Peggy Archer
Children's Author

What a fun month April has been!

I visited schools and libraries where I talked about my books and writing poetry. I got some great questions from the students (and grown ups, too) and got to meet some very nice people. There was a book launch party for my new book, NAME THAT DOG! at the Valpo Library, complete with dog bone cookies, and cookies in the doggy dish. Thanks to everyone who was there to help celebrate. I met pet owners and some beautiful dogs at the Be Kind to Animals event, sponsored by the Porter County Animal Shelter and PAW, at the PC Expo Center. And I've enjoyed the book reviews, and seeing my new book finally out in bookstores. I'll be wrapping things up for a bit next week after a presentation at a Young Authors Event in Plainfield, Indiana. Be sure to keep an eye out for new pictures being added on the left.

Later in May I'll be taking time out for our Indiana SCBWI Spring Conference, and to enjoy our daughter's wedding! It's been a joyful year.

I thought I would wrap up this week's blog post with one of the poems that did not make it into the book. This one is for Spot:

One black nose
Is all that shows
In all that fur she’s got.

White as snow
From head to toe--
I think I’ll call her
Spot!

(copyright Peggy Archer)

Here are a few more websites to check out for National Poetry Month.

www.rhymezone.com
Rhyme Zone: a rhyming dictionary and thesauris.

http://laurasalas.livejournal.com/213207.html
15 Words or Less: Take the challenge by Laura Salas. Write a poem in 15 words or less, prompted by photos posted.

http://jamarattigan.livejournal.com/411405.html
Alphabet Soup: a fun interview by Greg Pincus is one of the Poetry Makers featured on Jama Rattigan's blog this month.

http://www.teachingauthors.com/
Teaching Authors: check the latest blog by April Halprin Wayland on How I Wrote This Poem--a Poetry Writing Workout.

Enjoy! Check back next week for more on my latest school and library visits.

I hope to see some of you at the book launch for my picture book, NAME THAT DOG! Puppy Poems from A to Z

What a wonderful week-end spent in Mitchell, IN, where I met local and neighboring librarians-- including some poets!-- at the Mitchell Public Library. The friendly reception (and the afternoon tea!) were awesome. Thanks to Alexis and library staff for making it such a pleasant visit. Even the weather gave us a warm welcome :) There are some pictures from the event posted to the left of this blog.

Name That Dog!, my newest picture book of poetry for children, received some very nice reviews, which I've posted on my website under 'My Works--Name That Dog!'.

Booklist comments "T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum has his practical cats; Peggy Archer has puppies from A to Z. This picture-book poetry collection presents a rogues’ gallery of pooches in selections designed to help an unidentified dog owner name his or her new pet..." and ends by saying "A great choice for dog lovers, this will easily find a place in elementary-school language-arts classes."

Book Page included Name That Dog! in its list of new poetry books, and says "Name That Dog! is a crowd-pleasing canine chorus."

The Chicago Tribune starts out "Imagine the appeal of “The Puppy Channel” between book covers. The premise: Every puppy needs a name that’s perfect...."

I hope this book finds a place in the hearts of its readers.

Here are a few more sites to check out for poetry month!
http://gottabook.blogspot.com/
April 2010
Thirty Days, Thirty Poets
blog by Gregory K. Pincus

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6516981.html?rid=413491236&q=poetry
An introduction to sijo poems, an art form that originated in Korea, in this interview with Linda Sue Parks.

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/search/siteall?q=poetry&t=&t1=&t2=&tf=&ct=&at=
An article by Marilyn Singer, ALA Poetry Blast coordinator, on "...Making Poems a Part of Children’s Every Day Lives" gives some ideas on ways to excite children about poetry. Marilyn's new book of poetry for children, "Mirror, Mirror," was released this month.

Enjoy! And join in celebrating poetry for children this month!

It's Poetry Month, and I've discovered some great blogs and websites about children's poetry that I'd like to share.

1. Sylvia Vardell's "Poetry for Children" blog has a game of Poetry Tag going on! Each day features a different children's poet and one of their poems, which is linked to the poet before them. Go to http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com.

2. Brown Bag Poetry features a poetry lesson plan by Kim Norman. Find it at www.kimnormanbooks.com.

3. Giggle Poetry's website is an award winning site for kids and adults who wish they were still kids. The site inclues poems, games, ask the poet, and much more. Check it out at www.gigglepoetry.com.

4. Check out poet Doug Florian's blog and get a sneak peek into his new book, Poetrees. Go to http://floriancafe.blogspt.com.

5. Caldecott Honor Award winner Joyce Sidman's website features a poetry challenge and poetry starters. Take a look at www.joycesidman.com.

More to come next week!

It's official-- Name That Dog! is finally released for sale by Penguin's Dial Books for Young Readers,and is available in bookstores and on line!

Happy Spring!

Happy Poetry Month!

Happy Reading!

I'll be looking at poetry books for children, poetry blogs and websites, and posting more this month.