Irene Latham's Blog, page 68

Baby Names, Character Names, My Name and ALMA

HarrietI've been thinking more about my name -- see my last post about meeting another (younger!) Irene and an earlier (2010!) post about
We can learn a lot about a person by their nicknames. My father's favorite nickname for me was "Harriet." He also called me "Honey" and "Sugar Girl" quite often. But he used those for other people, too -- only Harriet was all mine. I don't know why or where or what. It never mattered. I WAS Harriet.

Somewhere along the line my brother Ken called me Reniebob. It stuck. Sometimes it gets shortened to Renie. Even Paul calls me Renie!

Irene "The Boss" t-shirt
in its current life as a quiltThe women in my family dubbed me The Boss. (My mom even made me a t-shirt once with "The Boss" monogrammed on the pocket.) I'm generally the organizer and instigator. I get things done! And I *might* have been a bit of a bossy big sister... I do have memories of playing house with my sister Lynn and insisting that she be the father, because of course I HAD to be the mother. Lucky for me Lynn was always pretty flexible and agreeable. (Still is.)

I wrote a poem recently about my name, in the voice of 5th-grade me (just like in the book CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR?) Here it is:

Namesake
When I tell DennisI'm named for mygreat grandmother,he giggles. Sounds like an old-lady name.
I shrink a littleinside, even thoughI've alwaysliked my name –
especially when Papatells me storiesabout how that Irenenever said a bad thingabout anyone.
I don't think I canpossibly live up to that,but I want to try.
So I push back my shoulders,look Dennis in the eye,and tell him the otherthing I know about my name.Actually, Irene is the Greek goddess of Peace.
And, by the way,old ladies are cool.I'm going to be onesomeday. <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> <br />--> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>- Irene Latham</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0sZ3C3aDf4..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="229" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0sZ3C3aDf4..." width="400" /></a></div>And then I received in the mail from the publisher a beautiful book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alma-How-She-G... AND HOW SHE GOT HER NAME</a> by <a href="http://www.juanamartinezneal.com/&quo... Martinez-Neal </a>(Candlewick). This is Juana's debut as an author-illustrator, but her illustration work has been well awarded! This book, too, has gotten a number of starred reviews already, and it's easy to see why.<br /><br />Little Alma has six names (!), and she wants to know where they all come from. So her daddy introduces her to the people for whom she's been named. The book is wonderfully affirming and also leaves the reader with these questions: <i>What is the story of your name? What story would you like it to tell?</i><br /><i><br /></i>The above poem is part of my answer. As for the story I'd like it to tell.... well, I think every book I write is the answer to that question! As is this blog... I hope the story "Irene" tells is this: "she lives her poem."<br /><br />What about you, your name, your story?<br /><br />

It's Not Every Day I Meet Another Irene

assembly with 6th graders
at Springville Middle  SchoolLast week it was my great pleasure to spend some time in Springville, Alabama -- which is a mere 15 minutes from my new home! I sure didn't know when we scheduled the visit that I would be living so close by the time the visit came around. And it was such a great day! 
sharing my Ludelphia doll
with some great guys! at the library with one of the classesThanks to the mad organizational skills of Jamie Twente, director of Springville Public Library who (along with lovelies Sarah and Ann!) coordinated with Springville Middle School, all the 6th graders read my book LEAVING GEE'S BEND before the visit. Isn't that fabulous?! It makes SUCH a difference in the quality and impact of the visit. We began the day with an assembly at the school first thing in the morning. The rest of the day was spent just a few blocks away at the library, as one by one, the classes came in for a Q&A session. The kids were so sweet and asked such great questions! 
This was a walking field trip for students that also included a stop at a quilt exhibit on the adult side of the library as well as a visit to the local historical museum. (I haven't checked it out yet, but I will!) What a sweet little town filled with sweet people! I'm so grateful for this opportunity, and for the warm welcome.
AND... I was especially delighted when one girl introduced herself -- her middle name is Irene! Which is quite unusual these days, as Irene is such an old name... she, too, was named after a great grandmother. We had to take a selfie:
Two Irenes!I look forward to spending more time at the Springville Library. Who knows? We might even start a book club... or a poetry camp! Stay tuned. :)

Dreaming and Making with Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit lovely Laura at Writing the World for Kids for Roundup.

In these parts, today marks the beginning of spring break. Woohooo! We have some adventures planned for the break -- and some relaxation, too.... calm before the storm that is National Poetry Month. :)

Today I am celebrating the lovely, generous and wise Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, who has not one but TWO new books this month. Congratulations, Amy!!! I'm excited to share with all of you a bit from each.

First, DREAMING OF YOU by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, illus. by Aaron DeWitt, brought to us by Boyds Mills Press. This is a sweet bedtime book, and it's earned a starred review from Kirkus!

Amy IS a star, and always has been, so this feels particularly fitting - and I know how validating critical acclaim can be... it helps make us feel like our work is valuable, that someone "gets" it. And it can be the shot in the arm we need to keep going in this oh-so-challenging children's book industry. So, yay!

The book features animals and what they are dreaming about... kittens, turtles, fireflies... and horses! I have to share with you the verse about horses:

Horses are dreaming of wild, windy rides. Horses are dreaming of wide open spaces. Horses are dreaming of you telling secrets into long ears as you nuzzle their faces.
Isn't that lovely and sweet and exactly what horses are surely dreaming about? It makes me want to write verses about what other animals are dreaming... and maybe what Ruby (our dog) is dreaming! (A rubber chicken, perhaps? That squirrel that always always gets away? The sway of the breeze and the swell of the sun as she rides with us on the boat?) Fun.
And now, I've got to share with you about WITH MY HANDS: Poems about Making Things by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, picutres by Lou Fancher & Steve Johnson, brought to us by Clarion Books. Amy is a maker, a do-er, so this book is like sharing an afternoon in Amy-land! I love it. Maybe because I am a maker and a do-er, too... my whole life I've been painting and doodling and stained-glassing and scrapbooking and collaging and quilting and stitching and baking and crafting. And there are poems in this book for many of these things! I'd like to share 2 of my favorites: I am in love with the placement
of the text on the page!
Knittingby Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
My grandma                       taught mehow to knit                       and when it's coldI like to sit                       with needlesand a ball of yarn.                        I think of sheepout in the barn                        wearing woolthat soon will be                          knitted bysomeone like me.                         And as my fingerstwisty-twirl                         each stitch intoa knit or purl                         I watch my windowfill with snow.                         I listenas my needles go                         clicking-clackingto and fro                          and watchmy knitting                           growand grow.---------------
.... and the closing poem:
With My Handsby Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
When I make something newI am never the same.
I can never go backto the person I was.
For the thing that I madeis a part of me now.
I changed it.It changed me.
I am differentbecause
I brought a new somethingto lie with my hands.
If you are a makerthen you understand.
------------I DO understand! I DO! Thank you, Amy. And here are a few of my latest creations... a sign pointing the way (down)
to the lake!

...and here it is close-up, while the paint was still drying:
....and here is a garland of origami swans... my son has made and gifted these to me over the years, and I finally figured out a lovely way to display them!
....finally, here is a double-sided t-shirt quilt I've just made for our youngest son as a graduation gift (shh!). It includes t-shirts from all the concerts he's been to with his dad. :)

side "Rock"
side "Roll"Happy making! Happy reading! Happy dreaming! xo

VOICES IN THE AIR by Naomi Shihab Nye

<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> <br />--> <br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vE9x97dMdH..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vE9x97dMdH..." /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Just wanted to share today a couple of favorite poems from <a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re... IN THE AIR: Poems for Listeners by Naomi Shihab Nye</a>. The book is in part a celebration of some of Naomi's favorite poets and artists. It's also kind of a recipe for living. AND it shows readers how this writing life isn't solitary at all. Our writing is impacted by everything we read... and we should be reading A LOT. Including this book. :) Enjoy!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> </div>--> <br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Woven by Air, Texture by Air</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Your job is to find out what the world is trying to be.” - <i>William Stafford</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div>Some birds hide in leaves so effectively <br />you don't see they're all around you. <br />Brown tilted heads, observing human maneuvers <br />on a sidewalk. Ws that a crumb someone threw? <br />Picking and poking, no fanfare for company, <br />gray huddle on a branch, blending in. <br />Attention deeper than a whole day. <br />Who says, I'll be a thoughtful bird when I grow up? <br />Stay humble, blend, belong to all directions. <br />Fly love, love a shadow. And sing, sing freely, <br />never let anything get in the way of your singing, <br />not darkness, not winter, <br />not the cries of flashier birds, not the silence <br />that finds you steadfast <br />pen ready, at the edge of four a.m. <br />Your day is so wide it will outlive everyone. <br />It has no roof, no sides.<br /><br />-<i> Naomi Shihab Nye</i><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><b>In Transit</b><br /><br />I mailed a package to myself, it never arrived.<br />Months later, wondering what it contained...<br />the package was oversized, I paid extra.<br />Mailed it from a place under trees. Surely shade<br />and sunlight was in the package. Mailed it<br />from a place compassionate to refugees.<br />Unopened envelopes inside the package,<br />poems from kind students hoping for response.<br />How do we answer without knowing<br />who they were or what they said?<br />This is why you must smile at everyone,<br />living and dead, everywhere you go.<br />You have no idea what has been lost<br />in transit.<style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> </div>--><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>- Naomi Shihab Nye</i></div>

Movie Monday: TEMPLE GRANDIN

Wow, it's been a while since I posted for a Movie Monday -- not because we haven't seen any movies. We have! Bunches! There just hasn't been one I've loved enough to blog about. I mean, the whole Oscar season came and went, and I just felt meh about the nominated movies. Which makes me double happy to be blogging today about a movie that made me think and feel and that we're still talking about days later: TEMPLE GRANDIN, starring Claire Danes.

Originally a 2010 TV movie, it tells the story of Temple, who has autism, and how she learned to use the gifts of autism to make important changes -- and a place for herself -- in the animal husbandry industry.

The message of the movie is a timely one: "different, not less."

I loved how determined Temple was, how truly herself she was. And because I happen to love someone who happens to be on the spectrum, I could relate. I've seen this coexistence of brilliance and struggle. I've wondered so many times, what to do? How to help?

The movie shows us that the best thing we can do is love each other, let people be exactly who they are -- while also encouraging and pushing them to be their best selves. This is not just a gift to give people with autism, but how we can love anyone and everyone in the world.

Pretty inspirational... and now I've got to read Temple Grandin's books. (I've read a number of her articles over the years, but not her books.) Must remedy! Meanwhile, here's Temple giving an amazing TED talk.

HIDDEN CITY: Poems of Urban Wildlife by Sarah Grace Tuttle

Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit lovely Linda at TeacherDance for Roundup.

It's my pleasure to share with you today HIDDEN CITY: Poems of Urban Wildlife by Sarah Grace Tuttle, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers).

Big congratulations to Sarah on her debut! How exciting. (Also: Sarah gave me permission to share that she goes by "Sarah" in real life, but is using her full name "Sarah Grace Tuttle" for her books to distinguish herself from other Sarah Tuttles and also to honor the "spitfire" great-grandmother she was named after!)

HIDDEN CITY is a collection of little snapshots/celebration of life in the city. It's free verse with lots of movement and sound -- Red-winged blackbird goes “Twee! Twee!” Inchworm “drops!/ dangles/ drops!/dangles” Crickets “chreet...chreet!” The book moves through the seasons across a wide variety of cityscapes and includes a wide variety of life... plants, mammals, birds, and insects.

Here are two excerpts... and then, please keep reading to learn Sarah's answers to three simple prompts!
Bat Breakfast
by Sarah Grace Tuttle
By a glowing street lamplittle brown batshuntwith adart!And a swoop!And a hastywing-scoop!For mothsdrawn by the light.

Falcon Fledgeby Sarah Grace Tuttle

A peregrine falconsix weeks oldteeters thirty-two stories abovebusy sidewalks and a traffic jam.She clutces the edge of her nest,bobs her head,and thenflap! Flap-flap flaps her wingsleaps!And fumble-flies downto a roof across the street:first flight.---------------And now, here's Sarah!
Sarah Grace TuttleThe difficult: Picking which birds to include in Hidden City was extremely difficult! There are many, many city birds that I love, but I decided early on that I wanted the poems to have an even distribution of species diversity. So, I was elated when I saw that Amy’s illustrations included many more of my favorite birds than I could in my writing.
The delicious: Hidden City has been many years in the making. Throughout the course of the book’s development, I’ve watched Urban Ecology become a more accepted and popular scientific discipline, and the movement to recognize, value and foster nature in cities pick up ever-growing speed. It is delicious to me that, in a small way,Hidden City is a part of tha­t movement.
The unexpected: Writing is a very solitary process in many ways, so it has been a joyous surprise to see the ways in which Hidden City has added community to my life. From leading me to seek out additional ways to interact with nature in my area, to sparking fascinating conversations and true friendships… all areas of my life have been enriched by the process of creating this book.------------Thank you, Sarah!! So pleased and proud for your very first book of children's poetry. May there be many more! xo

Books Have Helped Me

I recently read OVERHEARD IN A TOWER BLOCK: Poems by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Kate Milner. This book has garnered some critical acclaim in the UK, so I wanted to check it out. It's a series of poems, all about growing up in a housing project -- which can be gritty and difficult, but also with beautiful moments. These poems all stand alone, which I appreciate! Here's one I can relate to completely:


Books Have Helped Me
by Joseph Coelho

Books have more images between their words
than any smart phone could hold.
More flavours than a thousand jelly beans.
More lives for you to live
than any computer game.

Books have helped me.

I've read about characters
who have laughed, cried and sighed like me.

Characters who have battled
monsters larger than any I could imagine.

Characters who have travelled distances longer
than there are miles between me and the sun.

When I thumb through a book
their pages whisper to me
that I'll be all right.

----
And here's one more, for those of us who love getting/sending snailmail:

When Your Letters Came
by Joseph Coelho

When your letters came...
I stuck the stamps in my scrapbook,
sent my dreams to a secret shore.

A place imagined from each tiny image:
peeled palm trees,
grand ships and heroes,
a magical land

where you sat under a sticky sky,
writing promises
in sun-faded ink.

----
Want more? Click to see/hear the author reading his poem "The Watchers" on vimeo.

The Alabama Report

Wow, last week was some kind of week! It was my great pleasure to welcome Charles Waters to Alabama, where we shared time with readers and writers and good folks of all kinds!

me (wearing my Roll Tide
 sweater!) with Ludelphia
and Paige MillerOur first stop was Tuscaloosa/T-town/The University of Alabama. While I am an Auburn fan (!), I did earn a graduate degree from Alabama... and I DO like elephants... and I have never had anything but good times in Tuscaloosa!

This time I was pleased and grateful to work again with the ever-inspiring Paige Miller of the Women and Gender Resource Center and Jamie Naidoo of the Library Sciences department -- and also new President of ALSC! (I know, it was like being in the presence of royalty! Except without all the bowing and such. Jamie is one of the nicest, smartest people on the planet.)

I was thrilled to share LEAVING GEE'S BEND with the brown bag lunch crowd, and then later that evening to join Charles in introducing CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR?
I never get tired of watching Charles perform his poems! Isn't this THE BEST?!The next day we had an amazing day at Shades Mountain Elementary School in Hoover, Alabama. This visit was arranged by Ann Marie Corgill who not only is a fabulous teacher, but is just one of the best humans ever. And I'm not the only one who thinks so: she's a former Alabama Teacher of the Year! I was moved to tears more than once interacting with these precious kids and reading their poems and art... which Charles and I are in the process of getting on display in our Padlet gallery. (Do take a look... more pieces added all the time!) Meanwhile, check out this amazing Sound Wave art! The kids read and recorded our poem "Dear Mrs. Vandenberg," used software to create the soundwave, then made it into art! Isn't that brilliant?!


Charles Waters, Irene Latham, Pat(ty Jean) WeaverNext up was the SCBWI Writing and Illustrating for Kids conference. Many thanks to the slew of volunteers who made it happen! It started with a signing during which Charles and I were able to present a little about the book -- after which, the bookseller apologetically announced he'd sold out of our books! A good problem to have, right? Also: Linda Sue Park bought our book!!!! Amazing, right? :) We also got a pic of me, Charles, and the real-life Patty Jean (who appears in the book!). Fun. I'm so grateful to friends who came out to support us... a thousand thank yous!!

One of the best parts of the weekend was (finally!) introducing Charles to my family, and my family to Charles! Here he is with two of my most precious: my bodyguards :)And finally: check out this adorable video!

New Picture Books to Celebrate Family and Home

I've got quite a busy week ahead, full of all kinds of wonderment, so I thought I would leave you with a pair of books! And if you haven't already signed up, there are just a few spots left for this year's Progressive Poem! Sign up here. Now, the books:



MEET MY FAMILY! Animal Babies and Their Families by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (Millbrook/Lerner)

and


A PLACE TO START A FAMILY:  Poems About Creatures that Build by David L. Harrison, illustrated by Giles Laroche (Charlesbridge)
.....................
I love MEET MY FAMILY! for the way it includes a ton of nonfiction info -- and yet ultimately is about celebrating ALL families, whatever they look like. A variety of animal babies tell us something about their families, like "My parents both take care of me" (tundra swan cygnets) and "I've never met my dad" (raccoon kits). Even adopted kids are represented, which pleases me, as the big sister of three adopted siblings.

This book is a great example of "layers" -- rhyming text! additional nonfiction prose! animal baby names! global! words in different languages! inclusivity/acceptance! If you are looking to write nonfiction picture books, this is a great mentor. Plus it's just plain adorable and will leave you smarter -- and happier about the world.

A PLACE TO START A FAMILY contains poems about animal architects and is divided into sections: Builders Underground, On Land, In Water, In Air -- plus a bonus poem about "A Different Kind of Builder" (Sun Coral).

My favorite is the stork poem, in part, because as a kid I loved THE WHEEL ON THE SCHOOL by Meindert DeJong, which features storks building their nest (on the wheel on the school). This fascinated me -- still does. And now here is David Harrison's poem:

White Stork

When high on chimney top you nest,
legend tells us those who dwell
within the house are surely blessed.

How old your nest no one can tell,
you keep it in such good repair.
Your ancestors placed it well.

With sturdy sticks they built it there,
where now you cast your lucky spell
and raise your baby storks with care.

- David L. Harrison

Back matter includes additional info about each animal builder and "Learn More!" links.

Here's the text related to the above poem:

"White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)

Folklore says that storks bring good luck and deliver babies, but the only babies they deal with hatch from the eggs they lay in enormous nests on rooftops, church spires, and other high places. Some nests are used for many generations of storks and can be seven feel across and ten feet deep. Both parents take care of the chicks until they leave the nest, which happens when they are about two months old. Juveniles aren't very colorful, but adults are nearly four feet all, with brown eyes, a red bill and legs, a white body, black wing tips and wings that stretch up to seven feet from tip to top."

I hope you'll give these a read!

Alabama Friends, Hope to See You This Week!

[image error] March 7, noon: University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL), Women and Gender Resource Center, brown bag lunch talk: "The Power of Quilting: Connecting Women Across Cultures"



March 7, 6:00-7:30 pm, University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL), Gorgas Library, room 205:"Writing about Race, Mistakes, and Friendship" with Charles Waters (my co-author who is visiting from New York City!). Book signing to follow.[image error]
March 9, Homewood Library (Homewood, AL), 3:30-5:30 Meet amazing authors! Be inspired!
Charles and I will be joining a slew of other children's book authors and illustrators for an SCBWI reading and signing.
...and... this is not a public event, but Charles and I are excited to be visiting Shades Mountain Elementary in Hoover.... and I will be introducing Charles to friends, family and the real-life Patty Jean (who makes an appearance in CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR?). It's going to be fun!