Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday is hosted today by These Four Corners.

My selection is " Hope Through Heartsongs" written and illustrated by Mattie J.T. Stepanek.

Mattie became a New York Times bestselling author at the age of 11 with the publication of his poetry collection titled "Heartsongs." He began writing poetry as a way to cope with the death of his brother and followed his first book with four others: ''Journey Through Heartsongs,'' ''Hope Through Heartsongs,'' ''Celebrate Through Heartsongs'' and ''Loving Through Heartsongs.''

Free-verse poems explore life, death, love, loss, and faith with both innocence and wisdom.

Mattie died in 2004 at the age of 13 from complications of muscular dystrophy, but his words of hope and joy continue to inspire readers of all ages.

One of his most often quoted remarks is  "remember to play after every storm."

Poetry Friday

My selection is "It's snowing! It's snowing!: winter poems" by Jack Prelutsky with pictures by Yossi Abolafia.

Prelutsky offers young readers poems that celebrate the season. Active and sometimes downright silly rhymes look at winter from a child's perspective.

 

 

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For Nonfiction Monday - - "Ben Franklin: his wit and wisdom from A-Z" written by Alan Schroeder and illustrated by John O'Brien.

Schroeder's book is a rich collection of Franklin miscellany neatly arranged as an entertaining alphabet book that touches on the personal, professional, and political life of one of America's most talented men. "A" covers almanac (Franklin's Poor Richards Almanack), his apprenticeship in a print shop, describes the glass armonica (Franklin's musical invention) and includes a mention of Abiah (Franklin's mother). The text is enriched by the inclusion of quotes and sayings related to the various topics under discussion.

O'Brien has illustrated a number of biographies and he brings his cartooning background to this work. The pictures capture the text with warmth and humor.