I have been a fan of Marilyn Singer’s work for many years. Her first book of poetry, Turtle in July (Simon & Schuster, 1989) has been a staple in my classroom since I started teaching. Written in the voice of a variety of woodland animals, Singer’s poems and Jerry Pinkey’s realistic illustrations are an irresistible combination.
Over the years, I’ve collected many of Marilyn’s poetry and picture books. And, because I’m fortunate enough to live near her home in Connecticut, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn on several occasions at our local bookstore. She is always gracious, full of good cheer, and interested to know how I’m using her poems in the classroom.
Footprints on the Earth (Alfred A. Knopf, 2002) is a favorite of third graders. As they learn about rocks, continents, and land forms, these “poems about the earth” offer a different perspective on our world. Filled with a sense of wonder and lyrical, often playful language, children love to listen to and read these poems over and over again.
“Burrows”
Out in the country I walk across towns
I’ll never see:
mazy metropolises
under the earth
where rabbits hide from foxes
foxes hide from dogs
full-bellied snakes sleep snugly…
Read the rest of the poem here.
First graders (and my inner 6-year old) love the exuberance of the poems in A Stick Is An Excellent Thing (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012). Favorite childhood activities like jumping rope, swinging to the sky, and blowing bubbles are celebrated in this collection. LeUyen Pham’s realistic illustrations are the perfect pairing for these poems that capture the joy of being a kid outside on a summer day.
“A Stick Is An Excellent Thing”
A stick is an excellent thing.
If you find the perfect one,
it’s a scepter for a king.
A stick is an excellent thing.
It’s a magic wand. It’s yours to fling,
to strum a fence, to draw the sun.
A stick is an excellent thing.
If you find the perfect one.
I hope you have a perfect birthday, Marilyn! Thank you for “paying attention to the world around you” and sharing your words of discovery!
Be sure to visit Jama at Jama’s Alphabet Soup for the Poetry Friday Round Up.
Reading to the Core 
I loved A Stick is an Excellent Thing! Thanks for featuring such a wonderful poet!
LikeLike
Oh that “Burrows” is a fantastic poem! Mazy metropolises, indeed! Thank you for sharing these. Perfect for me today. xo
LikeLike
Marilyn, and you, would have loved seeing my 3 year old granddaughter recently, who found a stick and did so many things with it on our walk-ran it by a fence to make noise, used it like a baton directing music as she sang, hit rocks with it… I am not familiar with the earlier one, will look for it, Catherine! Thank you.
LikeLike
What a wonderful celebration of Marilyn’s work. I’m a big fan too :)!
LikeLike
Two wonderful poems, Catherine. I have quite a few of Marilyn’s books, they make such excellent mentor texts.
PS> Will you be at the TC Saturday reunion?
LikeLike
What a beautiful birthday card you’ve written here, Catherine! Love “Burrows”– those “mazy metropolises” and the “footprints on the roof.”
LikeLike
I own a copy of A Stick is An Excellent Thing! I should read it soon. Love Marilyn Singer’s poems! 🙂
LikeLike
[…] long been one of my favorite poets. You can read a previous post about Marilyn’s poetry here. This collection, filled with Jerry Pinkney’s stunning illustrations, is a must-have for any […]
LikeLike