A poem is a great addition to
any celebration in the classroom or out of it. Short poems, in particular, are
fun since students can easily read or chant along. But where can you find great
poems on St. Patrick’s Day, Random Acts of Kindness Week, National Library
Week, President’s Day, Veteran’s Day, Earth Day, Constitution Day, Grandparents
Day, Global Handwashing Day, and dozens of other holidays?
THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS edited by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong features 156 poems by 115 different poets, including Jack Prelutsky, J. Patrick Lewis, Joyce Sidman, Margarita Engle, Marilyn Singer, Nikki Grimes, Alma Flor Ada, F. Isabel Campoy, Linda Sue Park, Jane Yolen, Kenn Nesbitt, Grace Lin, Joseph Bruchac, Douglas Florian, Laura Purdie Salas, and Pencil Tip bloggers, Mary Quattlebaum and Jacqueline Jules.
THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS edited by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong features 156 poems by 115 different poets, including Jack Prelutsky, J. Patrick Lewis, Joyce Sidman, Margarita Engle, Marilyn Singer, Nikki Grimes, Alma Flor Ada, F. Isabel Campoy, Linda Sue Park, Jane Yolen, Kenn Nesbitt, Grace Lin, Joseph Bruchac, Douglas Florian, Laura Purdie Salas, and Pencil Tip bloggers, Mary Quattlebaum and Jacqueline Jules.
This anthology of high
quality verse is unique for its diversity and its breadth. Every poem is published
in English and Spanish. Poems for Ramadan,
Passover, Divali, and Native American traditions appear alongside light-hearted
celebrations like National Popcorn Day, National Cereal Day, and National Yo-Yo
Day.
The book is divided into
months, January through December, and each section ends with a bonus poem
celebrating “Birthdays and Baby Days.” Some of these extra selections offer
cultural insights such as Joseph Bruchac’s poem “Winter Counting” explaining
why Native Americans count winters rather than years. Andrea Cheng’s “Wishes Around the World”
describes the long noodles made by her Grandma Nai Nai and a blending of birthday
traditions. Other holiday poems on generic topics such as Grandparents Day
embrace diversity, too. In “Far Away on Grandparents Day,” Julie Larios writes
about receiving “besitos across the long miles” from abuelo and abuela. THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS will make every child in your
classroom feel represented and included. And many of the poems can
be treasured at home for family celebrations.
THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS is available in two editions. A student edition of 175 pages
in a large format, features a single poem per page in Spanish and English with a
lively digital art illustration. The
teacher’s edition with 371 pages has ideas for pairing picture books with
each poem and other activities for each poem, plus helpful notes for sharing
poetry in the classroom.
In addition, there is a
terrific dedicated website for THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS
with poem graphics, videos, lesson ideas, and more.
Check out a video for my own
poem, “Bubbles” for Global Handwashing
Day.
The poems in THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS can be read aloud
in about a minute, making them perfect prompts for students to write their
own holiday poems. Challenge your students to write about their favorite
holiday or invent a holiday to celebrate. Enjoy!
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