This week's Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Irene Latham's Live. Love. Explore!

While we're on the subject of poetry, let me suggest you take a look at the Poetry Stretch Results at The Miss Rumphius Effect. The challenge was to write a poem about yearning -- well worth a look!

If you haven't grown tired of all the white stuff falling from the sky and piling up in monster drifts, you might enjoy a visit to Booklights where you'll find several fun "Snow" books reviewed.
Friday's Famous First: Can you name the title and author of this first line?

"When my brother fish turned thirteen, we moved to the deepest part of inland because of the hurricane and, of course, the fact that he'd caused it."

I'm passing along information from one of the many note-worthy posts at Jen Robinson's Book Page. She points out that Katherine Paterson, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature has an article in the New York Daily News on the impact of technology on reading. Both Jen's post and the New York Daily News article are definitely worth reading. Thanks, Jen.

Here's the answer to last week's Famous First:

"Give me a push, Beast," Emily called to her friend Richard Best." Fish Face (The Kids of the Polk Street School -- written by Patricia Reilly Giff, illustrated by Blanche Sims.

This week's Poetry Friday Round-Up is being hosted by Anastasia Suen at Picture Book of the Day.

Here are some of the Picture Books in rhyme that are popular with my teachers, parents and students:

"Millions of Snowflakes" written by Mary McKenna Siddals, illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles -- a celebration of winter.

"Is Your Mama a Llama?" written by Deborah Guarino, illustrated by Steven Kellogg -- a favorite read-aloud.

"Hilda Must Be Dancing" written by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Suzanne Watts -- 2008-2009 CYRM nominee.

"Bats at the Beach" written and illustrated by Brain Lies -- another 2008-2009 CYRM nominee last year.


Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author or this first line?

"Give me a push, Beast," Emily called to her friend Richard Best.

It's Writer's Wednesday

Last week I wrote about the circumstances that surround the ways in which I write. For more on modes of writing check out the great interview with author and illustrator Warren Hanson over at CYNSATIONS -- the blog by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Are you looking for a book?
There are a wide variety of reading lists available. Consider looking for a selection of books related to your personal interests. For example, the property where I live is A National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat so I took a look at The NWF Grab Bag of Books.

Friday's Famous First:
"It was in May, 1918, that a new friend and companion came into my life: a character, a personality, and a ring-tailed wonder." Newbery Honor book - Rascal by Sterling North.

This week's Poetry Friday Round Up is at Liz Scanlon's Liz in Ink.

For all of you out there who are involved in children's literacy as teachers, librarians, parents, etc. check out the January 20th article Make It Easy for New Readers to Succeed over at Reading Tub.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line?

"It was in May, 1918, that a new friend and companion came into my life: a character, a personality, and a ring-tailed wonder."

It's Writer's Wednesday and I've been thinking about how and when I write.

The fact is, it changes from time to time. I love it when I have an idea that has me humming with possibilities...when I can scarcely wait to get to my computer and my fingers can't keep up with the story that is brimming over with fun.

Most of the time though it's more about the need to be very disciplined. I'll sit at my computer even when I feel uninspired or would rather not. At first it's such a struggle...where will I start? What do I really want to say? Is this idea any good? On those days it seems like I could find a hundred excuses to do something else. I tend to feel disconnected from my work which can be a good time to edit, but not always a good time to create. Until...some small change in my manuscript or notes sets off sparks. Then, if I'm paying attention, I may have an opportunity to explore a new idea or take my story in a new direction.

On the filpside, it seems there are often days when I honestly can't be at my computer do to other commitments. There are also those times when the story that's in my head hasn't taken on enough form to be set down on paper. On those days, although I might not be physically writing, I will turn stories over in my mind trying on different characters, voices, and plots as I look for The One.