EARLY SPRING READ–IVY IN BLOOM!

Winter reads are wonderful but, sometimes, one gets an urge to move onto Spring, especially on a sunny day like today.

If you are getting drawn towards a new season, there is a perfect read for you–Ivy in Bloom, published by VanitaBooks website.

This hardcover, children’s book written by Vanita Oelschlager and illustrated by Kristin Blackwood is  a treasure. The sub-title gives us a clue as to why–it incorporates  The Poetry of Spring from Great Poets and Writers of the Past. Tucked into Oelschlager’s brief story about this winsome little girl, Ivy,  are snippets of classic word artists, from Dickinson to Frost to Whitman. They are, in truth, spring finds! In this story, you will follow Ivy from the winter doldrums to bursts of spring. 

Found poetry/prose takes some words from a source, credit always given, and re-invents them in a new way. This is done, successfully, here. The original sources are included at the end of the book. Note: If you want to know more about this format, check out a link at http://www.creative-writing-now.com/found-poetry.html .

This book is an artful delight for young and old with colourful drawings and melodious words.

Enjoy this early spring read!

IVY IN BLOOM
cover photo from Net Galley site

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2013 BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February has been designated in many areas as Black History Month.

There have been many celebrations taking place this month to celebrate this recognition. As the month draws to a close, I would like to add a mention to one of my favourite writers, a truly inspirational poet–Maya Angelou.

For a winter read or all year round, one of the poets I most admire is  Maya Angelou. Stop by her website at http://mayaangelou.com to find out more about this dynamo!

Sitting on my shelf, are two of her several books —Poems and Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now—both are worth a  read or two on any given day.

Books by Maya Angelou

Also, I have a CD featuring the works of one of my favourite poets, Maya Angelou , available at

http://www.amazon.ca/Maya-Angelou-Poetry-Collection/dp/0375420177 .

Angelou’s voice is rich and melodious as she reads poems about life and people, including the 1993 Inaugural Poem.

More visual and text resources are available at another site celebrating Black History Month 2013 .

Closer to home, the CBC network has added some timely material at http://www.cbc.ca/books/2013/02/keeping-roots-alive.html .

As February ends, I recommend these resources that are great for listening and reading well past this designated month. Enjoy!

Related articles

• Maya Angelou, Presidential Medal Recipient of Freedom, Storied Poet, Author & Activist, Hosts 3rd Annual Black History Month Program February 2013 on Public Radio (sacbee.com)
• Maya Angelou Day 12 of 28: Who Says You Can’t? (vtypical.wordpress.com)
• Maya Angelou on respect: Women are not the ‘b’ word, and blacks are not the ‘n’ word (tv.msnbc.com)
• This Black History Month, Listen to Maya Angelou Teach Professional Singer Alicia Keys How to Sing (jezebel.com)