One Little Board Book Makes a Splashy Impression

My review on the charming new boardbook,Tractor Dance, started on a Saturday during wintertime. The weather was very cold but my little grandgirls didn't mind because they were by the fireplace ready to listen to a fabulous new children's book by the amazing writer, Matt Forrest Esenwine. 

The girls were intrigued by a colorful peek of the board book,Tractor Dance, that was found on my computer.  Mr. Matt emailed me the unpublished version of his book, in the form of a arc. This was before the official release date of Tractor Dance  and the first time the two older grandgirls (ages 5 and 7 years at that time) had seen an arc. The day was cold but no one minded. It was a special day for reading in front of a fireplace.

Sierra, my oldest grand daughter, was a fantastic reader so she read the book aloud to her middle sister, Aurora. While reading Sierra decided to pause and write down words that were new to her. I was surprised that she was interested in broadening her vocabulary in such a clever way but I remember as a young child that my teacher suggested that I become a logophile. I was pleased that this new book had a collection of words that would expand children's vocabulary. Sierra chose the following words to remember: hoedown, jig, rib, baler, promenading, backhoe, combine, drawl, and polka. My middle granddaughter, Aurora, enjoyed the read aloud. After the story was told, we left the computer open in front of the fireplace for additional reads. 

As time past and the girls visited my home, the youngest granddaughter, Lila who was almost two-years-old, became curious about the new book, Tractor Dance. Mr. Matt sent me the board book so Lila and her sisters could take took time perusing the book and enjoying the illustrations. After listening to the read aloud, Lila loved the title so much that she repeated it as she danced around the great room with the board book. 

The colorful illustrations created by Jen Taylor, and the format of the book is a gem that will engage children from pre-school to early elementary grades. My younger two grandgirls used the illustrations to pair the story line with the colorful visuals before I inquired on what they thought of this unique board book.

Girls, what makes this story by Mr. Matt interesting to you?" Sierra stated, "It was a good story about a farm tractor that enjoyed having fun late at night with his truck friends." Aurora, enjoyed listening to the story and Lila loved holding the book and turning the thick pages. I was delighted that the girls enjoyed the story as much as they did. The little grandgirls and I decided that we loved the storyline, especially the dancing parts. Since we never lived on a farm we enjoyed Tractor's evening hoedown with friends. The girls also liked listening to the rhymes in the story. Each page ofTractor Dance brought one more event of an evening dance party that lasted all night long. The moon was bright and the stars sparkling while the farm vehicles and animals spent the night dancing away until they were exhausted from party fun. 

This book is ideal for children. Perhaps, Tractor Dance, will become not only  book for a child's library but one for pre-school and early elementary classes. You may wish to ask your local librarians to purchase the book for children read alouds. This book will become a favorite for children who love to read, dance, and perhaps write a short story on what Tractor will do next.

Thank you Matt Forrest Esenwine and Jen Taylor for

offering such a fun, rhyming story book for younger children.

Let's do a "shimmy-shake " and applaud the author who wrote a charming story that children can relate to and also to the illustrator for the adorably, friendly characters who share the magic of night on the farm. Let's not forget the publisher, Susan Schadt Press, who brought this beloved book into the world of literacy bliss. Althought this book is labeled for babies to 3-year-olds you can see by the excitement my grandgirls had for the book that early elementary children will find delight also. Perhaps, the book will encourage readers to create their own story or poem about a fun summer night such as my quick write cherita poem below. 

Hoedown Boogie Magic

listen to the evening sounds

echoing through the night sky

bringing magical pleasure all around

dance along with Tractor and his farm friends

be bold, dream of a hoedown that makes you swoon

wake up to the morning light wishing for more this June

Happy Summer Reading to All!

I hope you enjoyed my little grandgirls' and my review of Tractor Dance by Matt Forrest Esenwine, illustrated by Jen Taylor.

**********

It's time for Poetry Friday to bring poetry goodness to all.

Thank you to my friendly photographer, author, poet, and publisher, Carol Labuzzetta, for hosting this week's Poetry Friday Roundup. She is back from her trip to Yosemite and excited about her various projects.

Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2025

Wintering

It's December, a month of transition from Autumn to Winter and one year to the next. The temperatures are dipping lower, reminding me to slow down and pause but there is so much to do during the holiday season. 

Lately, I wake up thinking about what needs to be accomplished. Autumn decorations need to be boxed for next year. The laundry room is full of wash. Cookies need to be baked for our Cookies With Santa event. This hardly sounds like a slow-down day!

 What happened to reconnecting with nature? It's a frigid day so I shall spend most of the day indoors, pausing between the to-dos. I check in during afternoons and again at night to reflect on my heartthoughts that help me relax.

With that in mind, I am delighted that Kim Haynes Johnson, host of this month's Spiritual Journey Thursday, offers wintering as our theme.  I spent several days pondering how to create a slow-down period with warm memories. Then I found inspirational quotes and samples of Katherine May's book, Wintering: the Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times .

Wintering brings about some of the most profound and insightful moments of our human experience and wisdom resides in those who have wintered. -Kathering May, Wintering: the Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

As the winter winds blow in and snowstorms blanket many parts of the country. winter brings the opportunity to slow down and turn inward, beckoning us to come back to ourselves (Hilary Nicholls). Self-care during the winter is important. I hope to reach beyond my personal to-dos to give to others, especially my family. With an open mind and heart, I shall pass through the winter season with a mindful and positive attitude. Short pauses will help me reconnect with nature, faith, family, friends, and creativity.

Wintering Whispers

Looking out from my picture window

I see the beauty of a winter blue sky.

Almost bare trees sway in the distance.

I open the door to feel the cold. Brrr! 

Frosty December days are here. 

          Layers of clothing are needed.

Before checking off the to-do list

I pause, the holidays are nearing.

I breathe in crisp air and smile. Our 

family dinner after Grandmasitting

warms my heart. The memories last.

My little grandgirls were cuddled up,

with winter throws next to the fireplace.

Crumbs from the family dinner spread

Across the table. One quiet request was

Asked. Grandma, can I have a cookie? 

We were all present enjoying together-

Time as it should be. The onset of winter

Brings rest and renewal, transforming 

Thoughts beyond an ordinary day into

A shared experience with loved ones. 

Is it wintering that moves heartthoughts, 

Transforming my next spiritual journey?

draft ©CVarsalona, 2024 

I pause here to listen to an excerpt from the book, Wintering, by Katherine May. I hope you enjoy it also.

I close with another quote from Katherine May that inspires me to rethink next year's spiritual journey since this year has been a difficult one. 

“Wintering is the courage to stare down the worst parts of our experience and to commit to healing them the best we can.”

The healing part of life is what I am interested in now. Winter provides the time to plant seeds of renewal. I look forward to the soothing warmth of a nearby fireplace and the laughter of children enjoying the winter.

Wintering is every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself.-Elizabeth Gilbert

 

Thank you to Kim Haynes Johnson for hosting the Spiritual Journey

and 

Carol Labuzzetta for hosting Poetry Friday. 

  Suppose you have not read Carol's fabulously designed Picture Perfect Poetry, An Anthology   of Ekphrastic Nature Poetry for Students.  You may be interested in this book. Carol gathered a beautiful collection of ekphrastic poems and designed it in color. This would make a lovely gift for the holidays. You can read a sample here.

Note: I send my apologies to Poetry Friday friends for not commenting last week. A dear friend passed away and we had to travel from Virginia to Long Island for the weekend. 

Nostalgic Thoughts

Educators are in back-to-school mode, so providing students with a fresh perspective on the curriculum is important. My back-to-school thoughts are ignited by a conversation with my granddaughters. 

How was the beginning of school, Sierra (2nd grader)? What did you learn? 

             Obviously, I learned, Grandma! 

                   Then, I turned to Aurora our PreK student. What did you learn at school?

                       I don't know!

To step into the back-to-school mood, I blended mathematics with simple poetic formats to bring back the wonders of summer. I chose the Fiib poem format which has a syllable count following the Fibonacci series (1,1,2,3,5,8,13...)

Nostalgic Thoughts

sand

tucked

in toes

remnants of

sand-blown, childhood days

whirling in fabulous, sun-baked

shorelines, swishing alongside

a school of baby fish

©Carol Varsalona, 2024

Then, I found a lovely quote from a Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis poem that provided a title. You can read the rest of her poem here.

Nostalgia - that's the Autumn

Dreaming through September

Just a million lovely things

I always will remember.

There are many other simple formats for students to remember their summer memories. There is a haiku below.

Happily, we bask in this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures.

-Henry David Thoreau

For more poetic formats for students, please peruse the new book, Picture Perfect Poetry, An Anthology of Ekphrastic Nature Poetry for Students designed by Carol Labuzzetta. You can see my book review here. 

Carol Labuzzetta, editor self-publisher, poet

I turn to the Poetry Friday Roundup hosted by a fabulous author, poet, and nature lover, Buffy Silverman.

"Picture Perfect Poetry"

It's Back-to-School time. As a reading specialist and administrator, I like many other educators found the time to make classrooms and offices inviting. New and old book titles decorated my space.  In my unretirement days, I continue this practice. My library has many titles waiting for my little grandgirls who can always find a new book to read. As a consultant, I search for new children's books to read and review. My 7-year-old grandgirl assists me when I need a child reader involved in a review. As a reader for several years, she can tell me when a book is inviting.

I am pleased to introduce Picture Perfect Poetry, An Anthology of Ekphrastic Nature Poetry for Students. My Poetry Friday friend, educator, and poet, Carol J. Labuzzetta, edited and published a gem of a poetry book for middle-grade students. Besides 5th-9th grade students, teachers, librarians, parents, and community members including homeschoolers will be delighted to read the never-published ekphrastic poetry in this book. Twenty-five author-photographers were inspired to capture a photo and write an accompanying poem for the book. An ekphrastic poem is a type of writing that involves creating original poetry or prose in response to a work of art, often a visual art. As an Indie publisher, Carol J. Labuzzetta spent considerable time producing this book so teachers and students could explore this type of poetry. Picture Perfect Poetry will become an excellent mentor text for the classroom library. 

An appealing part of the book is the addition of color. Each page pops with color. The photographs are beautifully presented, the layout is impressive, and the font format is universal. 

Ekphrastic Poem by Carol Labuzzetta

The book includes instructional resources found in the back matter. Different styles of poems are noted as well. Carol asked me if I would send a photograph without a poem to include in the book. It would become a prompt for writing. More extra photographs (without poems) are included for young writers to compose an Ekphrastic poem. 

Instructional resources are included in the back matter of the book, along with website references for each style of poem included in the anthology. In an interview with Jone MacCulloch Carol Labbuzzetta stated.

I wanted to provide a volume of Poetry that could be used as a mentor text, an instructional manual, or a self-instructive text for highly motivated students. Thus, I included back matter that could be reference easily by teachers, students, homeschool groups or anyone interested in writing poetry. 

Thank you, Carol, for your creativity, preparation, and perseverance in creating a unique poetry anthology centering on nature for young writers. I am honored that you chose three of my Ekphrastic poems for insertion in the book. Next week. I will share more on this gem of this book that blends poetry with photography. 

While this book was published during National Poetry Month due to medical issues, I was delayed in sharing a book review. Virginia's back-to-school opening is an opportunity to showcase Picture Perfect Poetry for classrooms and school libraries. Thank you, Carol Labuzzetta for bringing this amazing book into the world of Kidlit poetry.

It's Poetry Friday hosted by Rose Cappelli. She and her writing group studied line breaks and the revision process using a "Make it and Break it" exercise. She offers an inspiring beach scene photo to ignite her thoughts. 

Spiritual Medicine

“I see poetry as spiritual medicine.”

– Mahmoud Darwish

Without a doubt, I believe in the power of prayer and medicine. After finding the above quote, I realized how much poetry has helped me soothe my soul during difficult times. Both reading and writing poetry have helped me find inner peace. While returning home from a two-and-a-half-week stay in the hospital after two surgeries, I was not only drained of energy but eager to find words to express my feelings. Because I was in isolation in the hospital, I longed for wisps of nature to bring me to an inner place of joy. I penned this draft poem during the week while sitting inside my house and looking outside.

I stare
out my window
watching the arrival
of an upcoming storm.
Winds s w a y
at rapid speed
as raindrops nestle in
between broad leaves.
Nature continues
drenching earth
from her gray sky
to verdant lawns
until showers
abrupty stop
and sunlight
s u r ro u n d s.
©CVarsalona, 2024

Studies show that reading and writing nature poetry increase feelings of connection, wonder, and appreciation for the outdoors (Aulkins et al, 2006). Tonight, I took my first short walk to the muddy pond down the street. Feeling the warmth of the evening sun and listening to the gurgling sounds at the pond, made me grateful for being home. Small steps lead to a new beginning.

Although I wished to join the Poetry Friday Roundup earlier, I shall add my post now to Janice Scully's blog. Janice is sharing the beauty of Carol Labuzzetta's new Picture Perfect Poetry Anthology filled with amazing ekphrastic poems and gorgeous nature photographs. Janice is proud to be one of the contributing poets. I am also one of those poets but that is for another blog post.

Growth on the Spiritual Journey

Springtime offers verdant landscapes with lush settings. It is a time of growth, rebirth, and rejuvenation as Earth reawakens from its winter slumber. The month of May opens the door to our Spiritual Journey host, Jone Rush MacCulloch's, theme on growth.

There is environmental growth and personal, self-growth. The digitized photo of a day with nature is shown below. I distinctly remember walking the grounds of Westbury Gardens, a Long Island historical site, with a euphoric feeling.  Nature was aglow. the grounds were manicured and the gardens blooming. 

What did I learn about springtime from this memorable day? 

• Walking in nature can become a ritual that helps boost energy while developing a positive mindset
• When the earth is blooming there is a sense of calm
• Quiet time helps to get to know yourself 
• Rather than attempting to reach the final draft of ourselves, we should find the courage to keep revising  -Susan David

News:

• I started an abracadabra, magic nine poem for my Poetry Parade Padlet. 
• I will add two wonderful artistic expressions sent via mail from Marcie Flinchum Atkins and Irene Latham. 
• Carol Labuzzetta mailed me her stunning book, Picture Perfect Poetry: An Anthology of Ekphrastic Poetry for Students. I am proud and honored to have three ekphrastic poems and another nature photograph published in her book

You can still send me your image poems or other offerings for the Poetry Parade Padlet, my National Poetry Month project.

Thank you, Jone Rush MacCulloch, for hosting Spiritual Journey with the May theme, growth, for our community of writers. I also thank Buffy Silverman, host of Poetry Friday, for her interesting science-literacy post. I plan on making the rounds this weekend.  

Life Awakens in Spring

It's springtime in Virginia, a time to celebrate nature's transition to warmer weather and the burst of cherry blossom trees. In between sunshine moments, gray April showers sprinkle crystalline drops as nature takes center stage There are many reasons to celebrate springtime. For Poetry Friday nature lovers, poetry love is in the air. It swooshes across the open sky, echoes nature sounds, and opens hearts to the beauty of a spring day that quietly whispers in the wind. 

Morning Springs Open
morning light
streams in
unfolding spring's verdant palette of green
hidden buds buried in earthen soil sprout
breathe in
nature's perfume
peace surrounds
©CVarsalona, 2024, trinet poem


Are you ready to sing praises for a spring morning?
I invite you to be creative.
Snap a spring photo that speaks to you.
Write a poem and mesh the two together.

JOIN ME at The
Padlet, the container for my next
Poetry Parade Gallery of Artistic Expressions

Thank you, Denise Krebs, for being the first colleague to add your spring image poem to the Poetry Parade Padlet.

_____________

I am now ready to join the Poetry Friday Roundup with this week's Poetry Friday host, poet-educator friend Jone Rush MacCulloch. She is sharing a fabulous interview with Carol Labuzzetta, the publisher of a new anthology, Picture Perfect Poetry: An Anthology of Ekphrastic Nature Poetry for Students. I am honored to have several poems and a nature photo in Carol Labuzzetta's book.