Am I a poet in the traditional sense? Nay. My expertise doesn’t stretch much beyond the “roses are red” variety. While I appreciate and am amazed by the poetically-minded, I have trouble pulling the stuff off myself. But book spine poetry is a different story. The concept is simple – stack books using the titles on the spines to create a poem. The learning curve is low, the results are often awesome – it’s a natural fit for a National Poetry Month program for kids. Inspired by artist Nina Katchadourian, book spine poems (or “centos”) have been my form of choice to celebrate National Poetry Month for the past two years. I’ve spread the word on my blog, 100 Scope Notes, and gathered the work of others to share. With April fast approaching, I encourage you to give book spine poetry a shot with your young patrons. Here are my…
Author: Travis Jonker
Travis Jonker has been an elementary school librarian since 2005. In 2007, he started the children's literature blog 100 Scope Notes.
In addition to posting children’s literature reviews there, Travis also periodically straightens his tie and reviews for School Library Journal, and has been a judge for the Cybils Awards.
He lives in Michigan and is a member of the American Library Association and Association for Library Service to Children
Librarian After Hours: Professional Books on My Nightstand
Don’t tell my wife I did this, but here is an unstaged photo of my nightstand: Well, I can’t say it’s completely untouched – I did vacuum a dust bunny or two. What we have here are five professional books that have been helpful to me in my job. The beauty of these titles is that you can take your time with them. Pick one up, crack the cover, become a better children’s librarian. 1. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up Edited by Julia Eccleshare Selected by a cast of great literary minds, this list of 1001 must-read children’s books is the sort of book you’ll be paging through over and over again. From the classics (Carle, Sendak, et al.) to lesser known gems, each book is reviewed and presented in categories by age group. Keep a copy close at hand. 2. The Book Whisperer: Awakening…
National Poetry Month Is Better With Book Spine Poems
Looking into the none-too-distant horizon, I see that April (a.k.a. National Poetry Month) is fast approaching. Last year, inspired by artist Nina Katchadourian, I tried my hand at book spine poetry and came away convinced that this was just the sort of thing that kids would take to. I shared my experience on the ALSC Blog and encouraged others to try it with their students or young patrons and send me photos. I posted a gallery of student poems on my blog, 100 Scope Notes. The results were a lovely sight to see: How do you create your own? Here are my tips for kids and teens: 1. Check out last year’s book spine poem gallery for inspiration. 2. Once you’re in the library, start looking at titles to see what strikes you. Arrange and rearrange in your head. The best part of this type of poetry is the fact…
Celebrate Poetry Month with Book Spine Poems
I’m not what you would call a poet. Not even close. In fact, until recently, I think the last poem I wrote was a haiku in high school about becoming a werewolf (what can I say? I was going through a big Teen Wolf phase). I don’t even own a beret, tights, or a British accent (but I do cling to several wildly off-base poet stereotypes). So when I came across Nina Katchadourian‘s website, and her amazing book spine centos, I was intrigued enough to try it myself, but not sure if the experience would be a positive one. Then I gave it a shot. Did I enjoy it? Let’s just say this: do you know of a good beret shop, old chap? I decided to share it on my children’s literature blog, 100 Scope Notes, and challenge others to give it a try. There were a bunch of outstanding…
Up Close and Personal: Caldecott Artwork
After fruitlessly calling upwards of nine hotels looking to book a room in Chicago earlier in the week (such is my custom of procrastination, friends), I asked hotel #10 what was going on that could possibly be clogging up this much space. “The American Library Association is holding their conference, sir”. Oh. It was then that I realized just how big an affair this was to be. Annual 2009 is my first taste of the event that brings together more cardigans and sensible shoes than any other. One of the activities I didn’t want to miss while in town was not actually a part of the ALA ’09 festivities, but an exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago. Picture Perfect: Art from Caldecott Award Books, 2006-2009 puts award-winning children’s book illustrations on display. After walking five minutes to the Institute, located in Chicago’s Grant Park (yep, that hotel thing worked…