Friday, June 28, 2013

Caldecott's 75th Anniversary! Poetry Friday! And Zounds--Sounds!

.
Howdy, Campers!

First of all, I'd like to apologize for pushing the "publish" button instead of the "save" button when I was composing this post yesterday.  As a result, my weird and clearly unfinished post went out to our subscribers above Carmela's wonderful Wednesday Writing Workout (which I highly recommend reading.)  Oy!

Onward...to Poetry Friday!

Thank you, Amy of The Poem Farm for hosting today!
My poem is below.  :-)

Breaking News: the American Library Association is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Caldecott Award at its annual conference!  Right now--right this very minute!


Here's one fascinating fact from the ALA's beautifully put together scrapbook of all things Caldecott:

Until 1958, an artist could not be awarded more than one Caldecott Medal unless the committee's vote was unanimous. In his letter responding to the news, Robert McCloskey expresses his surprise at winning the award a second time.
Except for his first picture book and his last one, Robert McCloskey won either a Caldecott Medal or a Caldecott Honor for every picture book he published. 

And check-out Brian Selznick's design of the 75th anniversary logo.

Here's a 1:03 minute video of last year's Caldecott honor winner, John Rocco, talking about The Phone Call...the moment he learned he'd won the Caldecott honor for his book, Blackout:


and here's a funny-weird 1:49 minute video about getting ready for
this year's Newbery/Caldecott banquet...

And, yes, it's Poetry Friday!  My poem was inspired by Carmela's Wednesday Writing Workout, in which author Melanie Crowder suggests that sounds can spark writing ideas.

But where to start--what sound?  How about applause--applause for all Caldecott winners (and those hard-working Caldecott committee members)? There are so many different kinds of applause, including this and this--which is the applause before a concert begins.  That's the sound that stuck with me.  Here's my rough draft:

INSPIRED BY THE SOUND OF EXPECTANT APPLAUSE
by April Halprin Wayland

On stage:
tune strings,
star in the wings.

In your seat:
fleet squeaks,
copious creaks.

Clap-clap-clap!
Toe-tapping beat,
Impatient feet!

Rise in your seat,
stomp on the floor,
awaken your core!

And even before his wild art starts,
roar
for more!
poem © 2013 April Halprin Wayland. All rights reserved

TeachingAuthors will be taking a vacation from July 1-July 12, 2013.  Ta-ta!  Bye-bye!  Take time to write! See you soon, Raccoons! 



By April Halprin Wayland, who thanks you from the bottom of her little heart for reading all the way to the end. 

16 comments:

Amy LV said...

April - A poem of anticipatory-applause! And applause for you! Audiences can be so grateful, and this fact fills me with hope. I really dig that first stanza - that tuning - it almost feels like we're given a listen into the dressing room. Thank you! My hands beat for you for today and for everything here at Teaching Authors! Have a glorious summer break. Happy PF!

Tara @ A Teaching Life said...

John Rocco's smile throughout his video was proof of the power of Caldecott. Loved the rhythm and joy iof poem....enjoy your summer break!

Anonymous said...

Bravo! (Sound of loud applause here.) Thank you for sharing all the Caldecott info, too!
Catherine

Linda B said...

Love the ending of your poem, "roar, for more"-exactly like the sound. And thank you for all the Caldecott info. I hope they'll tell more about this morning! Happy vacation, April!

Katya said...

I love your celebratory poem. It has such great sounds.


Enjoy your vacation!

jama said...

Such joy and a wonderful upbeat rhythm in your poem, April. Love it! I join in the applause for the Caldecott anniversary. Thanks for the great info!

Robin said...

"Awaken your core" - I love that! Your poem takes me back to my days of playing in the high school orchestra. There is a sense of anticipation that builds to the roar at the end. Lovely!

Ruth said...

Clapping here too!

michelle kogan said...

Great Poem! Loved the climbing rhythm crescendo right up to the end.

April Halprin Wayland said...

Dear Amy, Tara, readingtothecore, Linda, Katya, Jama, Robin, Ruth and Michelle--thank you for coming by. Me and my blogmates appreciate your reading our posts SO much!
xxx

April Halprin Wayland said...

Oh, rats. I meant "My fellow blogmates and I"...

I swear, I should have gotten a ticket from the Grammar Police...

jan godown annino said...

Such fun!

Thank you for bringing this fantabulous 75th event to us.
And in such a fetching, poetic way.

In my writing, such as my 1st ch. book I sent out (fingers crossed) this wk, I think about how to weave sounds into the story.

But... duh.. never realized I can use a sound as a writng prompt or poetry starter. Now I have a new idea, to write a poem about a sound. Thank you!!!

Her is my impromptu poem inspired by this post.

Wheee!

What is that?
Feeling free
You and me

At the beach
In the park

On a walk
in the dark

Up a hill
Down a street

Moving on vacation feet!

- Jan Godown Annino
Happy vacation to the always fantabulous Teaching Authors!

Margaret Simon said...

Love your poem. I can hear it loud and clear. Thanks for the info on the Caldecott.
I also want to thank Jan for her response sound poem about vacation. Such a world of talent in this Poetry Friday community!

Mary Lee said...

Hooray for the Caldecott's 75th!

Unknown said...

Love your poem!
Its refreshing!
Thank you!

April Halprin Wayland said...

Jan--three cheers for sharing your poem with us!

And Margaret, Mary Lee and Teresa--we really appreciate you reading and commenting on our posts--thank you.
<3