From: Carole D. Fiore <Carole>
Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 16:52:13 -0400

Many years ago when I first met Lee, he charmed me with his love of poetry
-- and language. Over the years, I have gained an appreciation for GOOD poetry and this year had the honor to chair the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Committee. As Lee said in his post, there is lots of light verse; there is also a new phenomenon -- the blank verse novel. But, unfortunately, not all of it is good. Popular, maybe - but not necessarily high quality. Some of it is "worse," not verse!

Poetry creates images with few words. Poetry plays with human emotions. Poetry is lyrical -- even when the subject matter is dark. Poetry enhances the life of the reader.

Years ago, I wrote an essay on poetry for CBC. Even though they are no longer promoting Young People's Poetry Week, they still have info on their web sites about poetry for children. My article is still there at http://cbcbooks.org/yppw/articles/fiore.htm.

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEE!

                                            Carole

****************************************** Carole D. Fiore Training and Library Consulting carole at fiore-tlc.biz www.fiore-tlc.biz Phone: 850-656-8474 Fax: 850-942-2802 Cell: 850-694-1789
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Received on Thu 03 Apr 2008 03:52:13 PM CDT