Dear Wandering Wildebeest by Irene Latham and illustrated by Anna Wadham

I love the poems and the illustrations in this book. As a bonus, I learned a lot about the animals of Africa.
I've seen some of these animals at the zoo, but never really knew about there habitat.
Irene and Anna makes sure you know the livelihood of the native African animals is the waterhole.
Irene's very first poem here introduces us to this importance. I was amazed at how many animals could congregate at one time.
Did you know that the Wildebeest has the largest mammal migration in the world? I do now.
So "wander with me, meander with me" through this delightful book.
Can you find the animal that blends in with the night but makes a most jarring sound?
Read how the zebras confuse their predators or how giraffes make good lookouts for everyone.


Irene has graciously agreed to donate this book to my April giveaway.
So to be eligible for this book or the craft book on poetry, please leave a comment.
What other books about animals, Africa or poetry have you found interesting?
See you next week!

Progressive Poem 2015 and Poetry book giveaway

Poetry month continues with a craft book on poetry and Irene Latham's Dear Wandering Wildebeest.
By leaving a comment you will be entered for a chance to win of these books.


One of the things I look forward to each year is participating in the Progressive Poem Hosted by Irene Latham’s . It's our way of celebrating National Poetry Month. The poem is a group venture in the month of April, with each poet adding a new line and sending it on its journey.


This years poem is taking us to the sea.  Mermaids and mermen, or fisherman oh my!
I had to look up what a pirogue is- a dugout canoe.
Here's what we have so far on day 18.




She lives without a net, walking along the alluvium of the delta.
Shoes swing over her shoulder, on her bare feet stick jeweled flecks of dark mica.


Hands faster than fish swing at the ends of bare brown arms. Her hair flows,
snows in wild wind as she digs in the indigo varnished handbag,


pulls out her grandmother’s oval cuffed bracelet,
strokes the turquoise stones, and steps through the curved doorway.


Tripping on her tail she slips hair first down the slide… splash!
She glides past glossy water hyacinth to shimmer with a school of shad,


listens to the ibises roosting in the trees of the cypress swamp–
an echo of Grandmother’s words, still fresh in her windswept memory.


Born from the oyster, expect the pearl.
Reach for the rainbow reflection on the smallest dewdrop.


The surface glistens, a shadow slips above her head, a paddle dips–
she reaches, seizes. She’s electric energy and turquoise eyes.


Lifted high, she gulps strange air – stares clearly into
Green pirogue, crawfish trap, startled fisherman


with turquoise eyes, twins of her own, riveted on her wrist–
She's swifter than a dolphin, slipping away, leaving him only a handful of


Up to you Linda, what's in his hand?


1 Jone at Check it Out

2 Joy at Poetry for Kids Joy

3 Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe

4 Laura at Writing the World for Kids

5 Charles at Poetry Time Blog

6 Ramona at Pleasures from the Page

7 Catherine at Catherine Johnson

8 Irene at Live Your Poem

9 Mary Lee at Poetrepository

10 Michelle at Today's Little Ditty

11 Kim at Flukeprints

12 Margaret at Reflections on the Teche

13 Doraine at DoriReads

14 Renee at No Water River

15 Robyn at Life on the Deckle Edge

16 Ruth at There is No Such Thing as a Godforsaken Town

17 Buffy at Buffy's Blog

18 Sheila at Sheila Renfro

19 Linda at Teacher Dance

20 Penny at A Penny and her Jots

21 Tara at A Teaching Life

22 Pat at Writer on a Horse

23 Tamera at The Writer's Whimsy

24 Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect

25 Tabatha at The Opposite of indifference

26 Brian at Walk the Walk

27 Jan at Bookseedstudio

28 Amy at The Poem Farm

29 Donna at Mainely Write

30 Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme

Poetry Book Giveawa, Progressive Poem continues

April is poetry month and we are celebrating with several things going on. First, the Progressive Poem continues and you can follow it here:

2015 Kidlitosphere

Progressive Poem

 

1 Jone at Check it Out

2 Joy at Poetry for Kids Joy

3 Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe

4 Laura at Writing the World for Kids

5 Charles at Poetry Time Blog

6 Ramona at Pleasures from the Page

7 Catherine at Catherine Johnson

8 Irene at Live Your Poem

9 Mary Lee at Poetrepository

10 Michelle at Today's Little Ditty

11 Kim at Flukeprints

12 Margaret at Reflections on the Teche

13 Doraine at DoriReads

14 Renee at No Water River

15 Robyn at Life on the Deckle Edge

16 Ruth at There is No Such Thing as a Godforsaken Town

17 Buffy at Buffy's Blog

18 Sheila at Sheila Renfro

19 Linda at Teacher Dance

20 Penny at A Penny and her Jots

21 Tara at A Teaching Life

22 Pat at Writer on a Horse

23 Tamera at The Writer's Whimsy

24 Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect

25 Tabatha at The Opposite of indifference

26 Brian at Walk the Walk

27 Jan at Bookseedstudio

28 Amy at The Poem Farm

29 Donna at Mainely Write

30 Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme

Second, I will be giving away The Intimate Art of Writing Poetry by Ottone M. Riccio.

I have found this book very helpful to learn more about the different forms of poetry. I usually write free verse, but occasionally I will try a Haiku or Limerick.

I wanted to get down to basics though and really concentrate on meter and rhythm. These are important not only for poetry, but for writing pictures books too.

The third thing going on this month is the A-Z Insecure Writing Challenge.


Hope you enjoy!
Please leave a comment as to what your favorite poetry book is or your favorite poet to enter a chance to win this months book.


Next week I will be reviewing Dear Wandering Wildebeest by Irene Latham. She has agreed to give away a signed copy.
Bet you could guess which poetry book is my favorite!
See you next week.

Happy Easter and Book Winners

It is Easter and this is a significant day for me. I am a Christian and believe in the Son of God. Today is the day Christians celebrate his resurrection.


 I'm making this a short post today and said I would announce the winners of the book giveaway today so here they are:
The winner of the 2015 Children's Writer's & Illustrators Market is Nancy Kelly Allen
The winner of A Whole Lot of Lucky by Danette Haworth is Debbie Chartoff.
Please email me the address you would like your book shipped to.
Sheila_renfro@cox.net


Thank  you for participating!

Kidlitosphere Progressive Poem 2015

Once again Irene Latham is hosting the Kidlitosphere Progressive Poem. This is where thirty poets come together and write a part of the poem each day.
Here is the list of poets and their websites so you can follow the fun.




I will be participating on the eighteenth.
 As of Day three it is looking pretty exciting on this is unfolding.

1 Jone at Check it Out

2 Joy at Poetry for Kids Joy

3 Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe

4 Laura at Writing the World for Kids

5 Charles at Poetry Time Blog

6 Ramona at Pleasures from the Page

7 Catherine at Catherine Johnson

8 Irene at Live Your Poem

9 Mary Lee at Poetrepository

10 Michelle at Today's Little Ditty

11 Kim at Flukeprints

12 Margaret at Reflections on the Teche

13 Doraine at DoriReads

14 Renee at No Water River

15 Robyn at Life on the Deckle Edge

16 Ruth at There is No Such Thing as a Godforsaken Town

17 Buffy at Buffy's Blog

18 Sheila at Sheila Renfro

19 Linda at Teacher Dance

20 Penny at A Penny and her Jots

21 Tara at A Teaching Life

22 Pat at Writer on a Horse

23 Tamera at The Writer's Whimsy

24 Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect

25 Tabatha at The Opposite of indifference

26 Brian at Walk the Walk

27 Jan at Bookseedstudio

28 Amy at The Poem Farm

29 Donna at Mainely Write

30 Matt at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.


This is my first time to post on this subject and yes I'm feeling a bit insecure.
I have been blogging for a couple of years now, but have not had anything published.
The most important thing right now for me is to turn my "baby" loose into the world of publishing.
I have yet to overcome the fear of rejection. Yes I've said it. I have to send out submissions to get published.
If you have any suggestions on this please comment!
Thank you for listening.
Sheila