Thursday, October 22, 2020

A Home Run for HOP TO IT (Giveaway!)

No one was sure it would happen this year, but here we are, two games into the 116th World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tamba Bay Rays, tied one game a piece. While I don't have an allegiance to either team, I do love the excitement of it all!
 
It's a great opportunity to share a baseball poem, don't you think? Not any ol' baseball poem, mind you—my baseball poem, published in HOP TO IT: Poems to Get You Moving by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong (Pomelo Books, 2020).

 
When it comes to children's poetry anthologies, one of the things Pomelo Books does best is meet the needs of educators and home schooling parents by giving them exactly what they need, exactly when they need it. HOP TO IT was originally intended as a book to get students out of their seats and moving because, let's be honest, we all have become way too sedentary. When the pandemic struck, the need for this book became even greater with the onset of remote learning. Who doesn't need occasional "brain breaks" after being stuck to a computer screen for too long? Poetry to the rescue! 
 
But COVID-19 introduced new real-world concerns, as well. Never ones to duck from a challenge, Sylvia and Janet decided to expand their anthology to include poems about life during a pandemic, wearing masks, virtual learning, staying connected with friends, and social justice issues like standing up for what you believe in. In true Vardell-Wong style, the fun, kid-friendly poems (all 100 of them) are matched with practical tips, connections across learning areas—science, social studies, language arts, etc—and supplemented with extensive back matter. For just-in-time learning or just-for-fun reading, HOP TO IT is a home run!

"Home Run at Yankee Stadium"

Which brings me back to baseball. :)
 
Are you wearing your favorite team jersey or cap? Snacks at the ready? You shouldn't need sunscreen since we'll be indoors, but here's some music from 1908 to help you get in the mood:


Now, maybe just a few arm stretches and knee bends to warm up. I wouldn't want anyone in this bookish poetry crowd to overdo it! Your role is the home team crowd.
 
Play ball!
 
Click on image to enlarge or read below.

 
 
ALL TIED, BASES LOADED
          by Michelle Heidenrich Barnes
 
The crowd is hyped. 
They do the wave.
Next batter up is looking brave.
 
But I'm brave too.
I stare him down
from here, atop my pitcher's mound.
 
He swings—a miss!
Strike one! Crowd cheers.
The roar is music to my ears.

Fast ball. He swings—
and hits a foul.
Clapping, stomping home fans howl!

Can I do this 
one more time?
He wants a hit—pride's on the line.

I throw a curve, 
then start to doubt.
He swings—
          (can't watch)

                    Strike three! YOU'RE OUT!

Nice job, y'all—I heard you howling from here! It was sure fun to write this poem with all the actions of the players and crowd. It's easy to imagine a whole classroom getting into the act. (Who doesn't like clapping, stomping, cheering, and doing the wave?) As it turns out, I will be reading my poem aloud this afternoon (Friday, 10/23) at a Pomelo Books Zoom Poetry Party and would LOVE some folks to take on the roles of the adoring home team fans. If you're available, please join us at 4 pm Eastern Time. Email me at TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com for the zoom link.
 
HOP TO IT: Poems to Get You Moving is available at QEP Books (currently at a discount), at Amazon.com, or . . .
 
 
WIN YOUR VERY OWN COPY RIGHT HERE! 
(Is that cheering I hear again?)
 
Janet and Sylvia have generously offered to send a copy of HOP TO IT to *FIVE* lucky Today's Little Ditty readers! (Domestic U.S. addresses only, please.) To enter, leave a comment on this blog post or send an email to the same address above with the subject "HOP TO IT giveaway." Comments and emails must be received by the end of the day on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. Winners will be selected randomly and announced on Friday, October 30th. Good luck!
 
 

 
 
Before I shuffle off to the locker room, since I haven't been around much, I'd like to take a moment to mention two other recent anthologies that I'm honored to have poems in. 
 
A World Full of Poems, also released this month, is a gorgeously illustrated introduction to children's poetry featuring a diverse selection of contemporary and historical poets. The poems, selected by Sylvia Vardell (busy lady!), are about everything from science, sports, and space, to friendship, family, and feelings. They are complemented by interesting, topical facts; prompts and activities that inspire children to create their own poetry; and introductions to poetic devices which are fun and accessible. Published by DK Children, A World Full of Poems is available for purchase at Amazon.com or an independent bookstore near you.




Behind the mask: haiku in the time of Covid-19, edited by Margaret Dornaus, is a collection of more than 250 pandemic-themed haiku from more than 140 internationally acclaimed haiku poets. Published last July by Singing Moon Press, at the present time it is only available for purchase at lulu.com.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jama Rattigan is known for her excellent batters—in the kitchen, that is, not on the baseball field. ;) Give a cheer for Jama and this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Jama's Alphabet Soup.
 
 

50 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your poems being included in all 3 anthologies, Michelle! Home Run! Your "Bases Loaded" poem sparked memories of watching many, many baseball games with my dad, both live(I was a Junior Angel!) and on TV. The play-by-play commentary of baseball was the background music of my relationship with my dad. Thank you for sharing your poem today and helping me remember my dad. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for sharing your memory with me, Bridget. I love knowing that this poem touched your heart in that way.

      Delete
  2. Hooray for "poetry to the rescue." I'm not much of a baseball fan. But, I also enjoy the excitement of fans for a sport they love this time of year. When I walk at night, the lights are on for local youth teams to batter-up. I love watching them be outside and exercising! Many congratulations on more of your poems making it into our world. That is always good news.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To be honest, I'm not much of a baseball fan either, Linda. But I am a fan of reaching kids with baseball poetry. :)

      Delete
  3. Baseball was a big part of my childhood and my father's sport in particular, so loved this! Congratulations on the poems in the anthologies.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have many memories of baseball watching, and played softball on my middle-school team, need to watch some of the games now that some politics is taken care of. Congrats on all three poems in anthologies, Michelle, but I do love the action & tension you show in your baseball poem. Sometimes I cannot even imagine the nerves pitchers must control when they play!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was interesting watching some YouTube videos about pitching. I had no idea what all was involved. No. Idea.

      Delete
  5. Your post is just what I needed today -- so fun and uplifting. I'm glad they're playing the World Series despite the pandemic. We need something to cheer about. Enjoyed the video -- I never knew that famous song had verses!

    And your poem is delightful -- so vivid and puts me right there in the stands. Esp. loved it since my nephew was a pitcher in high school and college.

    Finally, congrats on being included in 3 (count 'em) THREE, new anthologies. (No need to enter me in the giveaway as a copy is already on its way.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't know about the verses either! Fun, right? I think I needed to write this post as much as you needed to read it. Thanks for your kind words and sharing about your nephew. :)

      Delete
  6. Hi Michelle,
    Kids will love this....they will relate on multiple levels. Congratulations on having your poems in three new anthologies. I love A World Full of Poems and already have a second copy for a special holiday gift for guess who !!!! (Grandkids of course.) Not sure as a contributor to Hop To It! whether you want to include me in the giveaway. (I have purchased 13 copies already!) But if included I will gift the copy to a classroom teacher. I have quite a few in mind! I know they will love it. Your Helpers poem is lovely and I am so glad these are out in the world for others to enjoy. Glad to see you back today. Glad, too, that I have time to read and comment!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm also glad you were able to drop by, Janet! Your grandkids are going to LOVE A World Full of Poems—I'm guessing they are some of the most well-read grandchildren around! :)

      Delete
  7. Wow, what a wonderful post, Michelle! I love all the layers and details here-- even a video of my favorite baseball game song! Thank you for helping us spread the word about HOP TO IT and for your fun poem, "All Tied, Bases Loaded!" One extra thank you for mentioning A WORLD FULL OF POEMS too! You know how much I love your "Look for the Helpers" poem! You're awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, thank YOU, Sylvia. It's always such an honor being included in your projects and a joy sharing your books with others!

      Delete
  8. Love the energy and anticipation of this poem, Michelle. Another great addition to HOP TO IT!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice! I love "(can't watch)" - I can just imagine reading this with a class!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I would have loved taking fun poetry breaks like these when I was in school!

      Delete
  10. I can already picture my students reading and acting out this poem with enthusiasm and joy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please let me know your name so I can enter you in the drawing! Either reply to your comment, leave me a new comment, or email me at TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com.

      Delete
  11. Congrats, M.! All three anthologies look great.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great selection of books to be included in. love the word choice and feeling in All Tied, Bases Loaded! Congratulations! Happy to see you back on Fridays.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I enjoy reading and writing children's poetry. I enjoyed your small moment story poem featuring the pitcher and the crowd.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love your poem, Michelle! I know you say you're not a baseball expert but you can't tell from the poem. : )

    ReplyDelete
  15. HOP TO IT giveaway! - love this poem book! So excited for all the other poems inside.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please let me know your name so I can enter you in the drawing! Either reply to your comment, leave me a new comment, or email me at TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com.

      Delete
  16. Janet is joining WSRA for our 2020-2021 virtual conference. Her first session was AMAZING, and we're looking forward to learning from her again next week! Kiddos will be graced with her ebullience in January! Thanks for this great opportunity to have a copy of Hop to It! for my classroom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lucky you! Janet is amazing to watch in person. Ebullient is right. :)

      Delete
  17. Your poem for Hop to It is so much fun. I've been to enough baseball games to feel the anticipation of strike three! I am excited to be included with all these amazing poets. This anthology and the dynamic duo of Sylvia and Janet hit it out of the ball park!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sylvia and Janet are amazing. And so are you—it's an honor sharing pages with you, Margaret!

      Delete
  18. Loved your baseball poem! I could feel the excitement of the game!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Congratulations on having poems in both of these beautiful anthologies. They are wonderful books. Your baseball poem is sure to be a hit with readers! : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teachers and students are going to love your "Hands Say, "Great Job!," Linda. It's perfect for the classroom!

      Delete
  20. Michelle, this is a home run post that is timely since my family are Dodger fans from way back. Your poem is another home run. I can see children gravitating to it and engaging in an enjoyable read aloud. I am sure you will have children who want to be the pitcher/narrator and those who want to use your sound word. "The roar is music to my ears."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Carol. I think I would want to play the role of the umpire! :D

      Delete
  21. Love, the poem. Perfect for now. I am for Dodger blue. I don’t need to win a copy of Hop To It as I have several copies.
    Congrats on the several anthologies.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You poem is all kinds of fun!
    Congratulations on your publications!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary Lee. I'm delighted to share pages with you in A World Full of Poems!

      Delete
  23. Congrats Michelle on your "batting 1000" with all 3 anthologies, Whoo Hoo, and love your Terrific baseball poem!

    ReplyDelete