World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art from The Metropolitan Museum edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins

                     During this unprecedented time in history it is easy to forget what day it is or in my case what month. I totally forgot that it is April, which means it is National Poetry Month.  At this point in time I am missing The Met Bookshop even more, it is my little corner of a great institution where I get to talk about things I love. While I enjoy talking about the museum itself, I love talking about books even more.  I especially love to talk about children's books.  I miss making book displays and introducing visitors and staff to all the wonderful titles we have to offer.  When visitors come into the store asking for a book that can introduce The Met to a child, it makes my day.  We have so many books to choose from that I take them to look at each and every one of them.

World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art   and edited by acclaimed poet Lee Bennett Hopkins is one of my favorite books to recommend.  It was one of the first books published after I started working at The Met which makes it very special in my memory.  More importantly, it is a wonderful book for the whole family.  It's the ideal gift for a family that has children of different ages.  Poetry is perfect....it is neither too young nor too old.

I also love this book because the poets involved really did write about actual art from The Met.  When the book was first released we celebrated by inviting a few poets to speak about the source of their inspiration.  Hearing the joy each poet had in writing their poetry was truly special.  Though Mr Hopkins has sadly passed away,  I am grateful that one of his last anthologies was for The Met. World Make Way is a beautiful legacy. 

New Beginnings.......

Life seems to be always handing us new beginnings.  I have never liked August because it still gives me that back to school feeling.  But in a way even though the summer is ending the first day school was a new beginning.  It turns out every morning or day or week or month is a new beginning.

I have missed writing this blog, even if I knew that no one was reading it.  It gave me my connection to children's books that I have always loved.  No matter where I am or what I do if I see a book especially a children's book I need to see what it is and what it is about.

This past year has been busy and stressful....work combined with finding a forever home has consumed me.  When in early May the children's books in The Met Bookshop were shelved in the main shop I was so happy.  I was again close to the books I loved.  Not that I don't love all the books in the shop but my heart is happiest when I am recommending a children's book.

So many wonderful books have come into the shop.  Here are a few that I have loved reading and recommending.......

The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by 

Anna Llenas from Sterling Publishing is a great book that not only teaches about colors but about feelings as well.   A fun story-time book.  

Rosa's Animals: The Story of Rosa Bonheur and Her Painting Menagerie by Maryann MacDonald is a beautiful book that tells the story of painter and sculptor Rosa Bonheur.  I love finding out about artists I never knew about especially women artists.  There are so few who are celebrated and Rosa should be celebrated.  Her life and work is inspirational.  Her artwork is extraordinary! 

World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art From The Metropolitan Museum of Art edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins

I would be remiss if I didn't write about a book based on artwork from where I work.....but even if I didn't work at The Met I would recommend this book. The artwork is accompanied by new poems that were commissioned just for this book.  Poets were asked to write about works that inspired them.  A wonderful collection for every  library.  

Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer

I love Poetry Month...especially when I find find new books to read and uncover.  This one jumped out at me because one of my favorite people is my nephew and godson Daniel.  He is a bit old for this book as he is in college but it still reminds me of him when he was a little boy.  I remember our walks with his constant monologue and questions about all that we encountered....from cars to the pond and animals we met along the way.

Daniel Finds a Poem written and illustrated by Micha Archer is a wonderful introduction of poetry for a child.  What is Poetry? This sweet book is the story of a little boy who wants the answer to that question.  He discovers it all around him as he walks through the park from the animals and creatures that he meets.  At the end of the book Daniel presents all he has discovered in the form of a poem.  This book is not only an introduction to poetry but to nature as well.  I love the lyrical way in which it is written alongside it's sweet illustrations.  This is a perfect book for a classroom, library or a child's bookshelf.  A great book to be read again and again.

FLUTTER AND HUM / ALETEO Y ZUMBIDO Animal Poems / Poemas de Animales by Julie Paschkis

My busy season has officially begun.  Which means late nights for a morning person.  I have been trying to recommend a book each week so as to keep up with my blog. But it has been challenging.   I was so excited to learn that I have been accepted as a judge in Poetry for the second round of CYBILS.  Because of this I thought I would recommend today a beautiful Poetry book about animals. 

Flutter and Hum/ Aleteo Y Zumbido: Animal Poems/ Poemas de Animales by Julie Paschkis caught my eye because of it's striking cover.  I don't speak Spanish but I was intrigued by the design of the book. As I started reading I realized how Ms Paschkis had seamlessly combined words and pictures. I love how the illustrations have words intermingled to further clarify the poems. It is this mingling of words and pictures that made me truly love this book. This is the kind of book that is perfect for the classroom.  I could see each spread being made into a poster for display. The fact that each poem is also in Spanish is an added bonus.  It is not necessary for someone to read Spanish and it is also not necessary for someone to read English in order to enjoy this beautiful book. 

  It is a perfect gift for not just bilingual families to read together at bedtime or anytime.  Most children I know love animals and this book makes a great introduction to the animal world.  The poems are whimsical and soothing at the same time.  A beautiful edition to any child's or classroom library.