Chris Raschka, Bridget Zinn Auction & Maybelle Reviews!

I'm a little groggy and soggy from four days of rain and no outdoor play with the girls so what could be more amusing (Disney aside please) than poetry! A Kick in the Head An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms is an illustrated collection of 29 poems by various writers each written in a different form such as a cinquain, sonnet, ballad, ode, haiku and others. A short explanation of the rules for each particular poetic form is listed in the back of the book as well as at the bottom of the page. The author suggests reading the poem once then reading the rules of the poetic form and then rereading the poem. Notice if you experience the poem differently and appreciate the art form more.

The team that created A Poke in the Eye, Paul B. Janeczko and Chris Raschka have brought us a vibrant, amusing and instructional book. Caldecott award winning artist Chris Raschka's paint and torn paper collage illustrations compliment the poetry of Shakespeare, Gary Soto, Paul B. Janeczko and other greats.

I have yet to get my hands on the newly released, A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing and Shout, the third illustrated collection of poetry by this team but if I like it look for another review here.

I have news from the Kidlitosphere. Jone MacCulloch author of the blogs, MacLibrary and Deowriter is organizing an aution for fellow blogger and children's author, Bridget Zinn who we pray is getting stronger and healthier each day with love and treatment. Treatment is expensive and to help offset some of the medical bills many of us have contributed to this very important cause. Jone is posting the details at BridgetZinnAuction. We hope to have lots of participation and Bees Knees Books is donating a copy of Maybelle, Bunny of the North and a sweet plush companion bunny. There are some terrific items up for auction so please stop by and participate.

Maybelle, Bunny of the North is getting some great reviews and it's very exciting! We are honored to receive reviews from these writers/educators whose blog posts are always well crafted. I'm posting the links to three reviews in order of posting date below:

The Reading Tub

Write for a Reader

The Book Chook

Thank you Terry, Shelly and Susan for including this small press debut and introducing author/illustrator Keith Patterson to your readers!

I think you will enjoy this clip of Chris Raschka showing some of his original picture book mocks. Now I feel inspired to spend the rainy day indoors making little books together : )