April 2009 Newsletter

from children's author, Dianne Ochiltree

Hello everyone,

It's POETRY MONTH!

Earlier this year, I was privileged to listen to master storyteller and artist Ashley Bryan perform, with eloquence and passion, an evening's worth of poetry.  Selected from a wide range of poetic traditions, each piece was recited from memory---an impressive feat in itself---accompanied by gesture and facial expression which truly brought the words to life.  Ashley's performance reminded us that to take the full measure of a poem, it must not be recited by rote or merely read in silence.  Taking the time to read thoughtfully and repeatedly, to weigh each word or phrase, brings depth and personal meaning to what the poet has put on the page.  It unfolds itself, like a spring blossom.  So perhaps it's appropriate that April was selected as a month to focus our attention on poetry. 

The Academy of American Poets (http://www.poets.org) has again done a wonderful job of providing teachers, librarians, and others with all kinds of good ideas for how to celebrate and educate throughout Poetry Month.  Look for links to topics such as: What is National Poetry Month/  FAQ about NPM, Poem in Your Pocket Day, Free Verse Photo Competition, the Poem-a-Day e-newsletter, and 30 Ways to Celebrate NPM. 

While the Academy of American Poets site should be your first stop on a Poetry Month cyber-tour, don't forget that there are many other organizations ready to help us bring a greater appreciation of poetry to our communities:  publishers, library and teacher associations, booksellers.  From staged Shakespeare readings to coffee house poetry slams, there's a way to celebrate that suits your style.  So get googling for all the ideas out there, then jump in and enjoy!

Happy reading and writing to you all---

Dianne Ochiltree,

Author of books for the very young…and young at heart    

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