Getting Parents Involved April 2006
By Sandy Meagher

• A beautiful entry into poetry for new parents, grandparents or a young child is Baby Days: A Quilt of Rhymes and Pictures by Belinda Downes (Candlewick Press, 2005, ISBN: 0-763-62786-0). The gentle poems, rhymes, and illustrations are great for new beginnings. As a gift to my grandchildren, I found a quilter who allowed the new moms to choose their own fabric and pattern for each child. They are inscribed from Grandma and Poppie with the child's name, date of birth and weight.
• When I introduce Jane Yolen's books I often mention that I don't think this prolific woman has time to sleep with over 250 books published. Recently her poetry books have just been great for introducing basic concepts to children. Her most recent book is Count Me a Rhyme: Animal Poems by the Number (Wordsong, 2006, ISBN: 1-590-78345-X). Each page has a beautiful photograph by Jason Stemple, Jane's son. The poems are delightful, and some are for two voices. The numbers from one to 10 also include a synonym and roman numeral.
• If you are planning a day trip or visit to a museum of art, don't forget to investigate their children's programs that are available. A lovely book to use in conjunction with the trip is Paint Me a Poem: Poems Inspired by Masterpieces of Art by Justine Rowden (Boyds Mills Press, 2005, ISBN: 1-590-78289-5).
• Children like to hear poetry, so carry some books in the car for reading while stuck in traffic or when waiting in the car. Animals are a forever favorite for children so try Carnival of the Animals: Poems Inspired by Saint-Saëns' Music edited by Judith Chernaik that comes with a CD (Candlewick Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-763-62960-X). The book Animal Mischief by Rob Jackson (Boyds Mills Press, 2006, ISBN: 1-590-78254-2) not only includes wonderful animal poems but also gives good, true information at the end of the book about each animal represented. Of course a dose of humor never hurts.
• For laughs, try Mabel O'Leary Put Peas in Her Ear-y by Mary Delaney (Little Brown & Co., 2005, ISBN: 0-316-13506-2). Another to create giggles is Caveman Manners and Other Polite Poems: All Aboard Poetry Reader Station Stop by David Steinberg (Grossett & Dunlap, 2006, ISBN: 0-448-44109-8). To continue the humor, don't forget Oh, No! Where Are My Pants? and Other Disasters: Poems by Lee Bennett Hopkins (HarperCollins, 2005, ISBN: 0-688-17860-X).

Be sure to talk about the poems you've read. Ask your children how they feel when they hear these poems; what do they think of? Can they think of other words to describe the animals? What is a funny thing that happened to characters in the poems? What makes your children laugh? You will be amazed at the discussions poetry can prompt. Start today; it will be worth the journey.

Sandy Meagher is the Library Department Chairperson and School Librarian in the Wayne Highlands School District, Honesdale, PA.