Visit Alyson Beecher on Wednesdays for Non-Fiction Picture books at Kidlit Frenzy. From Alyson and others, you can count on finding a wonderful book!#NPM17 - Poem 12/30 - National Poetry Month.
"Poetry is an act of peace." – Pablo Neruda
Poetic things of interest:
See Irene Latham's Progressive Poem's schedule on the page above.
See what everyone is doing for Poetry Month, HERE at Jama Rattigan's post at Jama's Alphabet Soup.
See Irene Latham's Progressive Poem's schedule on the page above.
See what everyone is doing for Poetry Month, HERE at Jama Rattigan's post at Jama's Alphabet Soup.
Bridget Magee and her family have started a project in response to the chaos happening in our government. Go HERE to find out about it, to see how you can help!
My goal for Poetry Month: TINY THINGS. My choices may surprise you, and I'm excited to write, share, and read how everyone writes to meet their special goals for celebrating poetry month.
It's interesting how things connect so quickly. I wrote a poem posted Monday about Gandhi because the 'tiny thing' I had chosen as a topic made a connection (to me) - salt crystals.
Since then I've read a graphic novel of Gandhi's life. Earl recommended it recently and I was able to find it at my library. While I know that a graphic novel cannot give the comprehensive information a written biography can, I enjoyed this thoroughly, found that some of the content connects to our conflicts in the U.S. now. There is so much disagreement, discontent, and worry. One can use those words to describe most of Gandhi's life, too, though there were always triumphs and wisdom that kept him going.
Jason Quinn has written a wonderful first-person narrative of the life of Gandhi, a man known as Mahatma (great soul) which he did not approve of during his life. In the novel, Gandhi tells the story in a flashback and the artists allow him to appear in gray tones within the pages. Gandhi taught how one person's actions can make change. The gorgeous artwork by Sachin Nagar throughout is filled with details. I enjoyed the way that the scenes bled into other scenes rather than drawing cell after cell. The color drawings bring every part of this great man's journey to life. His story of Mahandas Karamchand Gandhi should not be forgotten. For mature readers and those also willing to do some research while reading.
This second book also concerns conflict. It's a new book by Debbie Levy about one Civil War battle, the Battle of Fredericksburg. There is one special moment shown between the blue and the gray when they sing together. This nonfiction picture book gives some information about the role of music in the Civil War from how it was used to regulate a day in the military to how it provided solace and comfort to soldiers. The book focuses on a "battle of the bands" that took place following this battle. Particular attention is given to the song Home, Sweet Home, which was popular in both the North and the South.
Debbie included song lyrics and musical notation within her story. I especially loved the examples of parts of letters home given throughout the book. "My Dearest Wife . . . .Alas! Will the good old times ever return again? And you and I with our little ones dwell together in peace? I hope so. I believe so, but the heart sickens with the deferred hope." (Letter of December 15 from Confederate soldier P.H. Powers.) Versions of Dixie sung by the North and the South will be great for discussions about point of view. The back matter includes a timeline, bibliography, background on Fredericksburg, quotation sources and a history of the song Home, Sweet Home.-
----------------------------
My goal for Poetry Month: TINY THINGS. My choices may surprise you, and I'm excited to write, share, and read how everyone writes to meet their special goals for celebrating poetry month.
The Letter "I"
Who?
Me?
Yes, it must be.
People, friends
even some enemies
say ‘tis I.
And I play along--
being right in their eyes at last.
Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved
I wrote this as a reply to Gandhi's own life's philosophy. In it, the letter "I" appeared never to be a concern, only the word "you." What are "you" doing to help a conflict, to help others? How can I be of service to "you"? "I hope I have not offended "you".
It's interesting how things connect so quickly. I wrote a poem posted Monday about Gandhi because the 'tiny thing' I had chosen as a topic made a connection (to me) - salt crystals.
Since then I've read a graphic novel of Gandhi's life. Earl recommended it recently and I was able to find it at my library. While I know that a graphic novel cannot give the comprehensive information a written biography can, I enjoyed this thoroughly, found that some of the content connects to our conflicts in the U.S. now. There is so much disagreement, discontent, and worry. One can use those words to describe most of Gandhi's life, too, though there were always triumphs and wisdom that kept him going. Jason Quinn has written a wonderful first-person narrative of the life of Gandhi, a man known as Mahatma (great soul) which he did not approve of during his life. In the novel, Gandhi tells the story in a flashback and the artists allow him to appear in gray tones within the pages. Gandhi taught how one person's actions can make change. The gorgeous artwork by Sachin Nagar throughout is filled with details. I enjoyed the way that the scenes bled into other scenes rather than drawing cell after cell. The color drawings bring every part of this great man's journey to life. His story of Mahandas Karamchand Gandhi should not be forgotten. For mature readers and those also willing to do some research while reading.
Debbie included song lyrics and musical notation within her story. I especially loved the examples of parts of letters home given throughout the book. "My Dearest Wife . . . .Alas! Will the good old times ever return again? And you and I with our little ones dwell together in peace? I hope so. I believe so, but the heart sickens with the deferred hope." (Letter of December 15 from Confederate soldier P.H. Powers.) Versions of Dixie sung by the North and the South will be great for discussions about point of view. The back matter includes a timeline, bibliography, background on Fredericksburg, quotation sources and a history of the song Home, Sweet Home.-
----------------------------
So Far-Tiny Things
April 1 - Two Plates - Thanksgiving
April 2 - In Each Mind's Eye - baby elephant
April 3 - Discovered April First - miniature book
April 4 - A Promise - peach seed
April 5 - haiku - one music note
April 6 - My Tiny List - must-do list
April 7 - Tiny Lights - window lights at dusk
April 8 - Cherita - pencil stub
April 9 - Apple Blooms - blooms/apple tree
April 10 - Walk to The Sea - salt crystals
April 10 - Walk to The Sea - salt crystals
April 11 - Sonnet Show & Tell - tiny key
Love how you tied your tiny poem to the biography of Ghandi. I'm headed back to check out a few missed days of your tiny poems.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ramona, and for visiting the other posts, too!
DeleteThere were definitely times whilst reading Gandhi that I wanted to take a pic of a certain page because it seemed so timely. I wish more people learned from the past rather than have a "If at first you don't succeed, try again" with certain horrible acts!
ReplyDeleteI wish so, too, Earl, & I know exactly what you mean. There was much wisdom in Gandhi's search for peace. Thanks so much for your recommendation.
DeleteI really loved Soldier Song more than I thought I would. Would love for some music downloads to come along with it!
ReplyDeleteOh, that would be nice. I was wishing for my brother to be near so he could play some of those songs for me. I knew some of the songs, looked up Home Sweet Home to remind myself of the tune. It was a lovely book to read. Thanks, Michele.
DeleteBethany Hegedus' Be the Change, a picture book biography about Ghandi, also exemplifies the theme of your poem.
ReplyDeleteYes, trying to connect the poems as much as I can. Thanks, Annette!
Delete