On a frosty day in suburban Illinois, Tweetspeak’s Poet Laura, Tania Runyan, gathers up four hens and an Emily Dickinson collection for an adventure in reading poems to chickens.
Book Club Announcement: Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky
In our upcoming book club we’ll consider Ilya Kaminsky’s collection, Deaf Republic, and ask it guide us in a reimagining of what it means to be a hero, of disability, of the movements that compel us to survive.
Poems From the Coffee Shop: Chai Latte and Sanctuary
Where do you find sanctuary? Come with L.L. Barkat to the coffee shop and enter into a poem that glimmers, and maybe offers something to go along with your chai tea (or coffee).
Poems to Listen By: Sharing the Canopy 06—Buddy Story
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
The Silver Chair Book Club: A Pattern That Others Made
In this final installment of our book club discussion of The Silver Chair, our trio rescue the Prince, and make their way back to Narnia, but not before discovering an important truth about the others with whom we share space in the world.
“The House of Seven Gables” by Nathaniel Hawthorne – Still a Fascinating Story
“The House of Seven Gables” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is more Gothic romance than ghost tale; whatever the genre, it remains a fascinating story.
Poetry Prompt: Use Your Five Senses
How can writing a poem about the five senses improve a bad day? Author Callie Feyen shows us how, with the help of a first-grade friend.
Top 10 Ideas for How to Start a Poetry Club
Exploring poetry together can make your friendships (and your life) more interesting—whether at home, school, or in the workplace. Here are 10 great ideas for how to start a poetry club and keep the goodness going.
By Heart: “Snow-flakes” + New Edgar Lee Masters Challenge
Join author Megan Willome as she learns Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s ‘Snow-flakes’ By Heart.
Literary Analysis: The Yellow Wall-Paper Affects Us All
The Yellow Wall-Paper may seem like a simple story on the surface, but it’s actually quite complex. This analysis of the classic 1892 story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman probes that complexity in fascinating ways.
The Silver Chair Book Club: The Darkness Around Us Is Deep
In the dramatic escape scene of a children’s story, we discover important truths about staying awake to our lives and the world around us. Join us for the latest installment in our book club discussion of The Silver Chair.
Poems From the Coffee Shop: Earl Grey and Loch Ness Weariness
When nothing goes as planned, what’s Plan B? Maybe coffee, maybe tea. Especially at a beautiful coffee shop, with poems like “Loch Ness” on your mind.
Wisdom Literature: “Desert Tracings” – Six Arabian Odes
In “Desert Tracings,” Michael Sells translates six pre-Islamic Arabian odes created in the oral tradition of Bedouin tribes before the rise of Islam.
Poetry Prompt: Focus on End Words
This week author Callie Feyen reads the picture book ‘David Gets In Trouble’ and invites us to focus on end words. Do they make a mini-poem?
‘The Little Prince’: Not for Grownups
To find the wisdom of ‘The Little Prince,’ author Megan Willome says don’t look directly at the story or it will blind you, like sun on desert sand. And don’t be a grownup.
Poems From the Coffee Shop—Matcha and A Blessing for the Exhausted
Join author L.L. Barkat in the coffee shop (and the attic) and consider the joy of poetry and matcha, for your weary soul.
The Silver Chair Book Club: The Circus Won’t Find the Park
Our young heroes continue their quest to rescue the Prince, and discover a hard learned secret about being in it together as our discussion of The Silver Chair continues.
Top 10 Reasons Why “Grandfather” Is the Best Job in the World
Being a grandfather is the best job in the world, and here are the top 10 reasons why. It’s also possibly the easiest, because your grandchildren teach you.
Reading for Curiosity: Keeping Up With The Monkey
A little chocolate, a little curious monkey business, an inventive teacher and suddenly a young reader is making sweet strides with the tricky words.
Children’s Book Club: ‘Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime’
Grab your mushy gushy Valentines! Join author Megan Willome for the Children’s Book Club as she reads ‘Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime.’