Celebrating Poetry

Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets

Authors: Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth

Illustrator: Ekua Holmes

After meeting Kwame Alexander at a teaching event in New York, I knew he was one of the most creative and thought-provoking people I had ever met. Anytime I have an opportunity to read something he was a part of, I jump at the opportunity. I have read his verse novels but was happy to learn that he had compiled an anthology as well. He has such a special way with words and makes them come alive. He says in the preface of this anthology, “A poem is a small but wonderful thing. It has the power to reach inside of you, to ignite something in you, and to change you in ways you never imagined.” This entire anthology sparks such a desire in me to keep writing and for our students to continue to play with words.

This anthology is a special tribute to twenty of Alexander’s favorite poets that have inspired him and contributed to his writerly life today. He, along with Colderley and Wentworth, wrote original poems that pay tribute to these inspirational poets and celebrate their lives.

My favorite poem in the anthology is “In Every Season” which celebrates Robert Frost. This is such a fresh take on his infamous poem “A Road Less Traveled” where they talk about the new journeys we wander through. One of the most defining lines that stuck out to me is “…life is too much like a pathless wood. Still I have lived so long and traveled far…” I think Wentworth did a great job with creating a new poem and paying tribute to such a class.

I love this fresh perspective of an anthology too! The collage illustrations that go along with each poem are beautiful and capture not just the feeling the poem evokes but also brings excitement. I think this anthology is a beautiful tribute to poetry and has something in it for everyone of all ages to enjoy. This would make a beautiful addition to any library and I can’t wait to share it with my students! It’s just overall STUNNING!

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music

Author: Margarita Engle

Illustrator: Rafael Lopez

After learning that Margarita Engle is the current Children’s Poet Laureate and a Newbery Honor Winner, I was interested in reading more of her work.  Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music shows the poem “Drum Dream Girl” in a beautiful picture book form. Engle’s rich language and impeccable word choice paired with Lopez’s beautiful illustrations made this story so enjoyable. As I was reading, I felt like I was clinging to each stanza and phrase. It reads almost like a song with great attention to rhythm. She uses poetic devices like alliteration (drumbeat dreams), onomatopoeia (boom, boom, booming), repetition (and she practiced…), and precise line breaks. She was very particular about putting strong verbs on lines by themselves or making certain words stand out for greater effect.

When I first read the poem, I read it by itself without the picture book. To be honest, I didn’t care for the poem much at all. It seemed complicated and not very exciting...at least it didn’t peak my interest at all. When I picked up the copy of the picture book, I was immediately hooked. The illustrations bring this poem to life and make it such a vibrant and exciting poem. The poem is about a girl’s dream to drum despite the fact that girls are not supposed to be drummers in her country. She practiced in secret but eventually got to share her music with others and live her dream. This poem is made even more special knowing it is based on a true story.