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?
My Bookish Book Collection
Ever since I can remember, I have collected books about books, reading, and libraries. I love to read them and share them with children. As a former school librarian and reading specialist, I would kick off the school year by sharing these sort of books with students as they had their first visit of the school year to the library and during my first lesson with classes and small groups. Over the years, my collection has grown quite a bit. The picture above features only some of my collection!
On Saturday, while running errands, my husband and I made an impromptu stop at our local bookstore (I could visit on a weekly basis!). As I browsed the children's area, I stumbled upon this "new to me" book about books and reading! It practically leapt off the shelf and into my waiting arms! Although I am no longer in the school as an employee, I do plan to be a volunteer storyteller, on a monthly basis and Allan Wolf's, No Buddy Like a Book will certainly be one of my first read aloud selections!
Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers are the hosts of #IMWAYR, where readers from near and far share what they have been reading over the past week - from picture books to young adult novels. For lots of book recommendations, check out the hashtag, #INWAYR.
I recently stumbled upon a blog that I have been enjoying a great deal. I feel like I know the creator and that we are friends chatting about books that we have read, writing projects that we are working on, and other literacy related bits and bobs. Stephanie at A Lit Life, makes a weekly post on her blog called, “A Lit Life Weekly Literate Love.” In these posts, she writes about what she’s reading, writing, learning, and loving. I love to read Stephanie’s posts. She is a fellow literacy lover! So, I decided that I, too, wanted to write a similar sort of post and thought #IMWAYR might be a good time to share.
What I've Been Reading:
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
I listened to the audiobook for this and it was amazing! If you've heard any buzz about this title, it's all true! I highly recommend it. This is a story about how a randomly discovered reading list brings together characters that develop an unlikely friendship and bond over reading the books on the list. I read it in a day and a half. I laughed out loud and cried. It is so touching and will have you feeling as though you are friends with the characters. You’ll also be wanting to read or reread the book titles on the reading list.
photo from Goodreads
Here are some of the other books I have been reading this past week . . .
No Buddy Like a Book by Allan Wolf, illustrated by Brianne Farley
I am so excited to add this to my collection about books, reading, and libraries! Poetic, rhyming text tells readers the glorious story of all that books and reading can do for him or her. A perfect read anytime, but especially at the start of the school year. What a great read aloud to kick of the reading year! The illustrations are beautiful and enhance Wolf's story.
Leilong the Library Bus by Julia Liu, illustrated by Bei Lynn
Oh, how I love this story from Taiwan that was translated into English! Leilong the dinosaur transports his friends to the library for stroytime - it's his first visit to the library. When he attempts to enter the library, the whole building shakes and Leilong is told that he's too big to come in. His friends tell him they won't be long and they head in to the storytime. Leilong peeks in thw windows and becomes involved in the story. Again he is told that he can't be a part of the library. Read to find out how Leinlong becomes the library bus! What a sweet ending to the book and Leilong's problem! I also love the detailed artwork in this book that I would read aloud to my students in the library upon their first visit of the school year.
I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
How can you go wrong with the Rosenthal and Lichtenheld duo? You can't! I was gifted a copy of this book during a particularly difficult time in my life by someone that I greatly admire. It was just what this reader needed at that time and any other time, as well. If you haven't yet read it, make sure you do. Again, this is another read aloud to start your school year off, full of well wishes. It's also quite short and sweet
Book Nerd by Holly Maguire
This is a fun little, coffee table book that's filled with fun bookish facts and definitions, along with whimsical and charming artwork. I think that if you are reading this post, you are most likely a book nerd, like me, and need to own this book.
What I'm Writing:
In addition to my usual journaling, I've been working on exercises from Rachael Herron's great book called, Fast Draft Your Memoir This book has been a tremendous resource in helping me understand the different types and structures of memoir. The exercises are brilliant and have really gotten me going on what I've been trying to get down on paper. This is also another audiobook that I've listened to (and listened to again). It's a great book that is read by the author.
Things That I'm Loving:
In the last several months, I have discovered the world of booktube. I have been watching so many different channels and adding to my already, huge TBR list! It is so much fun! It's like having great bookish conversations whenever I want! If you're a book lover, make sure you check out all of the wonderful booktube channels. Simply search; TBR, Library Haul, Book Haul, or Books and you'll get an endless list of videos. From there, you can decide whose channel you'd like to follow. :) Two of my favorites are; "Books and Jams" and "The Curly Reader."
Things That I'm Learning:
By watching booktube, I have learned about so many, many books that I have either forgotten that I had wanted to read or learned about new-to-me books that I want to read. Needless to say, my TBR list has grown exponentially!
These are just a handful of the books that I've been reading this past week, as well as a sprinkling of other bookish things that I've been up to. Stay tuned for some more news from this "book nerd!"
P.S. please let me know what your favorite memoirs are I’m looking to read lots! Thank you!
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
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
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.
Last year, I left teaching and my beloved position as an elementary school librarian, I retired early due to some health issues. Since I’ve left, I hadn’t shared stories or read aloud to children in over a year. Part of me missed it and another part of me made peace with the fact that I wasn’t meant to share books, poems, or tell stories anymore. My friend and colleague had been asking me to be a guest storyteller in her virtual kindergarten class. I avoided her invitation until recently when I accepted and looked at it as a challenge, of sorts.
So, on a hot day in June, during the last week of school, I logged on to a Zoom meeting with my friend’s kindergarten class, to share some of my favorite picture books! After I was introduced and the children were settled in, I began by previewing what I planned to share I showed off my watermelon apron to let the children know I’d be sharing a book about eating watermelon (The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli). I then introduced them to my friend, Corduroy. I opened with an animated telling of Don Freeman’s Corduroy, as I showed illustrations from the classic picture book. We then took a short dance break with the “Gummi Bear” song (Corduroy danced right along with everyone else, of course!). I then shared The Watermelon Seed in an interactive way.
The children, their teacher, and I all had a great time! It was as though I had never stopped telling stories and sharing great picture books! I was surprised at how invigorated that I felt I’m so happy that I agreed to come back to my love!Thank you, Raquel for not giving up on me!
Thank you for stopping by to read about my return to storytimes! I’m happy to report that I will continue to volunteer for regular storytimes! I’ll be able to share my love for picture books, poems, and all things story. Stay tuned for more of my adventures in storytelling this upcoming school year.
Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read other Slice of Life stories
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