Welcome to Wild Rose Reader

Why start my own blog?

Well, the Blue Rose Girls had originally planned for me to be an occasional contributor to their terrific blog. Then Kelly at Big A, little a and Anne at Book Buds created the Cybils. I really wanted to serve on the poetry-nominating panel. The BRG signed me on as a regular contributor so I could be a panelist. We decided that I’d post on Poetry Fridays because I’m a poetry freak.

Grace Lin has been encouraging me to start my own blog for many months. Susan at Chicken Spaghetti also suggested the same thing a little while ago. They thought I could write about more than poetry books. I will admit that I was resistant to the idea…until last weekend. Grace and I communicated via emails and telephone calls. She explained how to set up a new blog—and here it is!


Why Wild Rose Reader?

I had come up with several blog titles: The Old Biddy Blogger, The Liberal Librarian, and others. Then I thought I’d like to acknowledge my connection to the fabulous Blue Rose Girls—so I decided to have the word “rose” in the title. And since I’m a bit of wild business…and I like wild roses…why not Wild Rose Reader?

That’s my story—and I’m sticking to it!


My High Hopes for the Wild Rose Reader Blog

I will still review poetry books and post some of my original poems…but I hope to do more than that. Here are some ideas I have for features for my new blog:

Interviews with Children’s Poets: Two of my favorite poets have already consented to be interviewed!

What Do You Do with a Book Like This?: In these posts, I will give suggestions for activities that can be used as creative extensions for children’s books.

Great Read-alouds for Little Listeners: I’ll talk about some of the picture books—many which are rhythmic and rhyming—that I think are perfect for reading aloud to very young children.

Book Bunch: I love making thematic lists of books—just like Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect. I did it all the time when I was an elementary classroom teacher. I’d like to continue to do that here at Wild Rose Reader.

A Perfect Pair: I will discuss two books with a common storyline or theme.

Picture Book Imports: I will review picture books originally published in other countries.

I Am Looking for a Poem About…: When I put up a post with this title, readers can ask for help in finding a poem on a particular topic. (I may have to limit the number of requests I can fulfill.)


If you have read what I have written so far carefully, you will have noticed that I said that these are my “high hopes” for this blog. Hope is one thing…reality is another. I think I may be able to post just two or three times a week—and I will always post on Poetry Friday!!!

I want to thank all of you out there in the kidlitosphere who wished me well with my new blog on my Poetry Friday post of March 30th at Blue Rose Girls and to those of you who have given me encouragement in your comments to my posts and in personal emails.


Before I sign off for today—the first day of National Poetry Month—I’d like to leave you with a poem about hope by Emily Dickinson.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—

And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And sore must be the storm—
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm—

I’ve heard it in the chillest land—
And on the strangest sea—
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb—of me.


This post is dedicated to the Blue Rose Girls. You rock, ladies! Thanks for everything.





Libby Kiponen

and

Alvina Ling









Anna Alter

and

Grace Lin





I never had the opportunity to get a picture of the lovely Linda Wingerter--or marvleous Meghan McCarthy, the tell it like it is girl. She is a tad camera shy.


HAPPY NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!