National Poetry Month

I hope you've been celebrating NATIONAL POETRY MONTH. Even though we're more than halfway through the month, it's not too late to start. Click on the link above, and you'll find lots of ideas. A really simple and wonderful idea is to write a poem each day.

If you're a teacher, this link offers ideas on ways to use poetry with your students. If you're a student, you could try to finish the Limerick or create a special poem of your own. Want to read some poems? Check out these classic children's poems. For some silly poems, check out Giggle Poetry--or a collection of Shel Silverstein poems like WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS.

What is your favorite poem?

Zig and Wikki

I happened to be in New York last week and was able to pop into the Strand Bookstore to hear author, Nadja Spiegelman, and illustrator, Trade Loeffler, read their new graphic novel for beginning readers--Zig and Wikki in Something Ate My Homework. Ms. Spiegelman and Mr. Loeffler each took one of the book's characters and brought the story to life for a small group of listeners on the bookstore's second floor--in, of course, the Children's Department.

The three chapter book contains a lively and humorous story, combined with a bit of nonfiction information on four earth animals encountered by the space-traveling duo. The illustrations are bright and entertaining. The story is told in easy reader vocabulary. Combine the two and PRESTO! You've a fun read for 4-8 year-olds.

Check out this title and other TOON books for more graphic novel adventures.