"Poem in Your Pocket Day" has been celebrated on a day in April - National Poetry Month - for almost 20 years. Normally it is a day where you keep a favorite poem in your pocket and share it with the people you run into throughout the day, but that is kind of hard to do this year, right? So what could you do instead? Well you can definitely share your Poem In Your Pocket with your family who is home with you, but you can also record yourself reading a poem you love and then share it with people you care about, like I am doing right now by sharing this poem with you. It is entitled "The Rose That Grew From Concrete" and was written by Tupac Shakur.
Have a favorite poem you'd like to share with me? Email it to [email protected] All right graphic novel lovers, here is a treat for you! The following webcomics are online, completely free, and totally awesome! That's right - just click the buttons below to start reading.
That's right, I'm talking right now to those of you who love love LOVE to read! To those of you who love books and who love authors and illustrators. I just got wind of the Everywhere Book Fest, happening online this coming Friday and Saturday, May 1st and 2nd.
What exactly is that, you may ask? It is a virtual gathering where there will be live and pre-recorded sessions, that you can watch through your web browser or on YouTube, with author and illustrators, and on all kinds of interesting topics! Why I'm really jazzed about this is that usually these things are only for teachers - which seems a little silly to me - but this one is for you too! As it says on their website, they are "bringing the book festival experience to young readers everywhere" - woohoo! The offerings look great! Authors will be speaking, reading from their works, and showing ways that even the youngest readers can make a difference in the world! There are sessions on graphic novels - yes! - and a picture book draw-off! The list goes on and on. Check out the schedule here! Cool news! TEDEd is hosting a month of daily Quests that will help you explore our incredible planet and show you how dependent we all are on our natural world. Every weekday between Earth Day (yesterday) and World Environment Day (June 5th) they'll drop new amazing facts on you, and show you meaningful ways that you can get involved.
The first week of Earth School will show you how all the stuff you need and use comes from the Earth. Things got off to a great start yesterday with a Quest about the food we eat, and the question "Should we eat bugs? Yes, bugs. Many people do, all over the world. Did you know that in Cambodia they sell delicious fried tarantulas in the marketplaces? Or that certain worms are absolutely delicious simmered in sauce? It's true. I'd eat bugs. In fact I have, a cricket that tasted like a rice crispie. Would you eat bugs? Watch the intro above and then head over to Earth School to jump in! Scroll down below the video to where it says Week 1: The Nature of Our Stuff to get started. Actually, Happy 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! That's right, every April 22nd, since 1970, we have celebrated our wonderful home, Planet Earth. But of course, besides appreciating our planet for the totally incredible place that it is, Earth Day is also a day to think about ways that we can care for our planetary home, and keep it healthy for the future. One of the best ways you can help our planet is to commit to recycling. And not just today, because it's Earth Day, but every day. I know that it is hard to get into the routine of recycling, or to even know how, but I guarantee that once you jump in and start it will quickly become a routine and you will do it without even thinking about it. Already recycling at home? Good for you! Check out this video for some important recycling safety tips, and then spread the word: Personally, I'm all about upcycling. What is that, you may ask? Upcycling is taking something that is no longer in use and giving it a new function, usually into something more practical, creative, and beautiful. For instance, my favorite purse. It used to be old tires and soda bottles, but now it has a second life, helping me carry my necessities wherever I need to go. Interested in perhaps upcycling something during this "At Home Earth Day"? Check out the video below for an easy idea that uses old soda bottles -you all most have one of those handy - and that is perfect for this gardening time of year. Earth Day Week? Yes, week, because this is a holiday to really get excited about! Today looks to be a beautiful day, so lets start the week off by getting outside! The list below is from Nature Play WA a website from the Government of Western Australia. It looks to me like people way down there - I just checked and Google told me that Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is about 11, 384 miles away from Malone - really love the outdoors and know how to make the most of it! They certainly have some great ideas of ways to enjoy nature while social distancing.
For instance, cloud watching - I love doing that! And lately the weather has been perfect for it, with big fluffy white clouds blowing across a clear blue sky. Start by picking a good spot - my back deck is the best - and then lie back and look up. Note the different shapes, colors, and sizes of the clouds. Then let your imagination go: what do the clouds look like, what do they remind you of? Make a story up in your head about what you are seeing. Think about the weather. I noticed the other day that when a cloud would cover the sun for even just a few seconds the wind would pick up - now why would that be? Always remember, of course, to wear sunglasses and to never ever look at the sun! There are so many other great ideas on this list, like camping out in your yard, star gazing, starting a nature journal or collecting flowers and plants to press! Just make sure to get permission from your parent/guardian - as always - before trying any of these ideas. What was I thinking? How did I even for a second think that I could choose a favorite poem? That's like choosing my favorite cloud in the sky, or my favorite wave breaking on a beach - it just cannot be done! Poems for me are like tasty little snacks that soothe my soul, so my favorite depends on where I am, who I am with at the time, how am I feeling, the weather...you get what I'm saying. But...I said I would post my favorite, so if I have to pick one poem that I have loved my entire life than it has to be "Jabberwocky" a poem by Lewis Carroll, from his book Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There. It has always made sense to me, despite being labeled a 'nonsense" poem. It was originally published in 1872, so it is in the public domain. This means that I am free to post this drawing and the poem as it was published before January 1, 1925, and because the author died at least 100 years ago. So without further ado, here is it: "JABBERWOCKY" ’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wade; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!" He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought-- So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought. And as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back. "And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!" He chortled in his joy. ’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. So what's your favorite poem? Let me know!
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