preparing the flats
for planting–first I remove
all the spider webs
© 2015 Loree Griffin Burns
preparing the flats
for planting–first I remove
all the spider webs
© 2015 Loree Griffin Burns
dead holiday wreath–
as I reach for it, my boots
sink into the mud
© 2015 Loree Griffin Burns
brown-headed cowbird
joins the flock at the feeder–
no one makes a peep
© 2015 Loree Griffin Burns
henhouse spectacle:
seven perfect Easter eggs,
still warm
© 2015 Loree Griffin Burns
pruning apple trees–
clipped branches will sit right here
until the snow melts
© 2015 Loree Griffin Burns
the sun and I stare
at the ice-covered garden–
Holy Week prayers
© 2015 Loree Griffin Burns
Author and poet Liz Garton Scanlon has challenged herself–and the rest of us, too–to celebrate National Poetry Month by writing one haiku every day. I’m SO in. Here’s my offering for today:
holy smoke follows
the casket and the mourners
outside; crocuses
Join us, won’t you? Liz offers a few tips on writing haiku in this blog post, and here is a glowing review of my favorite book on the form, SEEDS FROM A BIRCH TREE, by Clark Strand, in case you need inspiration.
Happy haiku-ing!
I’m thrilled to announce that The Nature Generation has announced the short list for its annual Green Earth Book Awards, and they’ve included Beetle Busters!
Here’s some information on the awards taken from The Nature Generation website:
The Nature Generation created the Green Earth Book Award to promote books that inspire children to grow a deeper appreciation, respect, and responsibility for their natural environment. This is an annual award for books that best raise awareness of the beauty of our natural world and the responsibility we have to protect it.
The winners in each of five categories (picture book, children’s fiction, young adult fiction, children’s nonfiction, young adult nonfiction) will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2015. You know I’ll keep you posted.
On this day devoted to love, me and a few of my author pals have come together to show teachers and librarians just how much we love them.
Lynda Malally Hunt, Sarah Albee, Anna Staniszewski, Augusta Scattergood, Caroine Starr Rose, Jennifer Richard Jacobson, Jess Keating, Laurie Ann Thompson, Leslie Bulion, Nikki Loftin, Stacy DeKeyser, Jennifer Nielsen, Jacqueline Woodson, and I have each recently published a new book. Fiction. Nonfiction. Poetry. Novels. Photo essays. Picture Books. We are a diverse bunch. Together, our new books make one heck of an eclectic library … and we want YOU to own it. And guess what? We’re adding two classics, On the Road to Mr. Mineo’s by Barbara O’Connor and Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech. HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY RESIST?
Here, take a look at the collection:
Don’t you want to read them all? HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! You can read them all! Here’s what you need to do:
To enter our giveaway, simply click over to Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s blog, read the contest rules, and leave a comment on her Authors Love Teachers post. (Here is a link.)
You can also enter by tweeting about the contest using the hashtag #MGAuthorsLoveTeachers and linking to Lynda’s giveaway blog post. (Again, here is the link.)
We’ll collect all entries, draw a random name, and announce the lucky winner on the morning of February 18. That winner will receive a copy of each and every book, signed and mailed directly to them by the author. Please feel free to spread the love to other teachers and librarians and readers by sharing a link to this blog post or to Lynda’s blog post. But hurry. Giveaway entries close on February 17.
One more thing: a fantastic group of young adult authors are doing a similar giveaway. Check out the lineup, and feel free to enter their giveaway as well. (If entering via twitter, be sure to use their hashtag, #YAAuthorsLoveTeachers.)
Good luck! Happy Reading!
I am in love with this introduction to birding from Annette LeBlanc Cate and Candlewick Press. Seriously. It is irresistibly funny and pleasantly informative, and I’ve just added it to my Resource page for Citizen Scientists. (Click here to see that page.)
Look Up! is just the book to get you and your kids ready for this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count, which happens to take place this weekend, February 13-16 . Click here for information on how to participate from your own backyard.
Happy reading! Happy birding!