Summer floats on heated air with temperatures rising to 100 degrees this year. I remember similar dog days of summer in Central New York when I was a child. My home was not airconditioned but just right for a cold garden hosing and a good book.
Poetry found me early in life. Authors, like the beloved poet Lee Bennett Hopkins, brought joy to avid readers like myself. He urged us to remember:
"There shouldn't be a day without poetry."
When learning that Eerdmans Publishing Co. would publish Bless Our Pets -Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends, one of Lee's last children's books in April 2024, I was delighted to review the book. Bless Our Pets is a sweet, tender book filled with fourteen poems about different kinds of animal pets written by celebrated poets.
At the beginning of the book the fabulous illustrator, Lita Judge, dedicates Bless Our Pets To all the critters who share their love with us.
Are you intrigued by the beautiful artwork and the fact that Lee Bennett Hopkins continued toward the end of his life still creating and honoring the gift of poetry? As Charles Egita said, "Lee is and always will be 'The Pied Piper of Poetry' ." The poem, Kitten, begins the anthology and ends with a two-page spread poem about Lee's pet, My Old Dog.
Bless Our Pets is noted as a celebration of creatures.
Your eyes are lantern-bright,
round as chestnuts,
We grow together
watching over every tiny part.
I pray you retain some essential wildness.
I wish you safe, curled in my arm.
Place your paws upon my thumb,
your breath warm upon my fingertips.
I'm grateful for the endless joy you bring so
I pet you until dinner.
Thank you for inviting me.
I'll always be here to take care of you
You've earned your rest. You've been the best.
Let's cherish the many wondrous times we have together.
©CVarsalona, 2024, Cento Poem
compiled from Bless Our Pets with lines from each poet
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See the Credits below to note the different pets included in Bless Our Pets.
Line 1 Ann Whitford Paul, Kitten
Line 2 Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Puppy
Line 3 Linda Trott Dickman, Goldfish
Line 4 Eric Ode, A Prayer for My Gerbil
Line 5 Ralph Fletcher, Prayer for a Parakeet
Line 6 Joan Bransfield Graham, Lop-Eared Rabbit
Line 7 Sarah Grace Tuttle, Hamster Hoping
Line 8 Kristine O'Connell George, Dreaming of Savannah
Line 9 Darren Sardelli, A Letter to My Guinea Pig
Line 10 B.J. Lee, Box Turtle
Line 11 Charles Ghigna, Pet Snake?
Line 12 Lois Lowry, Mouse Dreams
Line 13 Prince Redcloud, Old Calico
Line 14 Lee Bennett Hopkins, My Old Dog
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Lee Bennett Hopkins created this wonder-filled book with love as did his group of poet writers. Each poem is crafted with language suitable for 4-8 year-old children. The art work is amazing, vibrant, and realistic. Students will enjoy not only reading this book but trying to write their own poem about a pet animal. Some children may enjoy created art work to accompany their poem. Perhaps, Bless Our Pets will be an opening lesson in a Creative Writing / Literacy station this fall.
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Teachers, librarians, and parents, please find a special spot this summer to read through this gem of a poetry book. I know that Lee must be filled with joy to have this book available for little and big readers. Enjoy the rest of the summer.
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I am joining the Poetry Friday Roundup hosted by my friend, Margaret Simon, who will surely use this book in her classes that are starting in two weeks. I look forward to seeing some of the original poems that her gifted students will create. Perhaps, there are some artists that will share their talent also.
.JPG)