And the Winner Is.......

The winner of a copy of SPIN A CIRCLE by Raven Hoowell and Ann Pilicer is Christie Wyman! Congratulations, Christie! Email me your mailing address, and I will get a copy of this book in the mail to you ASAP!

Poetry Friday: Let's Celebrate SPIN A CIRCLE with a Book Review and Giveaway

 Welcome back, friends! It's been a whirlwind. I haven't been checking in regularly because I started a new job with Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. The job is fulfilling, but it's also been a lot of hard work and training. I'm thrilled to be back this week to celebrate a new book written by Raven Howell and illustrated by Ann Pilicer. Please help me celebrate, SPIN A CIRCLE.

SPIN A CIRCLE

Written by Raven Howell

Illustrated by Ann Pilicer

Published by MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing, Inc.

ISBN 9781649720548

What a delight! Each poem in this collection celebrates the activity, creativity, and imagination of preschoolers and elementary age children. From an exuberant teeter-totter ride to a colorful adventure in finger painting to a lovely lullaby and so much more in between, Raven Howell captures the simple, yet oh so special moments that make up childhood. Raven’s beautiful verse shines through Ann Pilicer’s lively illustrations. They make an unbeatable combination!

You wouldn’t think the book could be any more special until you learn that it was designed with a dyslexic font. This font makes letters easier to identify and allows children with dyslexia to read with less effort and frustration. As the parent of a child with dyslexia, I would have loved to have had books designed with this font when my child was struggling mightily to make sense of letters and words and how they came together to form sentences and paragraphs. This book should be a staple on every school, library, and home bookshelf. SPIN A CIRCLE was an absolute joy to read and experience.

Here are a few of my favorites:

My thanks to Raven Howell and MacLaren-Cochrane for gifting me with an extra copy of the book that I am happily going to gift to one of my readers. Just comment below for your chance to enter to win. The computer will randomly select a winner on Friday, April 24^th.

Thank you for stopping by and helping me celebrate this wonderful new collection. The Poetry Friday Round Up is hosted this week by Jama Rattigan and her beautiful Jama's Alphabet Soup blog. Be sure to click over to enjoy all of this week’s poetry goodness.

Poetry Friday: Hope and Connection

Welcome to Poetry Friday. This week's round up is hosted by Sylvia at Poetry For Children. 

I'm at a loss for words when it comes to what happened at the U.S. Capitol this week. I think most of us had hoped that the turning of the calendar page would bring unification, peace, kindness and decency. What we saw on Wednesday in D.C. was absolutely the ugliest and worst of America. 

With that said, I still see glimmers of hope. Many of you are part of the New Year's postcard exchange, and you have or will receive this in the mail, but I wanted to share it with our community.

Connection, longing

Watching the great conjunction

Universal hope

Copyright 2020 Kimberly M. Hutmacher

I received a few goodies in the mail as well.

Linda Mitchell sent this beautiful bookmark.

And Jone Rush Macculloch sent this lovely postcard.

Thank you for delivering poetry goodness to my mailbox. It nourishes me. 

Poetry Friday: Winter Is Coming

Poetry friends, I'm feeling frightened, exhausted, and defeated by the pandemic. I live in central Illinois, where we've set new case records everyday for the last three days at 12,000 plus cases per day. Our specific metropolitan has the 11th highest case count in the nation. My daughter is a Covid ICU nurse who has to deal with the horrific reality of this situation every single day. Our governor has begged us to wear masks, social distance, and not gather in large groups. He's trying like hell to keep our economy open. So many people ignore his pleas. These people claim to be liberty loving Americans- liberty loving Americans who refuse to do the most patriotic thing they could do- follow the few simple steps that have proven to lower case counts and save lives. Our healthcare system is overwhelmed, and because of that, we've been warned that if things do not begin to turn around in the next few days, we will be under a state mandated shutdown again. I hate this for our local businesses (especially during this time of the year), but I also absolutely see the necessity to do it. It just saddens me to no end that so many people won't do what they can to protect their fellow Americans.

Covid cases rise

Hospital beds dwindle

Winter is coming

And now for some hope....

Scientists working

Clinical trial success 

Vaccine on the way

This week's Poetry Friday round up is hosted by Robyn at Life On The Deckle Edge Blog. Be sure to click over to savor all of this week's poetry goodness.

Poetry Friday: Please Vote

I voted early in-person at our county building a few weeks ago. They did temperature checks at the door, masks were required, and there was plenty of room to safely social distance. I've never been in such a hurry to cast a ballot in my life! I seriously shook as I filled it out. I felt the enormity of what I was doing. I prayed that, unlike four years ago, my candidate would prevail. I also prayed that somehow, our country could begin healing. If you haven't already voted in-person or mailed in a ballot, I beg of you to vote. Please do not sit this out. Please make your voice heard. Please.

Four long painful years

The wait is finally over

How will it turn out?

Biting nails, pacing,

Belly full of butterflies

Election night wait.

They say he'll win big

They said the same about her

This time, please be right.

This week's Poetry Friday host is Linda at Teacher Dance blog. Be sure to click over to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness.

Potry Friday: Apple Haiku

Welcome to Poetry Friday! As I was mulling over what I might post this week, my granddaughter showed me her apple and exclaimed, "Look! It has polka-dots!" Well, of course that line provided this week's inspiration.

Rosy red ripened 

Deliciously tasty tart 

Autumn polka-dots

This week's round up is hosted by Jama Rattigan at Jama's Alphabet Soup blog. Be sure to click over to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness.

Poetry Friday: Fall Haiku

Hello my poetry friends! Welcome to Poetry Friday. We've had lots of wind loosening leaves from our trees, and that is what inspired this week's haiku.

Autumn winds whipping

Leaves billowing, blanketing

Snuggling cold ground

Autumn winds whipping

Balding trees loosing their coats 

Branches shivering

This week's round up is hosted by Janice at Salt City Verse. Be sure to stop by to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness.

Poetry Friday: Hello Again, Porch Haiku, and Poetry Fest

Hello again, poetry friends. Welcome to Poetry Friday. It's been a while. Covid has taken away so much, and for many months, it also took away my desire to write anything. But, I'm determined to dip my feather back into the inkwell (or tap a few keys on the keyboard) and get back at it.

The above photo is of my front porch. I love fall! I wish the entire year could be fall! The small pumpkins and gourds came from our garden, and we purchased the flowers and sign from our local Farmer's Market. Here's my little front porch fall haiku. 

Popping from planters

Mums Marigolds in full bloom

Happy Fall Y'all!

This week I want to share something else writing-related that is bringing me joy. My vlog partner, Heidi Bee Roemer, is hosting Poetry Fest. What is Poetry Fest you ask? For the entire month of October, Heidi is posting one STEM/STEAM poem everyday on social media. Heidi wanted to use this opportunity to promote other authors and their newest books as well. To that end, she is pairing each of those poems with a nonfiction book on the same topic. You can follow Heidi's Poetry Fest on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SteamPoweredPoetryVideosForKthrough8   and https://www.facebook.com/heidi.roemer.90 . You can also follow along on twitter at https://twitter.com/poetweet4 and https://twitter.com/steampoweredpo1 .

Thank you for stopping by. I've missed you all!

Wee Words For Wee Ones Blog is hosting this week's round up. Be sure to click over to savor all of this week's poetry goodness.

Poetry Friday: Spring Welcome

Hello, dear poetry friends, and welcome to Poetry Friday. This week's round up is hosted by Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone. 

I've thought of you often and read many of your posts over the last month. Unfortunately, I've struggled mightily to create my own poetry these last several weeks. With everything going on, I can't seem to find the right few words in the right order. I am writing in my journal. It's helping me to process my feelings and deal with this very new world we're living in. 

We have a robin nesting in the corner of our front porch. So, today I'm sharing the poem, Spring Welcome, from Deborah Rudell's collection, A WHIFF OF PINE, A HINT OF SKUNK: A FOREST OF POEMS.

SPRING WELCOME

A million arms in woody sleeves

wave a zillion brand-new leaves,

inviting wrens to be their guests,

the orioles to build their nests,

and calling all the chickadees

to stay and raise their families.

Deborah's book introduces several forest animals and their happenings throughout the four seasons. The poems are beautifully crafted and paired with Joan Rankin's whimsical illustrations. 

I know some parts of the country are still seeing a bit of snow, but hopefully, we'll all be enjoying beautiful spring weather soon! Thanks for stopping by. 

Poetry Friday: Time Change

Welcome to Poetry Friday! This week's round up is hosted by Rebecca at Sloth Reads blog. Be sure to click over to read all of this week's poetry goodness.

Saturday evening, before most of us climb into bed, we'll be springing our clocks forward. Yes, this means more daylight, but as for Sunday morning, it will mean less sleep. This dilemma inspired this week's poem.

Time Change

Time to spring
ahead one hour.
But when I wake,
I'll feel quite sour.

Thou there's more light
when the clock leaps,
I really just want 
more time to sleep!

Copyright March 5, 2019 Kimberly M. Hutmacher

Speaking of clocks, we have a new vlog on the topic of clocks and calendars posted over at STEAM Powered Poetry. Be sure to check it out.

For those of you who subscribe, the Poetry Friday article so many of you graciously helped with, is in this month's issue of Children's Book Insider. In the article side bar, I linked to the blogs of everyone who offered contributions. My eternal gratitude and thanks to all of you.

Poetry Friday: Mailbox Goodies and Thank you

Welcome to Poetry Friday! Linda is hosting this week's round up. Click over to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness. Well, I meant this post to be for last week, but then I forgot to link up. So, on this Valentine's Day, I share some more mailbox love and gratitude.


From Robert

Diane

...Robyn

Thank you for brightening these cold, dank, dreary days with the beauty and hope of your poetry. Every word is a treasure.

I also want to thank each and every one of you who answered questions and contributed to my Poetry Friday article for Children's Book Insider. Because of word count restrictions, I wasn't able to use every quote from every contributor, but our community was very well represented. The article includes a side bar with links to all contributor's blogs. For those of you that subscribe, the article will run in the March issue. 

I'm in the midst of another wfh book series with a tight deadline. I may not be able to post for the rest of February, but I will try to visit your blogs as much as possible, and I plan to be back in March. 

Poetry Friday: Blown Engines, Postcards, and Gratitude

Welcome to Poetry Friday! This week's round up is hosted by Sally Murphy. Sally shares an opportunity for us to help with  the fire relief effort in Australia via the #authorsforfireys auction happening on Twitter. She also shares what she's been reading. Click over to read her post and to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness.

Revvv...Click...Spit...Sputter

Knocking...Knocking...nothing left

Engine end of life

Ugh! Yes, unfortunately, we had to begin the new year with an unexpected new car expense. As yucky as that is, I'm grateful my husband was close to home and not stranded in the middle of nowhere when things went south. We live in the country, and hubby is famous for not carrying his phone. I'm also grateful that we were in the financial position to be able to buy a replacement. Last but not least, I'm grateful for the sunshine that arrived in mailbox this week in the form of postcards from Poetry Friday friends. Linda and Irene, thank you for the lovely words and pictures you shared. They were a huge bright spot in my week!

Now I need to ask for your help. I'm writing an article about Poetry Fridays and our little community for Children's Book Insider. I've been around for a few years, but I don't really know who originally spearheaded it and how it got started. Would any of you be willing to share some Poetry Friday history with me? Also, I would love to hear any little personal anecdotes from your time in the community (connections, friendships, growth, opportunity). If you would like to contribute, please email me at kimberlyhutmacher at gmail dot com. I'm looking forward to chatting with you and celebrating our poetry family.

One last thing! Submissions for this year's poetry video contest at STEAM Powered Poetry are opening soon. If you know of anyone you think might be interested, please feel free to pass along the contest info. Thank you!

Poetry Friday: H is For Haiku

Welcome to Poetry Friday! This week's round up is hosted by Elizabeth Steinglass. When you've finished here, be sure to click over to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness.

This week, I had the pleasure of reading H is For Haiku: A Treasury of Haiku from A to Z by Sydell Rosenberg. Though Sydell Rosenberg is no longer with us, her daughter, Amy Losak, gathered Ms. Rosenberg's poems into an anthology. The anthology was published by Penny Candy Books in 2018, and lucky for us, Ms. Rosenberg's work lives on for all of us to read and enjoy.

This book introduces young readers to the Japanese form of poetry, haiku. It includes helpful notes by both the author and her daughter. The author had an eye for seeing the poetry in everyday experiences. Her work encourages readers to slow down and pay attention to the world around them. This anthology is a lovely introduction to haiku and a superb addition to any poetry bookshelf. Below, are a few of my favorite moments that Ms. Rosenberg's words and Ms. Chalabi's illustrations captured so beautifully.

Holding umbrellas
Children like rows of mushrooms
Glisten in the rain


Neon wings of moth
Exploding into headlights
On a country road


See what I mean? Those little/big moments are captured so vividly.

Hi For Haiku: A Treasury of Haiku From A to Z
Written by Sydell Rosenberg
Illustrated by Sawsan Chalabi
Published by Penny Candy Books
40 Pages
ISBN: 0998799971

In other news this week, I contributed a writing workout to the Teaching Author's blog.
Also, in STEAM Powered Poetry news, Heidi and I are looking for a high school senior or college class that would be willing to create 1-minute videos for our poetry vlog. Cash prizes are awarded for the best, and all videos of good quality will be published. If you teach a high school or college class and think you might want to participate, please email me at kimberlyhutmacher at gmail dot com as soon as possible. This would be a great class project leading up to National Poetry Month, and we would love to work with your group.

Poetry Friday: Today's Little Ditty 2017-2018

Welcome to Poetry Friday. This week's round up is hosted by Rebecca Herzog at Sloth Reads blog. Be sure to click over to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness.

Look at what came in the mail this week!

I'm so excited to have a print copy of this anthology co-created by our little community. Michelle Heidenrich Barnes hosts these monthly challenges, blog guests issue the individual challenges, and we accept the challenges and contribute. Michelle assembles a group of judges who carefully read and consider every poem. It was an honor and a pleasure for me to help choose the included poems this year (though I must say several tough decisions had to be made along the way). Michelle organizes final choices and puts them into book form. Michelle's daughter creates a beautiful cover. And voila! A treasured keepsake is born. 

Michelle dedicated this anthology to the memory of Lee Bennett Hopkins, "with utmost gratitude for his guiding light."
Today, in honor of Lee and Michelle, I share this poem from the book:

Don't Ask a Hopkinsaurus
for Lee Bennett Hopkins
by Michelle Heidenrich Barnes

The L.B. Hopkinsaurus
is a rare and noble breed--
a prince among the wordivores,
he always takes the lead.

At feasting "dino"ccasions
when poetry is served,
his taste for inky gobbling
is robust and unreserved.

He might appear well-mannered
but once he's on a roll,
he holds the Guiness record
for collections swallowed whole!

The L.B. Hopkinsaurus
wears a venerable crown.
Don't ask him to retire,
or even to slow down.

This Energizer Dino
with his charismatic roar
says when it comes to Poetry,
we all should eat much more!

Thank you, Lee! Thank you, Michelle! Thank you, Poetry Friday community! If you don't already have a copy, treat yourself. This book is a gem!

 

Poetry Friday: Dear Poet

Welcome to Poetry Friday! This week's round up is hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem blog. Be sure to click over to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness. 

A few weeks ago, Jama introduced us to Charles Ghigna's new book, Dear Poet: Notes To A Young Writer. After reading Jama's post, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the book. I quickly ordered it. It arrived this week, and this book did not disappoint!

Through a series of poetic reflections, Charles shares a bounty of crafty wisdom, inspiration, and thoughts about what exactly poetry is. The book is short. The first time I read it, it took me all of 10 minutes, but you will want to read this book over and over and over again. And don't let the title fool you. It's my only complaint about the book. It's not just for young writers. Every poetry lover will resonate with and learn from this tiny but powerful treasure of a book. 

And now I'll share a few of the treasures with you.

VIII.
by Charles Ghigna

Style is not
how you
write.

It is how
you do not
write

like 
anyone
else.

XXIII.
by Charles Ghigna

A poem
is a whisper, a shout,
thoughts turned inside out.

A poem
is a laugh, a sigh,
an echo passing by.

A poem
is a rhythm, a rhyme,
a moment caught in time.

A poem
is a moon, a star,
a glimpse of who you are.

I really couldn't pick favorites. Every page is just as good as the last. This book would make a great stocking stuffer for your favorite poetry lover.

Over at STEAM POWERED POETRY, we've added new videos, and we're giving away a copy of Laura Purdie Salas's new book, SNACK, SNOOZE, SKEDADDLE: HOW ANIMALS GET READY FOR WINTER. Click over and scroll down to enter for your chance to win!

Poetry Friday: Walnut Tree

Welcome to Poetry Friday. Laura Purdie Salas shared this for her Thursday 15 words of less poetry challenge. Laura's photo got the ball rolling, but I found myself thinking more and more about the walnut tree and its tendency to lose its leaves in early autumn. We've had a few nights that have dipped below the freezing mark, and I can't help but feel for the almost naked tree. 

Walnut in Autumn
by Kimberly M. Hutmacher

Tree arms shiver
Naked of their shrug
Reaching, stretching, pleading,
for a hearty warm-up hug.

Copyright October 2019

We are giving away a copy of Patricia Toht's Pick A Pumpkin over at STEAM Powered Poetry this week. Be sure to click over and scroll down to enter to win.

This week's round up is hosted by Karen Edmiston. You'll want to head over and enjoy all of this week's bounty of poetry goodness.

Poetry Friday: It Feels Like Fall

Welcome to Poetry Friday! The leaves are turning vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and red. The air is crisper, and as you can see from the photo above, my porch is bursting with cororful blooming mums and an array of pumpkins. It feels like fall y'all, and it is my absolute favorite time of the year!

This week I'm sharing a few autumn-themed poems from my friend and vlog partner, Heidi Bee Roemer's collection COME TO MY PARTY AND OTHER SHAPE POEMS (Henry Holt 2004). 

Dancing Leaves

Crimson and coral and yellow as butter--

We reach up to snatch waltzing leaves as they flutter.

Hip, hip, hooray for fall's festive confetti!

Let's-- Heap the leaves up and jump!

Are you ready?

Pumpkins for Sale

Rumple dimple dumplin' pumpkin patch!

Buy a perfect pumpkin- mix and match.

Riddle diddle rumpkin pumpkin spree.

Pick one you can carry...

and your pumpkin is free!

I believe this was Heidi's first published trade book. It is full of delightful poems for all seasons, and it's one that has lasted the test of time. It was a favorite of my children, and now my granddaughter is enjoying it, too!

Catherine Flynn at Reading to the Core blog is hosting this week's round up. Click over to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness.

Poetry Friday: Hot Air Balloons

I had this post ready for last Friday, and then we lost our internet for four days. Technology is wonderful- when it works! Thankfully, a tech had us up and running again by the end of the weekend. So, we're back in business.

Welcome to Poetry Friday! This week's round up is hosted by Carol at Beyond Literacy Link. Be sure to click over to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness.

We have an annual hot air balloon festival in our region every fall. Images of festivals past inspired this week's poem.

Balloon Magic

Zigzags, checks, and polkadots,

Rainbows flickering across the sky.

Dancing with clouds, kissing sun,

Bouquets of happy- summer's last sigh.

Copyright 2019 Kimberly M. Hutmacher

We've been giving away books galore over at STEAM Powered Poetry. Click over and scroll down to enter to win this week's giveaway, GIVE ME BACK MY BONES written by Kim Norman. And Congrats to Angel and Cassandra who each won a copy of my picture book, PAWS, CLAWS, HANDS, AND FEET.

Poetry Friday: What Kinds of Seeds Are These? Giveaway

Welcome to Poetry Friday! This week's round up is hosted by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong at the Poetry For Children Blog. Be sure to click over to enjoy all of this week's poetry goodness!

I've spent the last month completing three books in a series for a nonfiction publisher. It's been fast, educational, and fun, and I'll share more on that when I can. I've tried to read as many of your posts as I could, but I have missed posting myself, and I have missed all of you!

Over at STEAM Powered Poetry, we are hosting several book giveaways in the month of September. The first book to go to a lucky entrant is, WHAT KIND OF SEEDS ARE THESE? written by my vlog partner, Heidi Bee Roemer. 

Through rhyming text and clues, Heidi introduces nine different seeds. Her language is positively delicious- angel-winged maple seeds and hitchhiking burdock burrs are just a few examples. The riddle form works perfectly! Heidi provides several activities at the end of the book to keep the fun and learning rolling along.

Here are the giveaway details:
Enter for a chance to win WHAT KINDS OF SEEDS ARE THESE? at www.steampoweredpoetry.com (home page) to enter on Rafflecopter. Share our link to the giveaway on Twitter or follow us @steampoweredpo1. Tweet once per day for extra entries! ENDS Sat. 9/7/18. Thank you for your friendship and support! (U.S. entries only, please.)

If you happen to read this post after the deadline for this giveaway, no worries. Once this giveaway closes, the next giveaway will immediately begin.

Have a great week!

Lee Bennett Hopkins: Good Books, Good Times

Welcome to Poetry Friday. This week's round up is hosted by  Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone. Please click over to savor all of this week's poetry goodness.

I had originally planned something else for today's post, but then I heard that the world lost Lee, and everything else seemed less. I never had the pleasure of meeting Lee in person. We conversed a bit on social media, but mostly I was just a huge fan. Today's post is for celebrating the life and work of the greatest poet I've ever known. Lee's talent was immeasurable and his prolific work seems boundless. How lucky are we to have such an incredible legacy of expertly weaved words and wisdom. Today, I simply share one of my favorites that seems oh so perfect. He put so much GOOD into this world. 

Good Books, Good Times

by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Good books.

Good times.

Good stories.

Good rhymes.

Good beginnings.

Good ends.

Good people.

Good friends.

Good fiction.

Good facts.

Good adventures.

Good acts.

Good stories.

Good rhymes.

Good books.

Good times.