CCBC-Net Archives
Booktalk Poetry
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Lindsay <1321204497>
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 12:47:59 -0700 (PDT)
Ruth's comment about poetry being "orally and aurally" accessible, and about the need for paperback poetry books reminded me to make this plea: booktalk poetry! Just as kids grab up paperback novels and have to be cajoled into checking out the hardcover ones; they'll shy away from checking out poetry in the library because: 1) It's hardcover (and often BIG) and 2) It's in the NONFICTION section. Display it, say it, read it. Browse the new collections you get into your library so that you know what the poems are 'about' -- I often can get teachers to check out poetry books for some unit they're doing if I can show them the page with a poem on that topic. And poetry is one of the EASIEST things to booktalk to kids because all you have to do is open it up and read a poem out loud. They love it. They just need your help to get past the package. Don't be intimidated. Jack Prelutsky is a sure-fire bet, even reading it cold. I like to use his poem "Underwater Wibbles" to booktalk Paul Janezcko's collection "The Place My Words are Looking For" (great for upper-elementary or middle school; it includes comments by the poets on writing). Or "Ode to Las Tortillas" in Gary Soto's "Neighborhood Odes", which includes mouthwatering descriptions of eating buttery tortillas on the lawn, and having the butter drip down your arm... Finally, I try to use any excuse to get poetry books off their shelf in the 811s. It's easy to incorporate them into any topical display -- and if any of you don't have poetry books displayed somewhere right now ... the month is only half over!
Nina (who is a month now into her new job-- note address below!)
Nina Lindsay, Children's Librarian Melrose Branch, Oakland Pulbic Library 4805 Foothill Boulevard Oakland, CA 94601
(510)535V23 linds_na at oak2.ci.oakland.ca.us
Received on Thu 16 Apr 1998 02:47:59 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 12:47:59 -0700 (PDT)
Ruth's comment about poetry being "orally and aurally" accessible, and about the need for paperback poetry books reminded me to make this plea: booktalk poetry! Just as kids grab up paperback novels and have to be cajoled into checking out the hardcover ones; they'll shy away from checking out poetry in the library because: 1) It's hardcover (and often BIG) and 2) It's in the NONFICTION section. Display it, say it, read it. Browse the new collections you get into your library so that you know what the poems are 'about' -- I often can get teachers to check out poetry books for some unit they're doing if I can show them the page with a poem on that topic. And poetry is one of the EASIEST things to booktalk to kids because all you have to do is open it up and read a poem out loud. They love it. They just need your help to get past the package. Don't be intimidated. Jack Prelutsky is a sure-fire bet, even reading it cold. I like to use his poem "Underwater Wibbles" to booktalk Paul Janezcko's collection "The Place My Words are Looking For" (great for upper-elementary or middle school; it includes comments by the poets on writing). Or "Ode to Las Tortillas" in Gary Soto's "Neighborhood Odes", which includes mouthwatering descriptions of eating buttery tortillas on the lawn, and having the butter drip down your arm... Finally, I try to use any excuse to get poetry books off their shelf in the 811s. It's easy to incorporate them into any topical display -- and if any of you don't have poetry books displayed somewhere right now ... the month is only half over!
Nina (who is a month now into her new job-- note address below!)
Nina Lindsay, Children's Librarian Melrose Branch, Oakland Pulbic Library 4805 Foothill Boulevard Oakland, CA 94601
(510)535V23 linds_na at oak2.ci.oakland.ca.us
Received on Thu 16 Apr 1998 02:47:59 PM CDT
