Poetry Friday - Something New Discovered

   It's Poetry Friday, and Jan Godown Annino is hosting HERE at Bookseed Studio. She's sharing a poetic basket filled with music, book recommendations, and special calls for poetry! Thanks for hosting, Jan! 

  

            Many of you know that I volunteer at a unique used bookstore. It's a non-profit run entirely by volunteers. I am the volunteer coordinator, and I am in charge of donations with one other person. The store, with the exception of a few new books purchased for one "new" shelf, has three floors of all, used, books. Each week, donations come in, often so many with our small storage available that we must close the donations until the next Friday. On Thursday afternoons, my crew, some older retirees and several teens, go through the books and organize them in various ways for shelving. It's hard work, but also amazing and wonderful to see what arrives in the boxes, mostly gems, but some junk that sadly includes books falling apart and smelly! In all, though, we manage to have hundreds of books in our inventory through the kindness of many.

          I've taken the Poetry Sisters' challenge this end of January. Here's what Tanita wrote last month! 

           "The Poetry Sisters met on Sunday to map out our writing prompts for the year. We have a plan and a prompt for January. Would you like to try this month's challenge? We will be writing a tanku, a poem that begins with a tanka, followed by a haiku written in response. A tanku can be any length, but each verse should be written in response to the one before. You can find an example at Rattle: Poetry. Are you with us? Good! Please share your poem on January 31st in a post and/or on social media with the tag #PoetryPals. We look forward to reading your poems!"

  Don't Call It Work

 

I’m at the bookstore

sorting out book donations,

keep curious eyes

for ephemera discards.

Imagination ignites.

 

Maui Boarding pass.

thank you letter to Emma.

Groceries to buy;

only one makes me smile –

something special for Sam.

Piled in a basket,

the guesses only maybes –

characters appear.

 

                     Linda Baie © 

 

        I've received more marvelous postcards, will thank everyone and share next week! The kindness shared keeps the dark away!

It's Monday - New to Share!

   

    Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow!       

    The ALA Awards are this morning! Are you pleased or disappointed with those who received shiny medals? 

 

        I want to tell everything about The Squad, yet there are pieces of Christina Soontornvat's new story about her life, from the last book's cheerleading sadness in middle school to the next part of her life, more cheerleading drama, a cafeteria food fight, and high emotions in her family that must be personally experienced. Joanna Cacao's art takes readers into the story as the "squad" worries and supports, sighs about some others in the school and loves some new ones, too. I imagine every middle school student will love this one, embracing it as their lives being lived now. There is a tender letter at the back from Christina, especially nice for her readers, plus pictures of her growing up. Both Christina and Joanna share lovely acknowledgments, too. It is wonderful to read what followed after the earlier book, The Tryout!

      Rollicking rhymes tell this story of Sue, the Blue Kangaroo, who just moved to the zoo! She heard about a party but somehow no one can go until Sue finds her shoe. In addition to that problem, others also need help. Author Bradley Kind's name fits the story wonderfully, for as the story moves along, readers will find Sue to be helpful and kind! Even though she keeps asking and asking about that shoe, she doesn't stop helping others. The fun, fun rhyme will make a terrific read-aloud making the listeners giggle as they also love Shirin Hashemi's delightful brightly-colored illustrations. 

       "Did you see an orange shoe?/Say, "I found it!"/ when you do.

         There are also pages at the back with some activities and Bradley has created a stand-alone activity book to go with this story! Thanks to him for sharing an e-copy with me!

          It's a brief book about 12-year-old Samira who, with her mother, has been working for the resistance in Nazi-occupied France. The night before, her mother was captured and now Samira must hurry to save her because it's known that they shoot everyone at dawn. Through fields and woods, Samira rushes along with a little dog she's rescued for a neighbor. Rumors are that this is the day for the American invasion, and that surely will help, at least Samira hopes so. This keeps one reading fast, to see what happens during this new and desperate march to get to the destination in time!

        Remember Charlie Mackesy's marvelous book, now a movie, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse? I knew when I saw Tales from Muggleswick Wood, in marvelous verse by Vicky Cowie illustrated by Mackesy, that I would love it, and I do! Granny has come for a visit and with urgent pleas, tells five tales she remembers from the beautiful English countryside. You'll find a map in the end covers! There are troublesome moles with an ending that will make you laugh out loud, fairies and brownies with rules one must follow, or else!  from the text: "So off went the frog with the gargoyle pair,/the dragonfly, gnome, and the girl with blonde hair".

Now reading! Chroncicles of a Lizard Nobody - Patrick Ness and Tim Miller

Poetry Friday - Gifting Is the Best!

  It's Poetry Friday, and Tabatha Yeatts-Lonske is hosting HERE at The Opposite of Indifference. Thanks for hosting, Tabatha! 

  

             A.A. Milne - Winnie-the-Pooh - “Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”

           For anyone who is participating or has participated in exchanging postcards during this mid-wintertime, you know what a joyful thing it is to receive some real mail, among the numerous pieces from everyone else who wishes to sell me something, a product, a membership, a visit from the "window" people! 

         And, this year, in the midst of our crazy, worrisome time in the US, it's especially marvelous to take the walk to my mailbox (We have 'blocks' of boxes in my neighborhood.) and discover a huge treat!

        Thanks to Patricia Franz and Mona Moelkel for the lovely art and poems! Not only are what they sent wonderful gifts, but I realize they've also given me, along with others, a gift of their time spent creating! 

Here’s a ditty of thanks

For all of the labor

Sent through air to a box

I opened to discover,

What they created and penned –

Beauty like no other

                     Linda Baie © 

Monday Reading - Something for Everyone!

  

    Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow!

    Our country remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today! "The time is always right to do what is right."

Thanks to Publishers Weekly
for my advanced e-copy!
This will be published next month. 

      Books that move back and forth in time are intriguing, and that is how Pam Jenoff chooses to tell this new story inspired by the true story of Lévitan, a posh department store in Paris! The story centers on a woman named Louise, who served with the Red Cross as a young girl in World War II and is now married with a couple of kids, and her early sweetheart, who came out of combat, a rather silent and changed man. She has found a half necklace that she was sure she saw the other half in a terrible time when serving Allied soldiers behind the German lines. That time meant the loss of her friend, Franny, whom they declared that she had been hit by a car. Louise knew it couldn't be true, but she was forced to leave by her boss, Ian, with whom she had some attraction, both to save herself and others. Now, it's the fifties, and this necklace, amazingly, has appeared again! 

     Louise races to Paris, to find out as much as she can, beginning with asking Ian for help and pushing to discover more about that department store. Well, that store has a dark past, was a Nazi prison where the prisoners unloaded all the goods from Jewish homes that had been confiscated and then arranged them like a store for Nazis to come to shop and acquire. 

     In between these stories, Louise also tells of her time in the war, working for the Red Cross and the missing piece, a young woman named Helaine with the saddest past until it all changes when she finally breaks out, falls in love in a cellist, and leaves her home, unblessed, perhaps never to see them again.

      You can imagine the layers of emotion in these lives, mixed in with strange events and love in numerous guises that no matter what the reader believes is true, it is not, or first it's not, then it is! The book is worth a look for being a many-plotted thing! 

Thanks to Candlewick Press
for my copy!

       There's so much to love when an author uses the ABCs to tell a story, and this time  Sam Winston has the dictionary to help him. You know that a dictionary has many, many words, but never, ever is there a story. And she wants one! This time, she decides to bring some words to life, for a story! But when they get mixed up and begin some not-so-expected colliding, things do not happen as wished. Oliver Jeffers' illustrations show all the emotion, like an enthusiastic alligator who's after a donut, and it doesn't work out very well at all. Antics like this will make one laugh, especially when Dictionary's friend Alphabet comes in to save the day with a clever song! You may have heard that one, and it's magic happening when all the words learn to behave! What a clever and fun book, especially to read aloud! 

Thanks to Candlewick Press 
for my copy!

       I've never heard of Viola Smith and now love that Dean Robbins has told about her life. She lived until 107 and was still drumming! She started out with the drums because her other "five" sisters had taken all the other instruments for their new band, the Smith Sisters Orchestra! She tried all the parts, and per the text: "She lost the beat, made a terrible racket, and had more fun than she'd ever had before." Things improved and one huge influence that Viola had later was to write an article that pushed for the music industry to begin accepting women in their groups. This was at the beginning of World War II, when many male players were leaving for war. It helped elevate women as accomplished players! There are more amazing parts to Viola's life, shown in such flashy illustrations by Susanna Chapman that one nearly believes the drumming can be heard! I'm so glad to read a biography of someone very talented whose life one must admire! There's an author's note with more information, a list of musical terms, and a source list at the back. End papers show various kinds of drumsticks! It's terrific! 

        Julia Donaldson wrote this older book, published in the UK, then Scholastic here in the US. It's a fantastic adventure, a song to be sung plus this edition came with a CD, sung by Imelda Staunton, a British performer. It also has a little flap in the back that, when lifted, reveals a wee coloring page of a stick man adventure and the CD. Julia Donaldson creates funny and sad scenes of Stick Man's numerous adventures. When he's out for a jog,  he is first plucked away for play by a dog, then grabbed by a girl for a "Pooh stick," and used by a swan for her nest. There are more adventures, ending in a grate, where the woodpile will be lit, on CHRISTMAS MORNING! It certainly surprised me, for it's also a Christmas book with a delightful surprise ending! Axel Scheffler's colorful illustrations wonderfully show the antics poor Stickman must endure and after reading more than once, Children will be singing this little ditty! What a fun delight! 

               (If you don't know what a "Pooh stick" is– It's that playing on a bridge over a stream. The sticks are first dropped on one side, and then everyone runs to the other side to see who is first!)

         Last fall's Friday Night Lights are over, and some may still remember one game, one coach, and their teammates! The memories of a special team can be just a few months ago, or years! This is one of Grisham's older books, as players from all over the US return to small-town Messina, players for the mighty Spartans. They've come to say goodbye to the coach who brought them to undefeated seasons, those glory days when they were heroes. All-American player Neely Crenshaw has returned for the first time to help bury Coach Eddie Rake, though he still is unsure whether he loves him or hates him. For those with their own Friday night memories, and the last of pro football happening now, it's a nice time to read one story of the feelings of these players when they were heroes, and despite the coach's methods, they loved him. 

Now Reading! The Squad - Christine Soontornvat & Joanna Cacao

Poetry Friday - This New Year

  It's Poetry Friday, and Tricia Stohr-Hunt is hosting HERE at The Miss Rumphius Effect with a look and a poem for a treasure from the past. Thanks for hosting, Tricia! 

  

          I'm worrying, and preparing, then thinking. These coming days will be challenging and sad. Yet, here I am, planning to play a part in making a bright future for my grandchildren. I will not quit! Here comes the rest of the new year!

Glad To Start Again or

I thought I was

 

Mozart helps me nestle--

contented for this new beginning,

after a loving holiday.

But gray skies appear

beyond my sunshiny days.

It’s like sleet spits at all our windows.

My own brain clouds

with “Why? Who could? Who would?

And, then “How will they suffer the loss?”

Along with keeping busy with mindless dusting,

I wonder why again.  

I sit at my laptop,

fingers tapping.

Searching for the latest news,

though I can’t know if lists and actions

will help. Still, I do not stop!

Yes, it’s still sunny outside,

so I go to rake a few more leaves,

look for fallen branches after yesterday’s wind,

talk to my neighbor.

Quiet voices wing in from down the sidewalk.

“Hey, great to see you; how ya doing?”

The other neighbor’s dog barks, so I know

Someone is walking around there, too. 

A flicker flies, and sparrows twitter.

Nature brings some solace,

before lunch.

Then, I remember again.

                    Linda Baie © 

Monday Reading - Lots to Share!

           

    Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow!

     My mind all week has been mostly on California and the hope that the fires will begin to lessen, the people and animals will make it out somehow, keeping hope for survival and renewal. I hope you and yours, if affected, will be okay. 

       A turtle plays an essential role in this mystery because it likes to draw. See there! It's even on the cover. Friendship grows from a museum theft as young Rami and new friend Veda's big mission is to solve the mystery. Rami's mother works for the museum and is a suspect! Then, a ghost appears to Rami as he hangs out in the museum while his mother works. He names her "Blue," and she plays a part in the answer to all of Rami's worries, which will make readers smile. Jasmine Warga again has written a lovely story, this time that's both a romance and a mystery, with a young boy who needs a friend and finds one. He tells how it all went, his worries, and his triumphs. I enjoyed it very much. Kudos to Matt Rockefeller for the illustrations he added, including the cover.

Thanks to Mia Wenjen for my copy!

         I am fortunate to have received a copy of this book from author Mia Wenjen, who blogs at PragmaticMom.com. It was published by Red Comet Press last October. 

         In this recent time as the Supreme Court considers the case of TikTok and Freedom of the Press, Mia writes of another case for free speech. It is the inspiring account of a young man named Simon Tam who realized that not only could he ignore racism and the words that came with it, but he could also take them as his own! He formed a band, named it The Slants (a word demeaning Asians) and applied for a patent to protect it. His patent was denied, but he did not stop fighting for it. He took the fight over an eight-year period all the way to the Supreme Court and won! The story is told as the lyrics from the band's hit song, "From the Heart", about that fight is included part by part in Victor Bizar Gómez's excellent larger-than-life illustrations. 

         An intro to the book includes inspiring words by Simon Tam, including: "So, it's true stories do matter, but who tells them matters, too. Tell your story, sing your songs, and don't be afraid to make some trouble." There is more in the back matter, including others who have fought anti-Asian Racism, sources, and letters from Mia Wenjen and Simon Tam. 

              This is from the nineties, but I've always enjoyed Tony Johnston's books. It's a funny "re-mix" of 'The Princess And The Pea", telling the tale of a cowgirl looking for a loving partner, who MUST be a real cowboy. Warren Ludwig's illustrations fill the pages with grand colors of western scenes. 

            Kyo Maclear's stories bring magic into one's mind and this new one is no different, but a warm story of a grandson who visits his grandfather, taking time together to talk about the "ghosts" in his grandfather's garden. There are scenes that will brighten your day as you, too, remember other ghosts you know. You'll need to read the book to "see" Katty Maurey's illustrations that add to the magic of Kyo Maclear's words.   

          Lisl H. Detlefsen writes of her family's long-standing "nana rolls" made first by her great-grandmother, but she remembers, too, all the ways they were cherished as gifts, for holidays, just to remind someone of home. In this story, she shares about a visit with her grandson, called "Little Pickle," to teach him how to make those beloved "nana rolls." All the process is shown in colorful spreads by David Soman, often showing their work and explaining the contrast with the baking of long ago. For example, now the ingredients come from the grocery. Then, they first had to gather eggs and milk the cow, then stoke the woodstove until the heat was just right. I loved that this Nana's Nana did it "By guess and by gosh." The story travels through the years, with even pages showing the isolation during the Pandemic, a time when many started baking. Other pages tell of the variety of breads people make, most with the same ingredients. They include Soman's wonderful double-page spread of seven kinds, including "nana rolls". There is a long afterward by the author and the recipe! 

           This came out in the 1980s, and has brief descriptions of the immigrant experiences of families, adults and an emphasis on the children's lives. Freedman also explains how the photos came to be. Though it was illegal for children to work under the age of fourteen, most did to help their families. One example is a boy who rose at 4 am, raced to a bakery, delivered orders for several hours, then raced off to school, then back to deliver more after. He was paid $1.75 weekly. The photos are poignant, starting with the first experiences at Ellis Island and showing numerous "jobs" that children did. I enjoyed it, though I knew some of it because I have visited Ellis Island. Sadly, libraries may not carry it anymore, though it's still available to order. 

Now Reading! I have an advanced copy of Pam Jenoff's Last Twilight in Paris, and am just starting The Squad by Christine Soontornvat 

Poetry Friday - Finding Old Things

        It's Poetry Friday, and Kat Apel is hosting HERE at Kats Whiskers with a poem to read, then laugh, meow and bark.   Thanks for hosting, Kat! 

   

           I've been organizing and cleaning out the last of Christmas things. This time, it's a paper bag full of past Christmas cards, some blank ones, address stickers, various holiday stickers and some old holiday quotes I like. Also, placed there last year from another box of old family papers, I added a group of newspaper clippings, all appearing to be from the Kansas City Star, 1948. I think they're from my maternal grandmother because of other things in the box. I found one lovely poem, not about the holiday itself, but about winter, which we in Denver had a big taste of this week! We had a very dry December, and this snow, while not a huge amount, felt truly heaven-sent. I posted on FB that I was positive the trees were dancing.

         On the fronts and backs of these clippings were also ads, and you might like to see a few of those prices! Of course, salaries 77 years ago were much smaller, yet they are still surprising!

Enjoy! 

my side yard

        I researched Anobel Armour and found three books, and the picture books were illustrated by Bill and Bernard Martin, whom I recognize. I couldn't find a photo of any of the books! 

Wishing you all a lovely week ahead, weather-wise or otherwise! I want also to show my concern for those who are losing homes and lives in the terrible California fires. 

Monday Reading - Beginning A New Year

          

    Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! I've been reading various things lately, trying to catch up with magazine articles. Now I have two books going, one from the Heavy Medal Mock Newbery list (It's almost time for the awards!) and one that will be published later in the month, an ARC from Publisher's Weekly. They are A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga (imagination plus!) and Pam Jenoff's Last Twilight in Paris (intriguing so far, connecting in history from the Nazis in Paris to a future time). The holidays were wonderful with family and friends making merry! I hope all of you had a great time, however you celebrated!

       Happy New Year wishes to everyone!

Thanks to Candlewick Press
for my copy!

               This is such a sweet story that I read it very fast, but this time of year is busy so I'm just now sharing about it. Middle school boy Evan keeps to himself much of the time, has a few friends, but mainly on the bus ride home. He feels he doesn't fit much of anywhere, even at home with a mother who hardly speaks to him and a father immersed in carving wood creations, which make a lot of money. There are no money worries, but in this boy's life, loneliness worries until a border collie who seems to know the boy needs "something" starts following Evan and even joins him when he's running. Yet, like many stories, it gets complicated. Evan gains some better friends, and then the dog, after being gone for a while, arrives, clearly on a mission involving an abusive dog breeder. Added to that problem, a new "girl" friend enters Evan's life. She's witty but is on crutches, something to do with one of her legs. It's somewhat awkward on the bus when she joins right in! Not only do Dog (Yes, he really does "Answer to Dog") and Evan help each other, he helps the family, too. Hautman alternates the story-telling, letting both Evan and Dog tell their side of the story, an adventure in love and loss and, yes, also, hope and growing up. It's wonderful to be able to journey along! 

                  

         When you grew up, or perhaps when one of your parents grew up, was there a 'family' table that people treasured, making many memories there, at mealtimes, at big gatherings, or the regular ones? It seems to be what many remember! This book, written by  Wiley Blevins, raised in West Virginia, and Winsome Bingham, who immigrated as a child from Jamaica to the U.S. South, shows the joys and sorrows that happen around one table. For a long time at the table, a coal-mining family sits and eats, dyes Easter eggs, sews, and laughs, living their lives. Though they aren't rich with money, they are rich with love. Then, coal mines begin to close, and still, the bills arrive. The family must leave their home–and the table. 

         Later, a second family, driving home, spot a table (see that cover!). The father is a carpenter, brakes fast, and jumps out to examine it, sees that it's a unique piece of wood, well made. The memories begin again, as you can imagine, and one child wonders if sometimes, in the past, another child sat at the table. The table remembers! And Jason Griffin's illustrations show this history with loving expression. There are very personal letters from the authors and Griffin at the end. 

        What a wonderful thing it could be to have students write of personal memories at their tables! My brother uses our grandmother's beautiful round oak table, and he and I, along with our cousins, all have memories of sitting there for holidays or summer visits, doing projects! 

        Lives may vary, but no matter those differences, there is much that is similar within all of us, the love in families, sharing the time together, often around a table! 

 

         I love every book written by Atinuke, and now she and Angela Brooksbank collaborate again as they did on B Is For Baby and other "Baby" books. Here, Atinuke

takes us on a day's journey with a family, father, mother, four children, one a baby, on their way to the city, "L is for Lagos"! They come from a rural area, see "Lazy Lions", and a "Lonely Leopard", are "Lucky" to catch a bus after walking a while. Oh, my, the people and the jungle, then comes the city, which is "Large" and "Loud" as they "Listen". The story, with not many words, is told cleverly, weaving the appropriate "L" words in to tell about this exciting day, as Angela Brooksbank's lushly colored illustrations fill the pages with people and nature and city crowds surrounded by "large" buildings. One double-page spread is one where I Looked and Looked, a market with people selling and preparing and eating. And, the story, the "Last" (my "L" word) message is no matter where, "L is for Love"! 

        On a personal note, I also love the book because L is also for "Linda", my name! 

       It's a re-read, yet I'd forgotten most of it! This is the book that is said to have lifted Agatha Christie into the realm of "best" mystery writer, at least during her time. It also was criticized for breaking the rules of mysteries. You'll see. It's a curious story that will shock!

       Happy Reading! 

Poetry Friday - Fill Them Up

         It's Poetry Friday, and Mary Lee Hahn is hosting HERE at A(nother) Year of Reading.  Until you read her poem, you haven't seen anything, yet! Thanks for hosting, Mary Lee!

        I hope your holiday times have been filled with loving memories! Happy New Year!

  

            My family and I had a lovely holiday, and now it's a new year, when I am most often excited about what that will bring. However, when hearing news of yesterday's horrific tragedy in New Orleans, I am saddened by this beginning, sorry most for those whose loved ones were killed, sorry for those injured, for those who are witnesses, sad for those who now must take care of all of it to investigate, to assess what went terribly wrong. You all know some of those will miss any sort of calmness these coming weeks, maybe all the year. I am sad for everyone who had to hear this news. 

            I tried to write about it and it felt somehow that I was pre-empting those who were there and most affected. So, I have a box full of words, went to it, wanting to write something to start 2025. It's one of those prompts that one rarely knows what will emerge, but I had fun with it, a kind of day-dreaming about the subject. I'm sure that "THEY" will hold dreams for good times in 2025, too! You'll see!

                                                     Pet Bowl Stock photos by Vecteezy

Bowls-Defined

 

Bowls full-fill our lives,

 

Emptied by the hungry:

             Soup-slurpers

             Cereal-crunchers

             Tea-tasters,

Used by the organizers:

            Key-keepers

            Coin-savers

            Shell-collectors

Savored by the cooks:

           Sugar-sweeteners

           Cake-mixers

           Salt-pinchers

Chomped by the pets:

          Dog-lappers

          Fish-swimmers

          Cat-munchers

Created by the artists

         Wheel-turners

         Clay-bakers

         Pine needle weavers

Variety is the spice of life

         and bowls.

           Linda Baie ©