I love seeing the variety of poets that crop up in these poetry picture book collections (and even more, I love recognizing those names).  Today’s collection had a LOT of names I recognized (but what more do you expect from a collection selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins?).

Every time I see a teacher who is also a writer, I perk up.  I feel an instant bond.  They get my struggle: the desire to work with kids and inspire them to learn and grow, as well as the desire to be creative.  Amy Ludwig VanDerwater is an inspiration to me in that regard.  She gets it.  Both sides of the coin.  This poem was my favorite in this book and it’s one of her’s.  Double bonus!