I want to continue my tribute and share one of Lee Bennett Hopkin’s poems today.
I know I shared this picture book last year, but I didn’t share this particular poem. Lee wrote this one and I wrote to him about it. It’s genius!
You see, “Manger” is a collection of poems about the birth of Jesus as told from the point of view of all the animals around him. There is a certain expectation of barn animals and a few surrounding in the countryside. But Lee’s was a perspective I wasn’t expecting to find in the book and it was so simple. It made perfect sense to find a poem about fish talking about someone referred to as a “fisher of men.” And yet it had NEVER once occurred to me (or anyone else that I know of for that matter). It is simple and elegant and joyous all at the same time. This was also Lee. His laugh was contagious. His welcoming spirit was a joy to be around in any context. I share the poem with you here today in memory of him.
I loved it for so many reasons. I love fish and had saved this collection of poems to read in December. I had just designed my own fish Christmas card and felt a synchronicity with the poem. I will always love this poem.
And if you’re looking for more poetry fun this month, be sure to check out the Kidlitosphere Event Roundup!
The illustrations in this book are stunning, too!
I agree!
this is awesome!