The Missouri Reader Vol. 39, Issue 1 | Page 10

Judy: I got the idea for R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet when I was writing S is for Show Me, A Missouri Alphabet. I thought the format would be great for a

book on poetry,

with sidebars of

information

about different

kinds of poetry

along with a

poem example

for kids to see

the different

styles. I wanted

the poems in the book to be accessible to students, poems kids from kindergarten through middle school could understand and relate to as they were learning about style and structure. And, I wanted a book teachers could feel comfortable with as well.

Much of what I saw regarding poetry writing in the schools were formulaic writing assign-ments that didn’t give much room for creativity. They are “safe” assignments for teachers who are not comfortable with allowing creativity to flow. Filling in the blanks with one noun, two verbs, three adverbs, etc., is not creating a poem. It’s really more an exercise in parts of speech. So, my purpose was to write a book to not only engage students, but also give the teachers a solid reference to the diversity and beauty of poetry and encourage them to expand their poetry units. I feel, from the overwhelming response I have received from this book, that my goal was surpassed. The book is not only being used by elementary and middle school students and teachers, but is being used all the way through high schools and, as you said, into college classrooms.

R is for Rhyme was my second book. It received a starred review from Kirkus Review within two weeks of its release, as well as multiple awards. Schools and educational conferences have invited me to speak about poetry writing in 30 different states. This school year alone, I am scheduled to speak about poetry writing in UT, VA, WI, KY, CA, MD, as well as around MO.

I already told you about it being used in the dance performance in UT, but I was also contacted about it by Dr. Twyla Liggett, founder of Reading Rainbow. She told me how much she enjoyed R is for Rhyme, that she used it in her classrooms at Manhattan College and asked if I would mind if she endorsed the book. I was speechless! And honored!

Julie: I recently came across a couple of books from your “Tales of Young Americans” series. These books were beautiful and completely captivating, but my favorite parts were the author’s notes you offered in them. Tell us about these books and why you felt the need to share your voice about the historical happenings.

Judy: I like reading historical fiction and when Sleeping Bear Press started the “Tales of Young Americans” series, I decided to try my hand at writing some. I didn’t have an idea at first, but I decided to write about the Great Depression. I chose that time period because I grew up hearing stories from my parents and my grand-parents about hardships. With those gener-ations now being the great-grandparents and great-great-grand-parents of today’s children, the stories of that time are being lost. So, I researched to find a story idea, and reading that 20,000 schools

shut down during the

depression, I knew I

had a story kids

needed to hear: school

is a luxury, not to be

taken for granted. The

Lucky Star was the result of

my endeavors.

10

"This is just an incredible book. By coupling the styles of poetry

with such wonderful collection of poems, this book is a

delight. Furthermore, it is also a 'text' for teachers to use in

teaching writing to upper elementary students through the college level. I plan to use this lovely book in my college

level teacher education and Children's Literature classes." Bravo!"

About R is for Rhyme

from Twila C. Liggett,

Ph.D., Founder of PBS's Reading Rainbow and Professor, Marymount Manhattan College