Reading & Writing Poetry Collections & Anthologies

 Happy Poetry Friday!  

  My poetry collection. 

Photo by Amy Soto

Today’s Poetry Break was inspired by Stephanie Afinito, from A Lit Life. She posed a question to her Get Lit (erate) Community.  Since it is Poetry Month, Stephanie asked members of the community to share some of their favorite poetry book recommendations. I got to thinking about my, rather large collection of poetry books (they are mostly children's poetry books).  I decided to share books that feature poems about reading and writing, a topic that is one of my very favorites!  My heartstrings are connected to these books.  If you are a book lover and writer, you're going to love this list. My curated list is in no particular order.

Amy has filled a book with a glorious collection of poems about reading!  Need I say more?  

Amy has done it again, this time she's collected poems about writing.  Perfection!  

Whether you love language, or you are a literacy educator, you will want to add this sweet anthology to your poetry collection.  As the subtitle suggests, there are poems about reading, writing, speaking, and listening.  

I love this anthology of library poetry!  It doesn't get any better than this for those who love spending time in libraries! 

I have consulted this often and always did so in preparation for National Poetry Month in my classroom and my school library.  According to my GoodReads review, I stated that every bibliophile, librarian, teacher, and reader should own a copy of this little anthology.  There are poem treasures to be discovered again and again.   

I used this poetry anthology so often in my school library, that I knew I needed my own copy!  

Book lovers, you are going to want a copy of Salas' collection of poems about books, reading, parts of the book, and more!  As a former reading specialist and librarian, I often shared the poems from this book with my students, as we learned various aspects of literacy.  

I hope that you will check out these wonderful books!  Happy Poetry Month!

Today's Poetry Friday round-up is being hosted by Margaret at Reflections on the Teache, where she has the Progressive Poem.  Stop on over for lots of poetry love.  

Book Cover credits: GoodReads

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Until next time, Happy Reading and . . . I hope your heart strings connect with something wonderful you read!

 Happy Poetry Friday!

Today I am sharing a Poetry Break! and a poem draft.  

Poetry Break! 

(if you are not currently familiar with Poetry Breaks, check out my first blog to read about them!  For Poetry Friday, a Poetry Break is a poetry book that I am reading and loving) 

Book image from GoodReads.

I’m in love with this poetry/picture book, written by Eric Ode and illustrated by Jieting Chen. Stop that Poem! Is a poem that is constructed as the reader is taken on a whimsical journey throughout an ordinary day in an ordinary neighborhood.  A young girl wheels a wagon, full of words to a yard, where she stacks her words to make a poem.  Soon her words are carried away with the wind.  “Stop that poem!” the girl and her friend shout.  The words are scattered throughout the neighborhood and new lines in the poem are crafted at each scene; a pond, a clothesline, a tree, and other neighborhood locations.  The artwork has more muted background colors, with brighter pops of color in the foreground, that draws the reader into the illustrations.  Pair this poem picture book with word cards and a clothesline for children to craft and create their own original poems. This is the perfect read aloud for anytime but especially now, during National Poetry Month!

Stop that Poem! has inspired me to draft this poem.  It is a work in progress.  Please feel free to leave me any feedback in the comments.  I would greatly appreciate it.  

Poems

by Amy Soto

I gaze out the window

My mind wanders 

Like clouds

Poems float by 

I try to catch one

but can’t 

 no matter how hard I try.

Like clouds

Poems float by 

Today's Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme.  Be sure to stop over for a lot more Poetry Friday fun!

Until next time, Happy Reading and Writing, and . . . 

 I hope your heart strings connect with something wonderful you read!

Poetry Break (revisited)!

"Poetry Break!" . . . 

Several years ago, on my original blog, Mrs. Merrill's Book Break,  I explained and featured my "Poetry Breaks!"  If you are interested in reading about them, various ways in which I conduct them, and the impact of a "Poetry Break," click here to read more.  

Today, I'd like to share my latest YouTube video, in which I explain a "Poetry Break."  

I am no longer working as a reading specialist and school librarian.  I had to retire early due to a health issue.  I really miss sharing my weekly "Poetry Breaks" and am hoping to be able to share them again via YouTube.  Thank you for stopping by and reading and watching.  :)  

Welcome to Poetry Friday!  Today's poetry fun, round up, is being hosted by Bridget at Wee Words for Wee Ones!  Be sure to stop over to her blog for the round up!

A Rare Mother Goose Book Find

 I have recently started a YouTube channel and this is my video where I discuss a rare, Mother Goose collection that I found at a wonderful little used bookstore in Cherry Valley, NY.  Check out The Cherry Valley Bookstore and check out my video!  

Check out my video at Mother Goose Librarian!

Today's Poetry Friday round up is being hosted by Irene at Live Your Poem, where she discusses her new and exciting writing course!  She is also sharing her poem called, "Autumn Puzzle" as well as, Pablo Neruda's "Ode to Autumn."  Make sure you check out her blog!   

Collection

Me with a recent book purchase for a special collection.

Photo by Mark Soto

Poetry Ponderings

On Tuesday, I wrote a "Slice of Life" story called, My Bookish Book Collection.  It's a story about  the addition of a book for my collection of books about books, reading, and libraries.  As I reflected on this piece of writing, I began to wonder if I could turn it into a poem.  As always, my poems are works in progress, but I thought I'd share here.  

My Poem

Collection                                                                                                                                                          by Amy Soto

I have a special collection

of something I love -

books.

They line many shelves all through my house - books.

A  favorite, curated, compilation, stars treasured books about libraries, reading, books.

I have a special collection of something I love -  books.

After playing around with the lines, I thought maybe this could be a shape poem (you have to look at it sideways). What do you think? Does it qualify as a shape/concrete poem?

Some of my bookish bookshelves.

Photo by Amy Soto

Poetry Love

I always have a large TBR pile and have recently decided that my weekly reads must include poetry.  Now that I am not in the school library, I don't have the opportunity to share poetry with children on a regular basis.  I'm still thinking of ways that I can do so and will be sure to share here, on Poetry Friday, when I do.  In the meantime, I decided to ensure that I am at least reading poetry each week.  This week, my poetry reading is one of my new favorite anthologies.  

From my poetry collection.

Photo by Amy Soto

This week's Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe.  

Perfect Pastime

My daughter Sienna & her fiancé Mahmoud. 

Photo by Amy Soto

Recently, I purchased a puzzle and set it out on my dining room table.  I'm not much of a puzzler, as they tend to frustrate me, rather than relax me.  I know, though, that both of my college age girls enjoy them  So, now whenever they are home (neither one lives at home), they sit at the dining room table to work on the puzzle, allowing us extra time for chatting and catching up!  When I sat with my daughter, Sarah (not pictured),as she worked on the puzzle,  my mind began to brainstorm words and phrases that eventually became my poem below.  

Perfect Pastime 

puzzlers gather

working together 

pouring over 

fragmented

puzzle pieces

pondering positions

concentrate    

pushing pieces 

together      

colors and shapes blend 

over time  

promising a picture 

Amy Soto

I try to keep an open mind when it comes to my writing.  I am always on the lookout for writing topics and have realized that sometimes, what seems to be ordinary, can in fact, be extraordinary writing inspiration. 

 

Today's Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Elisabeth at Unexpected Intersections.  Check her blog for lots more poetry fun!

Mother Nature’s Gift

 Mother Nature’s Gift

Each year 

on my birthday

Stridulations

commence 

Katydids

grasshoppers

crickets

wings rub together 

serenade for a mate 

but

their sweet songs

lull me 

into slumber. 

This week I celebrated my birthday. I know that every year on or about that day, I’ll begin to hear the sweet songs of the grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets. I began to wonder why this particular time in summer the songs emerged. So, I did a little research , took some notes, and began to create my poem. Some of what I learned ended up finding it’s way into my poem. 

Photo of me with a birthday gift. It’s not a cricket, grasshopper, or katydid but it’s another one of my favorite insects. Who knows?  Maybe I’ll write about this sometime soon!  

Today’s Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Becky at Sloth Reads. 

A List Poem for Poetry Friday.

1. I love making lists in my notebooks!  Recently I made a list of the things that I love most about summer. So, when I began to think about posting for Poetry Friday, I thought of my lists in my notebook and got an idea for today’s poem.  I began to play with the words in my list and created this poem. It’s so much fun to read through my notebooks, play with the ideas, and create something new. Some of my writing has become collages and some has become other pieces of writing and poetry. I also added photos that I’ve taken this summer. I hope you enjoy!
   
   
   Seasonal Delights
   
   
   Garden in bloom
   Ice cream outings 
   Long days
   Warm nights
   Beach sojourns 
   Evening thunderstorms
   Porch sitting
   Morning swims
   Neighborhood walks 
   Iced tea conversations 
   Poolside picnics
   Homemade pickles 
   Popsicles dripping
   All day reading 
   Garage sale surprises 
   Antique adventures 
    Simple summer pleasures 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   
   

    

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Today’s Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Kat at Kat’s Whiskers.
   
   
   Click HERE to learn more about Poetry Friday.