tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-237385022012-01-25T20:33:30.308-05:00<i>there's a poet let loose in the library...</i>Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.comBlogger12681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-59227947990176811872012-01-20T08:16:00.002-05:002012-01-20T08:18:07.444-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } baseball breaks ice, originally uploaded by Andi Sibley.winter cold snap - he's still at batting practice breaking ice -Andromeda Jazmon Enjoy more poetry this weekend at the roundup hosted by Elaine at Wild Rose Reader.

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-9434010909251033552012-01-13T13:35:00.003-05:002012-01-13T13:39:39.975-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } cardinal pair 3, originally uploaded by Andi Sibley. one cardinal pair huddled against a cold wind; their fortress of twigs -Andromeda Jazmon I've been holed up inside today, peering out the windows at the birdfeeder and

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-14351897596111401832011-12-30T06:59:00.001-05:002011-12-30T07:00:32.462-05:00

This week writer/playwright/poet/activist/ Sonia Sanchez was appointed official Poet Laureate of Philadelphia. It's the first time we've had one, and I am so glad it's her. She has had a brilliant career with and extensive list of published works, awards and accomplishments. (Bio here). I have listened to her read her work over the years, as she has been a professor at Temple U., where she is

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-76085239569665203142011-12-20T11:15:00.003-05:002011-12-21T09:14:00.068-05:00

I'm enjoying a trip to my local indie bookstore to pick up a few beginning chapter books for my first and third grade boys for Christmas gifts. Here's what they're getting: Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls... Written by Lenore Look, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. I got a couple Alvin Ho books because they are such fun adventure stories about a quirky second grader with just enough anxiety balanced by 

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-69390762757216223302011-12-19T09:46:00.000-05:002011-12-19T09:46:51.646-05:00

The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming. Henry Holt & Co. 2005. This was a delightful gift my boys received a couple years ago. What better way to celebrate the coming of winter than to sing a song to a snowman as you create him? Magical. Check out the author's webpage for a sock snowman activity. And of course, we have new mittens all ready for the snow!

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-41287945070656374082011-12-16T02:03:00.010-05:002011-12-16T02:03:00.352-05:00

This week the 2011 Edublog Awards were announced. I have spent some time browsing all the greatest educational blogs and have found a few new-to-me winners. In the interest of Friday Poetry I would like to highlight a favorite of mine: A Media Specialist Guide to the Internet (because you never know when you will need a cybrarian!). I've been reading this blog for a while and always find it

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-35627147240561028132011-12-14T09:33:00.001-05:002011-12-14T09:49:34.493-05:00

One of the activities in our Advent Calendar this week is to make paper chains for the Christmas Tree. I remember making them as a child in red and green construction paper. I've made them as a teacher with first grade classes for many years. It is a great joy to introduce them to my own two boys, who had never made them before. I consider myself privilaged and honored to be the one who

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-60936911748944329742011-12-09T17:54:00.005-05:002011-12-17T08:02:18.534-05:00

I am sad today, after hearing the news that my dear friend Judy (from the blog Just Enjoy Him) passed away yesterday. She had been battling inflammatory breast cancer for almost four years. We thought she had many more years but it was not to be. Judy wrote about her life with such humor and honesty and courage. I started reading her blog back in 2007 when I first discovered adoption blogs.

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-22609218745722254132011-12-09T12:28:00.001-05:002011-12-09T16:36:13.297-05:00

One of the gifts I am making my six year old son is a rock collection with words. Sort of a sight word vocabulary drawn from the creek bank. He loves rocks and collects them. On one recent nature walk he filled his pockets so full his pants fell down when he tried to run down the path ahead of me. He is learning to read and collects words. He reads signs everywhere we go. He reads me books

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-91521779351530336962011-12-04T17:25:00.001-05:002011-12-04T17:27:49.884-05:00

The other day our Advent calendar activity was to make these paper stars. I am so happy with the way they came out! The red one I made out of an old Christmas card. It was a little too stiff and hard to get the glue to stick without holding it together for a while. I tried using pictures from the World Wildlife Fund Catalog, after we made our donation online. The photos of the birds and

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-7508628204512845022011-12-01T18:01:00.003-05:002011-12-10T12:52:21.523-05:00

It seems hard to believe but Advent is already here! This year we are counting the days to Christmas with a new Advent calendar I made out of felt stockings. (I shared directions to how I made them at my cousin's blog She Who Makes.) In each stocking is a card with a family activity to help us celebrate and prepare the way for the Savior's birth. The picture above is a bit misleading because

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-26587851913470361552011-11-01T20:22:00.000-04:002011-11-01T20:22:29.797-04:00

I'm signed up for the Picture Book Idea Month challenge over at Tara Lazar's blog again this year. All through the month of November we try to come up with at least one idea a day for a new picture book that could be worked on and written in the coming year. I did it last year and came up with a list of ideas for books... none of which got written as yet. But still... those ideas are brewing.

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-52489074855138483282011-10-28T02:48:00.001-04:002011-10-28T05:57:40.075-04:00

I saw a friend post this video on Facebook this week and I had to pass it on. Micah Bournes performs his original poetry on the subject of "normal hair". I just love the joy and energy that blows through his presentation. He is a new-to-me poet and I am really enjoying his work! Micah Bournes :: Normal Hair from Antioch Church on Vimeo. Friday Poetry is hosted by Diane at Random Noodling. 

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-86641904973014064432011-10-26T12:55:00.000-04:002011-10-26T12:55:53.966-04:00

by Cara Chow. Egmont, 2011. I really enjoyed this young adult novel about the relationship of a Chinese American high school girl and her old school mother. Francis is trying to live up to the expectations of her mother, who demands that she work her way into Berkley and become a successful doctor in order to support her old age. She accidentally signs up for the high school speech class and ends

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-38258577733457306732011-10-21T15:24:00.003-04:002011-10-21T15:28:42.246-04:00

three friends a bench by the water geese on the wind .................. -Andromeda Jazmon The Friday Poetry round up is hosted by the fabulous Jama. Enjoy!

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-23731852536898371982011-10-14T11:43:00.002-04:002011-10-14T11:45:52.841-04:00

biking with only an ipod not wanting the weight of a good lens; missing the Little Green Heron shot -Andromeda Jazmon I’ve been under doctor’s orders to exercise my knee after surgery this summer, so I have been forced to take some time to go biking in beautiful parks during the last outburst of Indian Summer’s stunning weather. Oh the photographic opportunities I have missed by trying to

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-64182400292789810432011-10-12T11:15:00.000-04:002011-10-12T11:15:16.375-04:00

I've been working on compiling the best digital citizenship curriculum links to support educators. I have a wiki of library pathfinders (resource guides) here. I'm also using Pinterest as a more graphic based collection of links. I've also been following folks on Scoop.it but haven't tried curating my own stream yet. Have you? Please let me know what you think of these alternate ways of

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-80995902728754266582011-10-07T14:56:00.001-04:002011-10-07T14:57:49.992-04:00

Dropping baggage, Following the curve of Light on fence rows. - Andromeda Jazmon I am in a period of lateral shift, reassessing the journey and reconsidering what's required along the way. Dropping some of the old assumptions and hoping for more light. Today's trail was just the balm I needed! Enjoy more poetry at the Friday Poetry roundup today at Great Kid Books!

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-21167187443890105562011-10-02T13:28:00.002-04:002011-10-02T13:34:44.572-04:00

by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein, illustrated by Shadra Strickland. Candlewick, 2011. (review copy). Set in 1962 in the Jim Crow South just before the Civil Rights era, this picture book is based on a real life experience of author Michael Bandy. The lushly illustrated book tells of a boy named Michael who confronts the segregation laws in his community. On a bus ride to town he experiences

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-6701195844644925842011-09-30T09:23:00.002-04:002011-09-30T09:34:49.516-04:00

Odd Ocean Critter Poems by Leslie Bulion, illustrated by Leslie Evans. Peachtree Publishers, 2011. Last June I received this lovely little collection in the mail from my friend Elaine Magliaro. (Elaine's review & author interview here.) We have been dipping into it and enjoying the wide variety of poetic forms that playfully and cleverly present fascinating portraits of ocean creatures. From

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-33350887686770116252011-09-03T08:17:00.000-04:002011-09-03T08:17:28.271-04:00

I haven't posted much this past summer because I was totally focused on finding a new job. I am happy to report that I found a wonderful opportunity at a school in Philadelphia. I started my position as School Library Media Specialist this past week. It is exciting and overwhelming and will be really challenging and fun! I will be working with bright, charming, energetic children who have

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-46672395088695278552011-07-01T05:55:00.006-04:002011-07-01T07:30:07.433-04:00

Salvia spikes behind my garden bench or before? -Andromeda Jazmon I'm not sure I've got that haiku nailed yet. I might come back and edit it some more. I am trying to get the feel for the question in my mind; what comes first, the garden bench or the perennials? Some may plan the garden structures first and fill in with the plants but I would tend to throw the plants in willy nilly over a few

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-66463516465413784132011-05-20T05:58:00.004-04:002011-05-20T10:33:49.967-04:00

Today I am sharing Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Nature. It's a lovely poem using the image of a mother coaxing her child away from toys at bedtime, which hits home for me these days. As a fond mother, when the day is o'er,    Leads by the hand her little child to bed,    Half willing, half reluctant to be led,    And leave his broken playthings on the floor, Still gazing at them through

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-15646349005133344492011-05-06T06:09:00.001-04:002011-05-06T06:10:45.878-04:00

I've been working all April on gathering poetry from around the school where I am a Library Media Specialist. (Click the image above for a direct link). I've pulled projects and examples of student work from each grade and used a wide variety of apps and tools to showcase what the kids are doing. It's been a lot of fun and I am really proud of their range of work. Take a look at pre-k poetry,

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-63778640660613668352011-04-29T15:04:00.000-04:002011-04-29T15:04:01.009-04:00

This is the week when the Maple trees open new leaves. It's the birthday of the leaves I will rake and compost in the fall. The beginning of shade. The opening of the roof over my hammock. The first day of green gold ceilings. The baby ripples of wind's laughter. The return of living emeralds. wind chimes thrilling in the key of verte; today's leaves It terrifies me that the next wind storm

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-12256689775815255672011-04-20T21:04:00.000-04:002011-04-20T21:04:30.117-04:00

For a few hours this afternoon it was quite warm and humid. Driving home with the windows open the air was heavy with perfume from the magnolias that seem to burst into bloom all around us. It brought to mind long drowsy afternoons filled with the drone of bees. I heard a snore come from the backseat. I had to shake myself awake to remember the road. open windows drawing honey thick air;

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-28128061419358335702011-04-19T15:31:00.004-04:002011-04-19T15:52:39.239-04:00

I got behind in posting this weekend so I am playing catch up today. Three in one! slowing steps for just a day or two nodding narcissis These days rushing past the doorstep to be on time is a chance to catch at beauty. The school year is winding down; or up depending on how many projects and performances one has scheduled. Sooner than we believe we will be advanced to the next thing; but for

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-28886860891250436822011-04-16T20:33:00.000-04:002011-04-16T20:33:26.977-04:00

I found myself staring out the kitchen window several times today, pausing from the housework to watch the rain on the backyard grass. It's a brilliant green now and ready for the first cutting of the year as soon as we get a clear day and time to get out there. Amazing how grass endures the drab, miserable, freezing months to bounce back to verdant, vibrant growth after only a couple warm days

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-4491028311927409472011-04-15T20:01:00.001-04:002011-04-15T20:23:01.801-04:00

Puck dumped out his backpack onto the living room rug. There we were, putting the heads and arms back on Lego men. It's a rather quiet, focused activity, and a welcome contrast to the rest of the time when he was spinning in circles, laughing like a madman, taunting his brother, spilling crumbs all over the floor, or jumping up and down. Do you wonder why I call him Puck? tiny heads and arms

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-30216171104637461012011-04-14T20:30:00.002-04:002011-04-14T20:39:06.453-04:00

There is a crab apple tree in bloom right outside my window.  When I glance up I am likely to see a tufted titmouse, a cheery little gray bird with round black eyes, hopping from branch to branch directly in front of me. He is hoping to find a juicy little insect among the blossoms. Another time I might see a fat bee buzzing around between the pollen soaked petals. The blue sky peeks through,

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-55948045160142936812011-04-13T20:03:00.000-04:002011-04-13T20:03:41.654-04:00

They were looking for poetry; or joke books. The little girl quickly sat down next to the shelves. Mom and I sat on comfy chairs and caught up on the job situation, the housing market, their recent trip to D C. We both admitted to being tired, having been up in the middle of the night for one thing or another. We shared a few knock knock jokes, they checked out the book, and left. The sun

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-29012385187242067472011-04-12T19:30:00.000-04:002011-04-12T19:30:12.772-04:00

Rain today, a steady drizzle developing into drumming on the roof and rushing gutters. A sleep song on the roof, as Langston sings. The dandelions that were smiling yesterday are all curled up. We pulled a few more books off the shelves and drew in closer for another poem or two. All day rain drizzle, downpour, then wind - flotsam in the gutter -Andromeda Jazmon

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-77509877986702790202011-04-11T20:58:00.000-04:002011-04-11T20:58:49.403-04:00

The first really hot day of spring. Trees popping flowers and pollen coating the parking lot cars. The spice bush is in full bloom and drawing bees, along with the crab apple and magnolias.  I make a point of not parking under the magnolia trees. Everywhere you look kids were shedding layers and stretching out long, lean limbs to catch the sunshine. Recess ended hot and sweaty, with long lines at

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-70245711814629310202011-04-09T21:11:00.000-04:002011-04-09T21:11:54.848-04:00

She came over to help with the housework, and brought flowers. Those joyful yellow blooms crowded onto the table in the midst of a tumble of children and cleaning clutter. Hearing her tell stories of all the office gossip and laughing over the confusing bits... What I had puzzled over myself now started to make sense. At clean up she smiled at me with a smudge of dust across one cheek. We rounded

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-59928251613887143572011-04-08T19:48:00.000-04:002011-04-08T19:48:56.235-04:00

Driving to work damp and chilled in early April.  Bare branch tips promise swelling buds. Occasional burst of gold in the scrubby woods. Wild hedges of forsythia have escaped into the brush. Arms flung skyward or trailing on the ground; each year more territory taken. On the subject of forsythia my dad said, "Just don't let the branches touch the ground, whatever you do. There is no going back."

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-65571601509330274552011-04-08T06:22:00.001-04:002011-04-08T06:28:37.504-04:00

Susan Taylor Brown and Laura Purdie Salas have started an online bookclub around the book Writing the Life Poetic by Sage Cohen. Each week they are alternating on their blogs to talk about a different chapter and hosting those of us who want to try the writing exercises. I am joining in late, having just received my copy of the book. I'm playing catch up today, posting a poem I wrote in response

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-68071930848507926362011-04-07T20:10:00.000-04:002011-04-07T20:10:55.420-04:00

The children in my library are making paper cranes. In the last 10 days they have made 2,567. They are using origami paper, old magazines, discarded chip bags, shiny bulletin board paper, and tissues. Every time I come back to the desk baskets are full to overflowing. Outside my window the Japanese weeping cherry quietly bursts into pinkness. child's paper blessed and folded into open

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-81683994704889936702011-04-06T20:13:00.002-04:002011-04-06T20:19:27.775-04:00

My friend and Poetry Sister Liz Garton Scanlon is also doing haibun this month, and we talked about trying to bounce a few haiku off each other in a kind of echo. She put a haibun up yesterday about her time in a botanical garden with some children. It's quite lovely, in a relaxed, lazy way, mentioning bees and sweet flowers. Her final line is "let children slip past". I thought about how

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-69936248894869546702011-04-05T20:03:00.001-04:002011-04-06T15:38:59.824-04:00

My six year old son lay on the sofa drowsing and wiggling his loose tooth. Suddenly he jumped up. "My tooth! It came out!" A quick scramble through the blanket to find the tooth, lost in the cushions. Blood welled up in the gap, scarlet between milky buds. Earlier in the day he had jumped for joy at the sight of a red cardinal in the blossoming cherry tree. lost baby tooth; a red bird in a

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-67886132148690635322011-04-04T20:07:00.002-04:002011-04-05T06:35:19.687-04:00

I turn away from the screen, get up and wander outside, drawn by the warmth streaming in the window. Mild breezes, waving twigs heavy with bud, a low buzzing in the air. Coat left behind, at last, I am stunned. Sitting on the front step doing nothing but breathe. spring sunshine my desk unattended; watching the bees

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-13647843741115056812011-04-03T19:34:00.000-04:002011-04-03T19:34:20.912-04:00

I am painting my house, room by room. This weekend a good friend came over to help me pack up the dish cabinet and bookshelves in the dining room so we could scrape, spackle and prep the walls and woodwork for painting. It is an exhausting and overwhelming project and I am frequently discouraged to the point of tears. It's only her good cheer and optimism that kept me going this weekend. That and

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-39317284956848670422011-04-02T20:50:00.001-04:002011-04-03T09:10:26.730-04:00

Many years ago I was in China teaching English and had the opportunity to travel around the country. I found these 2" clay figures, or "mud men" as they are called sometimes, in a dusty little shop in Tianjin. The art form goes back to the 19th century, when they were made for bonsai and miniature gardens. I am enchanted by the expressions on these gentlemen's faces. Their conversation, whether

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-65360425785056649942011-04-01T09:45:00.000-04:002011-04-01T09:45:44.408-04:00

Every year for the past four years I have celebrated National Poetry Month by posting an original haiku and photo each day in April. It has been a wonderful exercise for me in creativity and thoughtful observation. I plan to do it again this year, with the added challenge of extending into haibun. This is a form that compliments the haiku with a short prose piece that amplifies or extends the

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-22872318393612868052011-03-25T05:15:00.000-04:002011-03-25T08:58:34.138-04:00

It's cherry blossom season, and in Japan that has special significance. Even more this year, as they mourn their losses and cling to hope for rebuilding a strong future. Cherry blossom haiku has a long history, going back to the 17th c, masters. These spring haiku have a particularly delicate, exquisite, joyful aroma mixed with the sadness of life's brevity and fragility. Seems perfect for these

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-52936889929582952382011-03-18T01:00:00.015-04:002011-07-01T05:36:49.452-04:00

Our minds and hearts have been so much focused on Japan and the natural disasters of earthquake and tsunami extended into the nightmare of nuclear reactor fires in the past week. I have been reading the poetry of 19th c. Buddhist monk and poet Ryokan. I have an interesting volume of poetry by both Ryokan and the 21th c. Benedictine monk Mary Lou Kownacki, where she complements his poems with

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-45642660912716653852011-03-11T03:44:00.037-05:002011-03-11T03:44:00.622-05:00

by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier. Little, Brown and Company. 2010. (Library copy). Stunningly illustrated picture book in verse, presenting the life and work of poet/potter Dave. Born in slavery around 1800, Dave has come to be known as one of the most important potters of the 19th c. in the area of Edgefiel, South Carolina. Laban Carrick Hill became interested in him after

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-77973070803543387762011-03-10T15:44:00.000-05:002011-03-10T15:44:21.313-05:00

by Laurie Halse Anderson. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010. (Library copy). Forge is the sequel to Anderson's Chains, which was reviewed by me in June of 2009. I love this series about African American teens during the American Revolution in 1776-78. In Forge, Curzon, the free black man we met in the first book in Boston, is now outside of Philadelphia trying to find Isabel again after they

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-44103585576061055272011-03-07T05:30:00.001-05:002011-03-07T10:49:16.979-05:00

My kids and I have been enjoying the new(ish) Freight Train by Donald Crews app for iPhone/iPod Touch. Freight Train was first published in 1978 and is a Caldecott Honor Book and ALA Notable Book. I got a review copy of the app a few weeks ago and we've been playing with it. Both of my boys love trains and the print book has always been a favorite of ours. Now that we have it on the iPod they go

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-86824172189487828622011-03-04T05:48:00.000-05:002011-03-04T09:15:45.928-05:00

doorstep crocus buds - in my rush to get there tripped by sunshine -Andromeda Jazmon stretched tall - lavender crocus buds hopeful recruits -Andromeda Jazmon I took these crocus photos a couple years ago on just such a March day as we are having today. Something brave and hopeful in me wakes up in this kind of sunshine, and opens again like the first crocus. Thanks be to God! Enjoy more

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-41538361282339826702011-02-25T05:34:00.001-05:002011-02-25T05:36:18.476-05:00

Mother to Sonby Langston Hughes Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor— .....read the rest at the Poetry Foundation here. I love this poem because the mother's voice is so clear, so insistent, and so determined. She is compelling him, and us forward and the

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-68974488880748176532011-01-14T13:36:00.000-05:002011-01-14T13:36:27.694-05:00

First Snow by Mary Louise Allen Snow makes whiteness where it falls The bushes look like popcorn balls. The places where I always play Look like somewhere else today! Haiku by Andromeda Jazmon fresh snow the wind left on my fence - a wink, a blink Early shovelers drawing back the lines on mussel shell sky Laura Purdie Salas has the Friday Poetry Roundup today. Enjoy!

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-2437983941407034332011-01-08T10:34:00.002-05:002011-01-08T10:40:11.833-05:00

My friend and Poetry Sister Kelly R. Fineman has been blogging about Pride and Prejudice in the month of January. She is taking a chapter a day to read, reflect, and discuss it in her blog Writing & Ruminating. In each post she summarizes the action and dialog, gives background of the cultural and linguistic complexities of the time, and offers witty, articulate and pointed analysis of the

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-90040509434359682762011-01-07T10:29:00.002-05:002011-01-07T15:13:58.091-05:00

snow falling outside library windows; pages turning -Andromeda Jazmon May you have gentle flakes falling, a warm spot to watch it all, and no place pressing to go for awhile. The Friday Poetry round up is hosted by Irene at Live.Love.Explore! Enjoy!!

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-38828063150461245182011-01-01T08:49:00.000-05:002011-01-01T08:49:02.969-05:00

As kind of a tradition I spend the last week of the old year decluttering, throwing things out, donating and generally getting rid of as much stuff as possible. A purge always feels so good when it's done!! This year: I gave a friend with a four year old a bag of size 5 kid's clothes and a box of VHS videos we can not longer watch since we don't have a VCR anymore  Donated a TV with VCR,

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-13668767841311679632010-12-24T09:14:00.000-05:002010-12-24T09:14:56.740-05:00

The other day I was listening to NPR in the kitchen while cooking. I love doing that. Krista Tippet was on with her show "Being". She was talking about Rumi and discussing his poetry. Rumi was a 13th poet and mystic born in present day Afghanistan who lived most of his life in Turkey. He is known for his Sufi brand of Islam and the poetry made known in the West by Coleman Barks. (Hear Barks read

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-36568569880220662092010-12-20T10:02:00.000-05:002010-12-20T10:02:37.146-05:00

My boys are five and eight, in kindergarten and second grade. I searched around for newer early chapter books with Black boys as main characters. We have read most of the old favorites and I always want to find something new for them for Christmas gifts. It wouldn't be a perfect holiday without some new reads under the tree! Here is what I found after reading posts at The Brown Bookshelf. Do you

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-76402764617557020522010-12-10T05:00:00.001-05:002010-12-10T05:00:06.414-05:00

by Luci Shaw Blue homespun and the bend of my breast keep warm this small hot naked star fallen to my arms. (Rest… you who have had so far to come.) Now nearness satisfies the body of God sweetly. Quiet he lies whose vigor hurled a universe. He sleeps whose eyelids have not closed before. ...read the rest here at Google books. This poem is in the book Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-52259312718037279672010-12-03T06:38:00.005-05:002010-12-04T08:49:51.810-05:00

It's been a rough week here at A Wrung Sponge. I've gotten a lot of bad news lately and we are reeling. I heard I will be laid off from my school library job, along with six of my teaching colleagues, due to dropping enrollment. I am job hunting again, and BTW if you hear of any Librarian job openings, please pass on the news! Then my furnace developed some serious problems and we were without

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-49532284164763449442010-11-19T04:11:00.020-05:002010-11-21T07:14:52.851-05:00

by Chief Jake Swamp, illustrated by Irwin Printup, Jr. Lee & Low, 1995. I received a nice review copy of this book in the mail this week from the publisher. I was sad to learn that Chief Jake Swamp passed away this past October. He was a force for peace in the world and a leader of integrity, serving  the Council of Chiefs in the Mohawk Iroquois Nation for over three decades. He started the Tree

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-61026766337347396352010-11-15T06:14:00.003-05:002010-11-15T11:54:37.730-05:00

by Janet Ruth Heller, illustrated by Ben Hodson. Silvan Dell, 2006. (Review copy). This gorgeously illustrated folktale is about the moon. It is a compelling story about how to deal with bullying, insulting behavior. The sun, with a mean face and a brash attitude, tells the moon she is not needed by anyone. Moon shrinks away to a "sliver of her former self" in shame and embarrassment, until her

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-10677529267551777162010-11-13T09:31:00.001-05:002010-11-13T09:32:26.267-05:00

Chronicle Books is running a book give-away drawing between now and Dec. 15th. For the Happy Haulidays drawing all bloggers have to do is post a wish list worth up to $500 of books. What books would you like to have? If I would happen to win this drawing, one of my commenters here on this post would win the list too. Sound like fun? I would LOVE to win these books for my library:

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-23312115504666302282010-11-12T04:05:00.001-05:002010-11-12T04:05:00.341-05:00

Life is a little crazy around here this week. It's nice to take some time to rest by the quiet waters and just soak in the color. sitting by water waiting for clarity; silt settles   -Andromeda Jazmon red berries beside the woodland path; resting spot   -Andromeda Jazmon Enjoy some slow sunshine this weekend. And stop by the Friday Poetry round up hosted by Terry at  Scrub-a-Dub-Tub.

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-41677252094863333772010-11-10T18:13:00.003-05:002010-11-11T14:28:42.824-05:00

by Anchee Min. Bloomsbury USA. March 2010. Anchee Min, who also wrote Red Azalea, Becoming Madame Mao and The Last Empress, has written a fascinating story on the life of Pearl S. Buck. Buck grew up in China at the turn of the last century and came to be most well known for her wonderfully successful novel The Good Earth, which won her the Pulitzer in 1938 as the first American woman to win one.

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-59532269779103461222010-11-05T05:16:00.002-04:002010-11-05T05:19:34.644-04:00

  PiBoIdMo - Tara Lazar's wonderful idea for a month of inspiration. Just scribble down an idea for a picture book every day for the month of November, and you are eligible to win a prize from a list that includes original artwork from children's book illustrators, critique and advice from editors, and other cool stuff. You don't have to share your ideas, just sign the pledge to really truly do

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-16956763429770298712010-11-05T04:33:00.001-04:002010-11-05T08:05:40.213-04:00

quiet waters; brilliant autumn colors gathered shadows -Andromeda Jazmon This weekend it is cold and rainy, but last weekend was brilliant sunshine. The leaves were at their peek and we had a glorious afternoon in the woods. I hope you find some of this light to bask in around your way. Check out the Friday Poetry round up hosted by JoAnn at Teaching Authors. gold infused leaves come down

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-48678609927513422332010-11-03T16:13:00.000-04:002010-11-03T16:13:16.476-04:00

by Sundee T. Frazier. Delacorte Press, 2010. (Library copy). Minni and Keira are eleven years old twins. They are biracial, with a Black mom and white dad. Minni is lighter skinned and looks like dad, while Keira is darker and looks more like mom. Everywhere they go people remark over them and wonder how they could be born of the same parents, since they look so completely different. Minni and

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-73751909582298510512010-11-01T05:13:00.029-04:002010-11-02T09:52:51.150-04:00

Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican celebration remembering loved ones who have passed on. It is celebrated in many communities in Mexico and the United States. Here are some children's books I've been reading over the past week to my elementary school classes: On Day of the Dead by Yolanda James, illustrated by Russ Daff. Dingles & Co. 2008. Simple, clear text describes ways to celebrate, including

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-34955282704717394242010-10-29T05:13:00.042-04:002010-10-29T09:43:33.005-04:00

by David Elliott, illustrated by Holly Meade. Candlewick, 2010. We just got this lovely poetry collection in our school library. It started circulating immediately and I had to snag it in between kids in order to read it myself. Fabulous woodcut illustrations with colorful watercolor embelishments. The cover is compelling and each animal inspired poem draws you in deeper. Take a look at the zebra

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-58946940990006407632010-10-22T01:00:00.004-04:002010-10-22T04:34:21.253-04:00

Every Friday blogs all around the Kidlitosphere post something poetry related; original work, poetry book reviews, a favorite poem, a bit of poetic news, a story or classroom experience... it's all good. Today it's my turn to host the round up with links to all that poetic juiciness. Many of the bloggers that participate in the kidlitosphere (focusing on books for children and young adults) will

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-76803385229898434702010-10-18T06:00:00.034-04:002010-10-18T06:14:28.154-04:00

El rey del futbol; a bilingual picture book by Monica Brown, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez.  Translated by Fernando Gayesky. HarperColins, 2008. When Pele was a boy in Brazil he used to play soccer barefoot in the street with a grapefruit, bundle of rags, or whatever ball they could scrounge up. He had a team made up of his neighborhood friends that made a name for themselves. He grew up to play

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-91222299320355320212010-10-15T05:38:00.000-04:002010-10-15T05:38:00.568-04:00

the rose garden after the season; open paths -Andromeda Jazmon Hope you are enjoying these lovely fall days. Get out and wander a bit! Poetry Friday posts are rounded up at Liz in Ink. I am doing the round up next week so be sure to come back by on Friday!

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-82505657176075703852010-10-10T18:36:00.000-04:002010-10-10T18:36:52.175-04:00

I've been over to the Cybils site to add my nomination titles for some of the best children's books published between Oct. 16, 2009 and Oct. 15, 2010. ANYONE can nominate their favorites. You don't have to be a librarian, teacher, writer, or parent. But there are only five more days when you can do it! Don't miss your chance to sound off. One of the rules is that each person can only nominate

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-60828749137862264032010-10-08T05:22:00.006-04:002010-10-08T06:17:09.622-04:00

Another fun thing I did at ALA in DC this past summer was to attend the Poetry Blast. Poet, artist and illustrator Calef Brown was there reading from his newest book Hallowilloween. He memorizes his poems, which are long and rambling and absolutely hilarious. His delivery is spot on. He had us rolling in the aisles. You can hear him reading on YouTube. Since my boys and I have just finished

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-85755235408772237002010-10-07T05:25:00.079-04:002010-10-07T11:26:16.230-04:00

by Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon. Candlewick, 2010. (review copy) I picked this up at ALA this summer and have greatly enjoyed it. Actually, I didn't make it to the Candlewick table in time to snag one but a friend knew I would like to see it so she grabbed one and saved it for me. I was so pleased! Zora Neale Hurston, a highly talented anthropologist, folklorist and novelist, was born in

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-25862182920939765232010-10-01T04:00:00.004-04:002010-10-01T06:13:21.428-04:00

I've been reading Terza Rima, a poetic form borrowed from the 13 c. Italian poets and made famous by Dante's The Divine Comedy and Shelley's Ode to the West Wind. Some of my poetry blogging pals and I have all been working on writing this form for the past six months, and I am lagging behind in my homework. I decided to spend more time reading it in order to wrap my mind around the pattern and

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-54449167419731182512010-09-28T06:20:00.000-04:002010-09-28T06:20:46.468-04:00

Buddy, age 8: "Mom, did you know I'm reading that Wimpy Kid book?" Me: "No, I didn't know that. Do you like it? Where did you get it?" Buddy: "At the library. It's great. (pause) Did you know it's inappropriate?" Me: "Um, I wondered about that. What do you think is inappropriate?" Buddy: "Well they leave this cheese in the basketball court. And then one of them gets the cheese touch because

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-56065339375019426032010-09-24T14:29:00.000-04:002010-09-24T14:29:30.478-04:00

toads' voices calling through the fog; first gold leaves Andromeda Jazmon The Friday Poetry roundup is over at Karen Edmisten's blog. Enjoy!

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-35309797844780606202010-09-23T06:28:00.002-04:002010-09-23T06:31:53.064-04:00

by Michelle Bodden and Patrice Samara. Toychest, 2010. (review copy) This cute paperback is part of the Alphabet Kids series created by Allegra Joyce Kassin. The cast includes six children from diverse backgrounds named Allegra, Elena, Isaac, Oni, Umar and Yang, who meet together at the Alphabet Kids afterschool center. They bring their cultures and ethnicity into the mix and share what is

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-25608474761579333932010-09-20T15:06:00.000-04:002010-09-20T15:06:09.139-04:00

Patti Diegh, the author of the book 37 Days, which I reviewed last year, has a new book out this month. It is titled Four Word Selp Help, and contains short essays on how to life a simpler but richer life. Patti put out a call to readers of her blog 37Days.com last spring for submissions of artwork to illustrate her short, pithy phrases offering "simple wisdom for complex lives". It sounded like

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-8993613155623638702010-09-20T04:00:00.000-04:002010-09-20T11:30:20.326-04:00

Patti Digh, the author of the book Life is a Verb, which I reviewed last year, has a new book out this month. It is titled Four Word Self Help, and contains short essays on how to live a simpler but richer life. Patti put out a call to readers of her blog 37Days.com last spring for submissions of artwork to illustrate her short, pithy phrases offering "simple wisdom for complex lives". It sounded

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-62954893222744630082010-09-19T08:10:00.001-04:002010-09-19T08:12:48.408-04:00

UNCF Forum Series: To Be Young, Digital & Black from Spotlight on Vimeo. Taken from a public forum hosted by The United Negro College Fund and the MacArthur Foundation on digital media and learning in multicultural contexts in March at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin. “The access gap hasn’t been solved entirely, but a significant portion of it has been addressed,” Watkins said in an

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-53309365279289827862010-09-17T06:24:00.001-04:002010-09-17T06:27:44.932-04:00

by Chris Raschka, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky. Harper, 2010. (review copy). A very clever, funny, entertaining look at a doggy rapper. Radunsky's bold brush strokes and autumn colors give this book layers of passion and movement. Raschka's poetry circles and bounces across the pages as the dogs throw it down. You need to listen to some rap jams before you read this out loud. White library

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-30781042136959374202010-09-15T16:00:00.053-04:002010-10-07T05:43:13.652-04:00

by Emily Adler & Alex Echevarria. Marshall Cavendish, 2010. (Review copy). Destiny Lozada is about to turn fifteen, and for Latina young women that means a "quinceanera" party must be planned to celebrate her coming into womanhood. Problem is Destiny hates high heels and fancy dresses, loves skateboarding, and knows her family does not have the money to throw any fancy parties. Her mom is

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-72205389428042788602010-09-06T07:16:00.000-04:002010-09-06T07:16:19.177-04:00

Teachers, librarians and parents getting ready for a new school year will be looking ahead to pump up their libraries for units of study in the coming year. Global Warming is a hot topic this year and I have several good books to recommend: Where Do Polar Bears Live? by Sarah  Thomson, illustrated by Jason Chin. A Let's Read and Find Out About Science book by HarperCollins, 2010. This is a

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-3000498471182331012010-07-16T10:28:00.001-04:002010-07-16T13:45:05.531-04:00

African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways, written by Avis Harley with photographs by Deborah Noyes,  Candlewick Press, 2009. (review copy). This stunning volume is a fabulous example of the art of acrostic poetry, which many children learn about and practice in school. Harley has taken the form to a whole new level by crafting double, multiple, and cross acrostic poems which sing the unique

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-81102373465232887872010-07-14T15:26:00.000-04:002010-07-14T15:26:45.757-04:00

An Eid Tale retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams. Illustrations by Proiti Roy. Marshall Cavendish Children, 2010. (review copy) This beautiful picture book tells the tale of Nabeel, the shoemaker. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is over. The holiday of Eid marks the end of the fasting, and everyone wants new shoes and new clothes to celebrate. Nabeel happily buys gifts for his wife, his daughter,

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-5391418248774262762010-07-10T07:32:00.000-04:002010-07-10T07:32:19.888-04:00

washing his bike before the big parade; he whistles Sousa -Andromeda Jazmon My son Buddy is approaching 8 years old and taking on a love of doing chores around the house and yard. Here he is cleaning his beloved bike that he rides up and down the street every available moment. He is such a great kid! With my oldest son in Air Force Basic Training this holiday I am feeling a whole new

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-84064173534748140372010-07-05T08:00:00.001-04:002010-07-05T08:06:41.243-04:00

by Hester Bass, illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Candlewick Press, 2009. (review copy). With the gulf struggling under a terrible weight of the BP oil spill, it seems a good time to celebrate the artwork and life's work of Walter Anderson with this stunning biography. Anderson was an artist living on the gulf coast of Mississippi in the mid 20th century. He is best known for his watercolor paintings

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-31606211519054481022010-07-02T09:53:00.004-04:002010-07-02T10:56:05.377-04:00

by Tony Medina, illustrated by Jees Joshua Watson. Lee & Low Books, 2009 (review copy). I was in DC this past week at ALA's annual meeting/conference for librarians, authors, illustrators, bloggers, publishers, and editors. (Yep, I slipped in bloggers 'cause we love it too!) I was thrilled to attend Marilyn Singer and Barbara Genco's  seventh annual Poetry Blast!, and Tony Medina was one of the

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-60948069483402694062010-06-25T13:45:00.003-04:002010-06-25T14:15:03.961-04:00

So excited!!!  I am reading Mare's War and taking my copy with me to ALA this weekend to get it signed by my friend Tanita S. Davis. I'll be at the CSK breakfast on Tuesday cheering her on! I can't believe I haven't actually read this great book before now. It has been on my TBR list since long before it came out. The story is about two teen girls on a road trip across the country with their

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-89196651356334035112010-04-30T05:56:00.002-04:002010-04-30T05:57:44.500-04:00

spent, empty dandelion seed bed - itself a flower ...-Andromeda Jazmon This is what it looks like after a dandelion's seeds have all blown. That far flung emptiness is speaking to me today, at the end of a long month of outpouring poetry, at the end of a semester and a school year that has been both challenging and rewarding.  Spent, depleted, but drenched with blessings... it's enough to have

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-3289874089004814842010-04-29T15:46:00.001-04:002010-04-29T15:46:08.382-04:00

twist ties topping the garden fence; catching raindrops ...-Andromeda Jazmon This fence that wraps around my backyard has seen some struggles & survived some pounding. As the boys arelearning to ride bikes, scooters and skates they continually crash into it. It's bent out of shape and has to be closed with a piece of rope. I have tried to get it repaired but so far have not found the right

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-4024660736494437382010-04-28T17:00:00.001-04:002010-04-28T17:01:17.648-04:00

the first time it rained on these open leaves; learning to dance ...-Andromeda Jazmon risen before the ruby rose can bloom; shocking red thorns ...-Andromeda Jazmon It rained a lot the last couple days and I grabbed a few minutes in the morning to take photos. These new leaves have only been open a week or so; this is their very first rain shower. They're babies. By the end of summer they

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-91205736373001371302010-04-26T18:26:00.001-04:002010-04-28T17:02:07.039-04:00

rose leaves rising in a flush of bloom; aphids rejoice ...-Andromeda Jazmon smooth stones; openings on the path for moonlight ...-Andromeda Jazmon

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-66115169347902631352010-04-24T17:51:00.000-04:002010-04-24T17:51:19.022-04:00

trim for salad or wait and watch it bloom - chive sprouts ...-Andromeda Jazmon I spent some time weeding today and had the pleasure of a five year old companion. He's the kind of gardener who saves apple seeds from his lunch to plant them in the garden. When I unpacked his lunchbox yesterday there was a little sandwich bag of apple seeds carefully stowed away. He was fully expecting to get a

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-64198081508648023742010-04-23T14:43:00.002-04:002010-04-23T14:47:24.516-04:00

(I didn't get on to post a haiku yesterday so I am giving you two today.) sunshine's wealth held in the petal's cup; spilled by the wind ...-Andromeda Jazmon It's one of those thrilling April days when the sunshine is warm and the chill breeze makes you want to jump and dance. We have the first grade class picnic after school and the kids are like lambs coming out of the barn. I'm bringing

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-82643153477414687922010-04-21T20:13:00.000-04:002010-04-21T20:13:00.670-04:00

morning tea; while the garden opens holding still ...-Andromeda Jazmon I found myself this morning with the gift of a little empty time. Time to sit in the backyard garden and just watch the light spill across the lawn. Watch the flowers nodding and hear the birds sing. It restored me and reminded me how blessed I am. I am hoping you find such a place today as well.

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-70287031452033317512010-04-20T18:05:00.002-04:002010-04-20T18:14:29.840-04:00

green fig leaves above the swelling fruit; my empty bowl waits ...- Andromeda Jazmon It's Earth Day week and everything feels full of potential to me. New green all around us and new possibilities... The semester is almost over and I am at the spot where I most enjoy it; the big research paper is turned in and only a few assignments are left, including the final. I actually like it better

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-76427289710385615432010-04-19T18:59:00.000-04:002010-04-19T18:59:47.313-04:00

their work in papers brought home crumpled, in drifts; making the world ...-Andromeda Jazmon All the papers that come home threaten to overwhelm the house. They cover the tables, the shelves, the refrigerator. It's not the paper or the product that I treasure. It's the process. The progress from scribble to faces to letters to stories; messages left along the way, marking where they're going.

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23738502.post-66545687333552177462010-04-18T08:09:00.000-04:002010-04-18T08:09:24.877-04:00

lily fades into tired parchment; pollen scattered ...-Andromeda Jazmon

Andi Sibleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.com2