It’s early here and I am sipping my morning coffee out of my new Boston mug, bringing me right back to all the fun I had in Bean Town. Huge thanks to Anne Occhipinti for bringing me to the Eliot School and to Eda Matchak and Jodi Doyle for working together on all logistics and to principal Traci Walker Griffith for embracing my visit. Wow! What a great place to learn and to grow. On Monday, April 6th, I started with grades K1, K2, 1 and 2. This group included my cousin, Chiara and all her friends. I was so excited to meet them all and what great listeners they were. They shouted the word zucchini at the top of their lungs (and whispered it very softly too, I might add), and had fun listening to my poetry and learning about parsnips and acorn squash too. And then, together this group wrote a wonderful poem I will share with you right here:
I Don’t Know by K1, K2, 1 and 2
The banana mirror
ate a scared shark
I like oranges
I like apples
I like plums
I like zucchini
I like pink ice cream
I like hot peppers
I like carrots
The banana
Next up, were the middle schoolers. With them I talked about never giving up. Do you know it took me five years to get one poem published in one Bruce Lansky children’s poetry anthology, Rolling in the Aisles? But I set a goal for myself and didn’t stop until I achieved it. At times it was discouraging, but never did I stop. One of the kids asked why. “Why didn’t you give up?” The two top reasons are: 1. My three daughters. How could I give up when I know I am setting an example for them? What example do I want to set? Never give up. 2. I love to write. Why would I quit the thing I love the most. I just remind myself that I write because I love it. Published or not, I love to write.
Finally, I met with grades 3,4 and 5. Once again we recited poetry together and had a ball. This group treated me to a wonderful surprise…they recited poetry for me that they wrote in their recent poetry unit. I was blown away not only by the student’s poetry, but also by the way they recited their poetry…with feeling and flair. What fun. And together this group wrote a poem too:
A Weird Poem, by 3,4,5
Fruits are delicious
Celtics are cool
Turnips are good
Oranges are orange
The first word of the Red Sox reminds me of an apple
I love food
The Bruins aren’t fools
I think fruits are cool
People rock and they talk
Something told me so
We took some pictures of the fun and as soon as I can, I’ll post them right here on the site.
Then, on Tuesday, April 7th, I got to be the special guest at the North End Branch of the Boston Public Library for their 11:00 – 11:30 story hour. Thanks to children’s librarian, Jennifer Hawes for welcoming me with open arms. This group was made up of fun, funny, active toddlers. Together we rolled an acorn squash back and forth, clapped our way through my Pepper poem, and worked in finger plays and stretching exercises. What a great morning! I just loved it.
Boston…you rock! Thanks for the warm welcome.
My upcoming appearances follow:
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March – May – Starting in March and continuing on through May, my watercolor, original illustrations from Poems on Fruits and Odes to Veggies will be hanging in the lobby of NECA, located at 80 South Jefferson Road, Whippany, NJ 07981. Pop on by and view the art exhibit.
- Monday, May 4 – Holy Trinity Interparochial School, Mountainside, NJ – I have been invited to the Holy Trinity School and will be reciting poetry and signing books for all the wonderful pre-k and kindergarten kids!
- Sunday, May 17 – Barnes & Noble, Livingston, NJ (112 Eisenhower Parkway) – I have been invited to read read poetry and sign copies of Poems and Odes. While no longer poetry month, we’ll still highlight the beauty of April being poetry month. This event is open to the public. Pop on by for some good food fun!
Give me a shout out if you make it to one of these listed events. I would love to hear from you. Until then, remember, healthy eating starts with a poem!