Poetry Friday: Take Two: A Celebration of Twins

I’m happy to be sharing Take Two! A Celebration of Twins, a brand new poetry collection by two of our most beloved and prolific poets, J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen. I know those two names alone will make you want to order this book right away!

The collection is divided into sections: “Twins in the Waiting Womb,” “Twinfants,” How to Be One,” and “Famous Twins.” All forty-four poems are just delightful! Topics range from twins in waiting, to learning and growing together, to seeking individuality. The illustrations by Sophie Blackall (of Ivy & Bean fame) are sure to entice even the most reluctant readers. I also love the facts about twins sprinkled throughout the book!

I asked Pat a few questions about the collection, and he was so kind  (as always) to respond quickly so I could post this today. (Thanks, Pat.) I think you’ll enjoy his responses.

1. You've written several poetry collections with other poets including: Jane Yolen, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, and Paul Janeczko. How is the process of co-authoring a poetry collection different from writing solo? What are the joys and challenges of working on a project with another poet?

Collaboration is probably the wrong word to use (though I use it all the time) because the process does not involve two people slaving back and forth over the same poem.Think of these co-authored books as just that: a collection of individual poems, half written by one poet, and the second half by the other poet.

2. Which of the poems you wrote for the collection is your favorite?

Well, I am a twin (the gods be thanked) so one of my favorites in the book would have to be "Pat and Mike," even though I've played fast and loose with my twin's and my respective facts. The longer poems about Cynthia and her sister getting baths isn't bad, I think. And I do like the villanelle about the two young twins who teach each other everything.
3. You've mentioned that your brother is your first reader. Did he offer any advice/suggestions for this collection?
Oh, I pass everything I write along to him first to see what his reaction will be. Since I value his judgement more than anyone else's, I'm eager to get his take on my work. If he says it's fine, then I'm happy. If he says it needs more work, then I get back to work on the poem.

Now, without further delay, I'll share one of the poems Pat wrote that is one of his favorites (but not "Pat and Mike," I'll  keep that one a surprise for you to discover when you get your copy of the book). 

We Learned to Sing

We learned the alphabet; we learned to sing
Because my twin had called it "double-play."
We taught each other almost everything.

I showed her how to push me in the swing.
She's smart. She learned it quickly, the same way
We learned the alphabet and learned to sing.

And entertain with puppets on a string.
Our mom and dad came for the matinee!
We taught each other almost everything.

Remember how it stung— that first bee sting?
But there she was, and it was like the day
We learned the alphabet and learned to sing.

If she was some bright bird, I was the wing.
If I was like a model, she was clay.
We taught each other almost everything.

From summer, autumn, winter into spring.
and after kindergarten we would say
The alphabet together and we'd sing.

This poem has its own familiar ring—
Two twins who stick together come what may.
We learned the alphabet and learned to sing.
We taught each other almost everything.

           -J Patrick Lewis. all rights reserved

Isn't that lovely?  I especially like the lines:
If she was some bright bird, I was the wing.
If I was like a model, she was clay.

Jane was also very kind to respond in time for me to include her favorite among the poems she wrote for the collection.  Check out the clever wordplay.  I can't wait to try this as a choral reading activity with my sixth grade group. I think I'll divde the class into two groups and have them alternate reading a line at a time. What do you think, would that work?

Twinfestation

Some time we twincubate in Mom,
   For not quite a year;
The twindow opens up for us,
   We twinstantly appear.

Not yet quite twindividuals,
   So twinsomely we smile
With winning twincandescence,
   They let us stay awhile.

And soon, from spring to twinter,
   We've lived with them so long,
This small twinfestation
   No longer seems so wrong.

-Jane Yolen, all rights reserved

Wow! Jane's poetry is always amazing, inspiring, and surprising!  Can't you just imagine kids making up their own "twin" words after reading this poem? 

 No matter if you're a twin or a singleton, I know you'll enjoy reading Take Two! A Celebration of Twins.

Tugg and Teeny: Book Two

Not long ago, I shared with you a new series for early readers written by Poet Laureate, J Patrick Lewis.  I'm happy to announce that Tugg and Teeny Book Two: Jungle Surprises is now available. Once again these two loveable characters take us on a reading adventure full of surprises.  Like Book One, Jungle Surprises is a collection of three stories.  I particularly like the first story "A Great Gusting Mystery" because it will inspire young writers to write their own mystery stories.  Students will love the surprise ending in "The Zig-Zag Race," and delight in going "Wind-Fishing" with Tugg and Teeny's friend Violet. Older students could go on a scavenger hunt to search for examples of alliteration, repetition, personification, and onomatopeia.  There are other teaching ideas and activities on the publisher's  website here and here.  I can't wait to see what Tugg and Teeny will be up to in Book Three!

Poetry Friday: Tugg and Teeny

As a teacher, I'm always looking for books that will excite and motivate young readers.  I'm especailly looking for books that will interest boys.  I'm happy to share a fantastic new book with you that readers of all ages are going to love.  Tugg and Teeny, Sleeping Bear Press,  is a new beginning reader written by one of our favorite poets, J. Patrick Lewis.  Tugg, a gorilla, and Teeny, a monkey, are two lovable characters who, along with their friends,  live in the jungle and help each other through life's challenges.

In this first of the three book series, Teeny strives to achieve his dreams. He tackles a different goal (becoming a musician, an artist, a poet) in each of three chapters. No matter what he decides to try,   his best friend, Tugg, is always by his side to lend a hand or offer advice.

I especially love the way Teeny takes risks and tries new things. I think this sends an important message to kids that it's okay to step out of their comfort zone, and try something new. Even though Teeny doesn't always succeed at first, with the encouragement of his friend Tugg, he continues to try. Tugg is the kind of friend we all hope for: dependable, loyal, and supportive.

Reader of all ages will enjoy the three separate stories in this early chapter book.  The brightly-colored illustrations by Chistopher Denise help bring life to these adorable characters.  (He did a fabulous job of showing their personalities.) Although the book is written with beginning readers (grades 2-3)  in mind, I think the stories will work as excellent models to teach writing skills (dialogue, point-of-view, plot, etc.) to my middle school students. 

As I mentioned above, Tugg and Teeny is part of a three-book series.  I love that because once kids are introduced to these characters, they'll be ravenous readers begging for each book that follows. The next book, Jungle Surpries, comes out May 2011. I can't wait!  Check out the  Tugg and Teeny website  for more about upcoming titles in the series and activity pages. Tugg and Teeny is sure to put a smile on your face.  If you've read it, I've love to hear ways you're using it with your students and/or your own children.  I have a feeling this series is going to be very popular!

Best Books: First Dog's White House Christmas

First Dog is back, and he is ready to celebrate Christmas. I hadn’t planned on blogging today,  but when this adorable picture book arrived on my doorstep, I had to tell you about it. This is the second First Dog book written by father-daughter team J Patrick Lewis and Beth Zappitello. It is not a collection of poems, but since one of our most beloved poets wrote it, I thought it deserved a spot on Poetry Friday.

It all starts when First Dog invites his friends from around the world to celebrate Christmas at the White House. He asks each of them to share a Christmas tradition from their country. Through the  warmth and humor of First Dog, readers learn some pretty cool facts about this special holiday. For instance, did you know that in Germany, they hang a glass pickle on the tree and the first child to find it gets an extra present? I can’t wait to hear my students’ reactions when I read them this book in December. It will fit perfectly with the essay they write about their own family traditions.

Another thing I love about this book is that readers learn about a breed of dog from each country. The descriptions of the dogs along with Tim Bowers’ gorgeous illustrations reveal each canine's personality and had me laughing out loud. Just picture this lovable character, “The visitor from Italy, the Neapolitan Mastiff, had a face that looked like a map of the Alps— without the snow.” He really is very cute.

This book was so much fun to read, I hope more First Dog books will follow. Thanks Pat and Beth for a book my grand-daughter is sure to love for years to come.

Poetry Friday: Inspired to Write

Kids love riddles and so do I. Spot the Plot written by J Patrick Lewis and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger is a collection of 13 riddle poems that every reading/language arts teacher should own. It is fantastic for teaching plot!

The recommended age group is K-4, but I never pay attention to that sort of thing. A good book works for all ages. I teach grades 6-8 . My students love humor, and they love figuring out puzzles so I knew Spot the Plot would be a hit.

On Monday, I read the first poem that begins with:

The sky shook,
the wind tossed
me in the air.
Toto-ly lost.

That’s all it took, and my 7th. graders to stretched their hands in the air hoping to be the one chosen to solve the riddle.

The bell rang before I could read anymore. Middle school kids have many important things on their minds so I thought they’d forget all about the riddles. No chance. Tuesday came, and they wanted to hear more “plot riddles.” Not one of them knew what “plot” meant before I introduced the poems

A great book inspires writers, and my middle school writers were certainly inspired. On Thursday, they came to class with their own plot riddle poems (and it wasn't even an assignment)! See if you can guess the stories.

Awaiting a kiss,
from her Prince Charming,
her three fairy friends
were trying to be alarming.

Cursed in a coma,
she had to await,
her true love’s kiss
for her to awake.

After this was done,
there was lots of laughter,
the new princess and prince,
lived Happily Ever After.

-Cara



A girl with locks of gold
was in a hungry mood.
Despite what she was told,
she went to find some food.

Then she smelled something yummy
which came from inside a home.
Food soon filled her tummy
and throughout the home she roamed.

A bed she found
and took a rest.
Then she heard a sound
and discovered she’s a guest.

Sitting downstairs
were three bears
waiting in chairs.
OH! WHAT A SCARE!

-Ryan


They know what plot means now thanks to Spot the Plot.


Tricia wrote a wonderful review and shared some of the poems from the Spot the Plot on her blog, The Miss Rumphius Effect. Be sure to check it out here.

Poetry Friday: COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER

With only two weeks before school starts, there's so much to do to get ready! I'm always looking for time savers, and I just found a great one in J Patrick Lewis' new collection, COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER: A Poem for Every Day of the School Year. It is an excellent choice for teachers who want to bring more poetry into their classroom.

My first thought was that this would be a wonderful gift for new teachers who don't yet have files of resources. What a fun way to encourage them to share daily poems with their students!

But new teachers shouldn't have all the fun. This collection is an excellent resource for all teachers. The poems in COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER are perfect for daily warm-ups. Kids will love watching the days decrease with each daily poem.

The 180 poems are short and contain lots of teaching points. For example poem 172 begins:

Eid ul-Fitr

The new moon is rising.
Ramadan has passed,
Holiest of holy months
When true believers fast.

Gathering at the mosque,
Borne on wings of prayer,
Quitting fast to feast,
A festival affair

I teach in a school where many religions and cultures are represented. Wouldn’t this poem make a great discussion starter or writing prompt for students to share some of their own customs and traditions? In addition, kids are learning about a culture they probably aren’t very familiar with. Other poems about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, Easter, St. Patrick, etc., will also provide students with cultural mini-lessons.

Another time-saving feature of the collection is the poems are written in many different forms: concrete poems, epitaphs, quatrains, acrostics, riddles, limericks, haikus, and even an abecedarian. I teach many of these forms so I’m always looking for examples kids will understand and relate to. For example, I think poem 175, “Reading Harry Potter Under the Sheets” is perfect teaching quatrains and rhyme scheme. The first three stanzas:

I’m quarter-past Chapter One
Of the last of Harry’s feats.
This flashlight’s my midnight sun.
I burrow under the sheets.

Book Seven’s supposed to be
The last of the Rowling run.
Gazillions can’t wait to see
Who’s defeated and who’s won.

Will Voldemort get his due?
Will Ron or Hermione die?
Or Hagrid? Is Hagrid through?
Now who will it be and why?

This poem will definitely get my middle school students’ attention!


An abecedarian isn’t a form I’ve taught in the past, but with this example, I think my students would be able to write one of their own. Poem 174 begins:

The Librarian

After school one day I was talking to Mr.
Butterwinkle, the school librarian.
“Can you
Define ABECEDARIAN?”
“Easy,” he said. “But
First I think you should
Go to the Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, and…


Note: (You can read more abecedarian poems from a Miss Rumphius’ poetry challenge here.)


J Patrick Lewis has provided busy teachers with a time-saving resource. Like the poems, the illustrations by Ethan Long are lively and fun. I can’t wait to share COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER with my students. This collection will be a delightful addition to any classroom and especially enjoyed by children in grades 3 and up.

Poetry Friday: Classroom Connection

I read so many wonderful reviews of J Patrick Lewis’ new book, The Underwear Salesman: And Other Jobs for Better or Verse I couldn’t wait to read it, and of course I loved it! As I read, the poems seemed perfect for teaching two very difficult literary elements, tone and mood. My middle school students frequently get them confused and have a hard time understanding the difference in the two so I try to review them several times each school year.

The poems in The Underwear Salesman work great because they’re short, fun to read, and each poem has a personality of its own. Middle school students love to role play so the unusual careers in the collection such as: “Bathroom Attendant” and “Cuckoo-Clock Repairman” gave them lots of room to get into character.

Here's what I did:

First, I modeled by reading the poem “Librarian” using a very uppity boastful tone of voice.

Librarian
No one has more fun than I!
I’ve met Harriet the Spy,
Ferdinand the Bull, and Pooh.
(Eeyore says, “How do you do?”)

You can read the rest of the poem here: Poetry for Children.

After the laughter stopped, students identified the tone I used, and then they identified the mood they felt as they listened to the poem.

Next, pairs of students selected a poem from The Underwear Salesman and wrote it down in their journal. I gave each pair an index card with a “secret” tone word on it. After practicing reading their poem using the assigned tone, they read their poem aloud to the class.

I divided the class in half. One group focused on tone, the other focused on mood. Using a resource list of tone and mood words, the groups identified the tone and mood of the poem. When students began pointing out that someone speaking in a boastful tone could make listeners feel hurt or angry, I knew they got it!

We had a lot of fun with this lesson. Next time, I think I’ll try having students read the poem then choose the tone they think the person who does that job might use instead of assigning a tone.

If you’re looking for a fun way to teach tone and mood, give The Underwear Salesman a try!

Want to know more about J Patrick Lewis?
Read an interview with him over at The Miss Rumphius Effect.

Check out J Patrick Lewis' website here.

J Patrick Lewis

It's been almost twenty years since I bought a book of poetry by J Patrick Lewis called, Earth Verses and Water Rhymes. My students loved those poems. It instantly became one of the most popular books to read during D.E.A.R. time. I bought a second copy so that I'd have one for my personal collection.

Over the years I've added many of J Patrick Lewis' books to my collection including his latest, which I absolutely love, Birds on a Wire: A Renga 'Round Town written with the great Paul Janeczko.





You can imagine my excitement when I received an email from J Patrick Lewis! J Patrick Lewis! Wow!


The first thing I did was to print out that email for my memory book!



When I told Pat (I'm not sure I should be referring to someone so esteemed by his first name.) that my students are currently studying narrative poetry, he generously offered me one of his wonderful poems to share with my students and on my blog. The poem has appeared in several anthologies. After reading it, you'll see why it's been so popular.


Stories


Circling by the fire,
My dog, my rough champion,
Coaxes winter out of her fur.
She hears old stories
Leaping in the flames:
The hissing names of cats,
Neighbors' dogs snapping
Like these gone logs,
The cracking of ice . . .
Once, romping through the park,
We dared the creaking pond.
It took the dare and half
Of me into the dark below.
She never let go.

We watch orange tongues
Wagging in the fire
Hush to blue whispers.
Her tail buffs my shoe.
She has one winter left.

Maybe two.







If haven't visitied J Patrick Lewis' website, http://www.jpatricklewis.com/ , you really should take a look at the terrific resources for kids, teachers and writers.