Remember what it was like to be a harried mom in the shoe store? (Or was that just yesterday?) In this Life Notes edition, L.L. Barkat recalls all too well — with dragon scales as part of the deal.
Share the Fun of Take Your Poet to Work Day with our New Poster
It’s almost Take Your Poet to Work Day! Share the fun of this annual celebration in your workplace with our new printable poster.
Fun Reading Activities: Color & Trace “Molly On the Books”
Early readers Molly and Joe want to help a child learn to read. Learn fun facts about books and write a page-turner limerick with this fun reading activity coloring page.
A Legend in Iran: The Poems of Shamseddin Hafez
Shamseddin Hafez, a contemporary of Chaucer, is still considered the greatest poet of Iran, and even taxi drivers sing his ghazals.
Animate: River Valley Poetry Prompt
Some of the very first complex human societies began here. This week’s poetry prompt asks you to imagine yourself as a natural trough in the earth— a valley. Join us, animate yourself into the hollow of a sloping river valley, and create poetry.
Reading in the Wild: June’s Pages
Come learn the secrets of being a wild reader. Or just share your June pages. Megan Willome leads the way, with her June goodreads.
10 Delightful Ways to Keep Your Kids’ Summer Reading in Swing
How many books does it take to save your child from the Summer Reading Slide? Get the answer, plus 10 totally fun ideas for how to keep summer reading in swing!
Fun Reading Activities: Color & Trace “Joe, a Grill and Brisket”
Early readers Molly and Joe want to help a child learn to read. Learn fun facts about brisket and write a briskety good limerick with this fun reading activity coloring page.
Writing Workshop: Words You Can Taste!
In this delicious food-writing workshop, you’ll have a chance to look at popular favorites (potatoes, bread, cakes, anyone?) and a rainbow of foods you may or may not have ever developed a love for (eggplant, olives, sugar-coated rose petals?). Come write words you can taste!
Mountain Pilgrimage: Poetry Prompt
Take a mountain pilgrimage with us and see how a few beat poets spent time at a beloved mountain. Grab your hiking boots and a pencil, and write some poetry in the serenity of mountain air.
Thank You Notes: Soap
Thank You Notes is a monthly writing prompt to express our thanks to a particular person, place or thing. This month we’re saying thank you to soap.
Take Your Poet to Work Day is Coming!
Take Your Poet to Work Day is just around the corner. Start planning now (and eating Popsicles) to get your favorite poet ready for work on July 19!
Fun Reading Activities: Color & Trace “Molly, Bread and Butter”
Early readers Molly and Joe want to help a child learn to read. Learn fun facts about butter and write a buttery good limerick with this fun reading activity coloring page.
The Family Table: Poetry Prompt
Pick your chair, have a seat and write some poetry with us about life around the family table. There are plenty of stories to share.
The Wild 100 Summer Book Challenge
What do you think is beautiful? What is wild about the color yellow? Join Callie Feyen and her kids in a summer challenge to read 100 books and find out.
Fun Reading Activities: Color & Trace “A Buffalo and Joe”
Meet Molly and Joe, two wide-eyed early readers who can help a child learn to read. With this fun reading activity coloring page, meet the mischievous buffalo, too. Then use the “buffalo fun facts” to pen a limerick!
Motherhood: Family Ties Poetry Prompt
There are no deeper family ties than that between a mother and child. This week’s poetry prompt invites you to read poems from the perspective of an adult child yearning to be rocked to sleep once again; and the perspective of a mother with grown children, enchanted by memory. Let these poems inspire you to write your own poetry about the family ties of motherhood.
Life Notes: The Secret to a Happy Marriage Is Not What I Thought It Was
The secret to a happy marriage might have something to do with cartwheels. Or not. Find out the real deal in this humorous Life Notes, from Megan Willome.
Chinese Lanterns: Art by Day, Magic by Night
Stumbling onto a colorful Chinese lantern festival while out on a bike ride may hold a key to answer Mary Oliver’s question about your one wild and precious life.
Regional Tour: Borrowed Time at the Maui Ocean Center
A trip to Maui Ocean Center’s vast aquarium offers opportunity for Laurie Klein to contemplate how a place can envelop as well as imprint itself on the soul.