April is National Poetry Month! How are you going to celebrate?
My library system allows cardholders to sign up for daily poems sent to their email, along with a prompt for those interested in creating their own poetry.
I love reading the daily poem. I admit I have not yet tried my hand at writing. Maybe if I have a day off in April…
However, I have always done a BIG display of poetry books in the children’s area. What I find most interesting is that while they don’t circulate a ton throughout the year, I can barely keep them in stock while putting out the display. A reminder, perhaps, to consider them in any themed display you create. When people see poetry books, at least at my branch, they MOVE!
I cannot think of children and poetry without thinking of Shel Silverstein. My favorite is “Sick,” which begins, “”I cannot go to school today,”/Said little Peggy Ann McKay.” And it ends with the best punch line I will not ruin, if you are not familiar with it. Instead, I will link to the poem here. Silverstein still flies off the shelf today.
Other customer favorites are Charles R. Smith, Jr.’s photographic interpretation of Langston Hughes’ “My People,” Amy Krause Rosenthal’s “The Wonder Book,” and anything by Jack Prelutsky. I’m also a huge fan of April Pulley Sayre, especially “Rah, Rah Radishes” and “Bloom Boom.”
Don’t forget to highlight books in verse for children, a favorite for reluctant readers who are encouraged by white space. Whether it be one of Kwame Alexander’s sports novels (like “The Crossover”), Jasmine Warga’s “Other Words for Home,” or Lisa Fipps’ “Starfish,” these books use imagery and rhythm to engage readers.
How will you celebrate this April?
This post addresses the core competency of IV. Knowledge, Curation, and Management of Materials.