April is a wonderful time for National Poetry Month. Flowers are blooming, the leaves are popping, insects are buzzing. Spring is a magical time of rebirth, which seems can only be fully and joyfully expressed in the form of poetry.
For example, the bright yellow brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) are blooming on the roadsides right now in Arizona.
The bright yellow masses inspired this simple acrostic poem:
Brittlebush
Bright yellow flowers
Rattlesnakes slip into shade
Indigenous to Arizona
Tortoises munch
Tarantulas wander by
Lizards sunbathe quietly
Elegant bouquet
Bees slurp, then zip
Underneath is cool
Sun loving
Heat resistant
By Nathan and Roberta
And this haiku:
bee sits on flower
buzz buzz bee sips sweet nectar
quick! next flower waits
Roberta Gibson
If you are in the mood to read some insect-inspired poetry, then Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman (illustrated by Eric Beddows), is an absoulutely wonderful older book to pull out and enjoy once again. It was the winner of 1989 Newbery Medal.
On page 3, the grasshopper poem is a perfect accompaniment to a good bout of spring fever.
Enjoy!
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 64 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (December 28, 2004)
ISBN-10: 0064460932
ISBN-13: 978-0064460934
Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices
Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. For more information, stop by Picture Book of the Day. This week’s post is at Shelf-Employed.