. Publishers have been more than generous in sending me works to review, but lately, I'm getting a lot of books that are well outside of my area of interest/expertise.

If you regularly read my blog, you know that I generally review nonfiction and poetry for young readers through middle grades. Every so often I will review picture books that have strong connections to the teaching of math, science or social studies. As a reminder of this, I have highlighted my review policy and moved it up in the sidebar to a more prominent position.

This is my way of saying that I love receiving books to review, finding outstanding works by new and seasoned authors, and sharing those finds with my readers. However, I have a bit of a guilty conscience about all the books I'm not reviewing. I know that authors work very hard to write the best books possible, and they deserve to be reviewed. Since I will never get to some of these books, I would like to send my copies to readers who would like to review them.

Here are the first two.

Need by Carrie Jones - TAKEN!
Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal.

Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison - TAKEN!
After her boyfriend dumps her for her older sister, sophomore Savannah Delano wishes she could find a true prince to take her to the prom. Enter Chrissy (Chrysanthemum) Everstar: Savannah’s gum-chewing, cell phone–carrying, high heel-wearing Fair Godmother. Showing why she’s only Fair—because she’s not a very good fairy student—Chrissy mistakenly sends Savannah back in time to the Middle Ages, first as Cinderella, then as Snow White. Finally she sends Tristan, a boy in Savannah’s class, back instead to turn him into her prom-worthy prince. When Savannah returns to the Middle Ages to save Tristan, they must team up to defeat a troll, a dragon, and the mysterious and undeniably sexy Black Knight.

These will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please send me an e-mail and let me know which book you are interested in. All books will be mailed this weekend. Good luck! (And thanks for your help.)

More ARCs to come ...