Thursday, March 7, 2019

Poetry Friday: Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller


Welcome to Poetry Friday! This week's round up is hosted by Reading To The Core Blog. The optional theme for this week's round up is International Women's Day. 

 I've been purchasing books for Aria's Easter basket, and one of those books was Remarkably You (Harper, 2019) written by Pat Zietlow Miller and Illustrated by Patrice Barton. This rhyming picture book is a celebration of individuality. It's also a call to use the gifts we've been given: 

 No matter your volume, your age, or your size,
YOU have the power to be a surprise.
You have the know-how.
You're savvy and smart.
You could change the world.
Are you willing to start?

 I absolutely adore the theme of this book, and I decided to use it as a mentor text for a poem dedicated to Aria.

 Remarkably Aria
by Kimberly M. Hutmacher

 That twinkle in your eye
Your sly mischievous giggle
The way you happy dance-
skip, stomp, twirl, and wiggle.

 The toddle of your walk
Your super unstoppable run
The way you bunny hop hop
You make life so much fun!

 Your willingness to help
every chance you get
Your gentleness and sweetness
with each and every pet.

 The firmness of your no!
The confidence of your yes!
The diligence in your play
It's hard work- not a mess!

 The way you greet new friends
with a wave and a little, "Hi!"
Welcoming each new face
Not even one bit shy.

 The clever things you think and say
The amazing things you do
Perfectly meshed together
To make you remarkably you!

 Copyright 2019

 On this International Women's Day and just shy of Aria's 2nd birthday, I want Aria to always know what an incredible gift she is to us and to the world.

 Miller ends her book with these two stanzas, and I think they are the perfect way to end this post:

 So whether you're daring or careful or kind,
embrace who you are and the way you're designed.
Dream your own dreams.
Hear your own heart.
You could change the world.
You just have to start.

 Follow your path.
Do what you love to do.
Be completely,
uniquely,
remarkably
YOU.
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33 comments:

  1. Kathryn ApelMarch 8, 2019 at 4:41 AM

    Oh yes! What a wonderful book. Just perfect for everyone - including you! I had so many images of your daughter in my mind, when reading your poem - but I especially liked your fourth verse.

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    1. Kimberly HutmacherMarch 8, 2019 at 4:53 AM

      Thank you, Kathryn! She's actually our granddaughter, but she lives with us, and we get to enjoy her everyday.

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  2. Irene LathamMarch 8, 2019 at 5:44 AM

    What a lovely gift for Aria! I love her firm nos and confident yeses especially. :)

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  3. Linda BMarch 8, 2019 at 5:50 AM

    I just got When you Are Brave by Miller, and this is another new one, too! It sounds lovely, and how great that you wrote a poem from it for your daughter, Kimberly. I love the thought of her friendly ways: "Welcoming each new face/Not even one bit shy."

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    1. Kimberly HutmacherMarch 8, 2019 at 8:58 AM

      Thank you, Linda! Aria is actually our granddaughter, but she and my daughter live with us, so we get to enjoy remarkable Aria everyday :) I'm really looking forward to reading When You Are Brave.

      Delete
  4. laurasalasMarch 8, 2019 at 6:03 AM

    Oh, your daughter is so lucky, Kimberly! What a gift to treasure. I especially love the unexpected "The way you bunny hop hop!"

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    1. Kimberly HutmacherMarch 8, 2019 at 9:01 AM

      Thank you, Laura! Aria is actually our granddaughter, but she and my daughter live with us, so we get to enjoy her everyday. She does the cutest bunny hop hop ever :)

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  5. Books4LearningMarch 8, 2019 at 1:44 PM

    Wow! I love what you shared from Remarkably You! I will check that book out. Your poem to your daughter is AMAZING! How special she will feel as she reads it throughout the years.

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  6. RuthMarch 8, 2019 at 2:30 PM

    Sounds like a wonderful book, and I know your daughter will love the poem you wrote for her!

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  7. TabathaMarch 8, 2019 at 2:36 PM

    A very loving post from top to bottom! I like "YOU have the power to be a surprise" -- we don't talk enough about this, I don't think. We can surprise even ourselves :-) Your poem for your granddaughter is one to cherish. Maybe you could put it in a card for her to open when she turns a particular age?

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    1. Kimberly HutmacherMarch 8, 2019 at 3:14 PM

      Thank you, Tabatha. I love your idea of putting the poem away in a card for her to enjoy later. And yes, if you had told me when I was 20 that I was going to be a published author in my 30s, I would've said you were crazy. Falling in love with children's books and eventually getting the opportunity to write and publish them, was a lovely surprise.

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  8. LindaMarch 8, 2019 at 3:38 PM

    What a wonderful gift for Aria! She will treasure your poem forever! Also, I can't wait to get REMARKABLY YOU.

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  9. Michelle KoganMarch 8, 2019 at 4:29 PM

    Thanks for sharing "Remarkably You" I like the strong affirmations it offers–and you carry this same theme into the beautiful poem your gifting to your granddaughter-what a special gift!

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    1. Kimberly HutmacherMarch 8, 2019 at 5:14 PM

      Thank you, Michelle! And, yes I agree. REMARKABLY YOU affirms and celebrates differences and individual gifts and encourages us to celebrate who we are and to not be afraid to use the gifts we have. It's just lovely.

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  10. RamonaMarch 8, 2019 at 4:41 PM

    Love the poem you wrote for sweet Aria. And thanks for sharing this book, a new one for me.

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  11. Linda MitchellMarch 8, 2019 at 6:00 PM

    Oh, my goodness...what an incredible gift to have a Grandma write such a poem. I can only imagine a generation of kids that had poems from Grandma's like this. I adore the line, 'the firmness of your no'. It IS important...and part of strong women. I just loved every bit of this post. I think you've honored the text of Remarkably You in an outstanding way.

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    1. Kimberly HutmacherMarch 9, 2019 at 4:29 AM

      Thank you, Linda! The book is one of the best I've read from this new season, and Aria is an abundance of inspiration :)

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  12. Matt Forrest EsenwineMarch 8, 2019 at 7:00 PM

    As she gets older, I'm sure your granddaughter will cherish this! Thanks for sharing, Kimberly.

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  13. Catherine FlynnMarch 9, 2019 at 2:19 AM

    Your poem is beautiful and will be a treasure for your sweet granddaughter. I have a brand new niece and think Remarkably You will be a perfect welcome to the world gift for her. Thank you for introducing me to Miller's book!

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    1. Kimberly HutmacherMarch 9, 2019 at 4:30 AM

      Thank you, Catherine, and I'm sure this book would be a lovely keepsake for your new niece.

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  14. Mary LeeMarch 9, 2019 at 4:28 AM

    What a wonderful gift! You can't start too early raising up the strong women of the future!

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  15. jamaMarch 10, 2019 at 3:40 PM

    Love your poem for Aria. I could really imagine her adorableness from all your details. Thanks for spotlighting Remarkably You. Looking forward to seeing it!

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  16. Kimberly HutmacherMarch 10, 2019 at 4:56 PM

    Thank you, jama.

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  17. Heidi MordhorstMarch 12, 2019 at 7:29 AM

    Chant for the little leaders among us! Thanks for highlighting this book.

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    1. Kimberly HutmacherMarch 12, 2019 at 4:28 PM

      I agree, Heidi! Thank you for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

      Delete
  18. author amokMarch 14, 2019 at 12:37 PM

    What a sweet gift for your sweetie! And to pair the book with an original poem is extra special.

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