Thursday, July 12, 2018

Celebrating Bayou Song

Happy Lucky Poetry Friday the 13th!

Many thanks to Sylvia Vardell for hosting this week's round-up at her blog, Poetry for Children



Today, I'm Snoopy-dancing over the publication of Bayou Song (Louisiana University Press 2018) by Margaret Simon.
Illustrations are by Anna Cantrell, photographs by Henry Cancienne. I'm in love with this book and I'm part of the growing momentum of praise for this gorgeous work.

Raise your hand if you know Margaret in any way. Oh, yeah, I SEE all those hands waving behind computer screens. 

Margaret is a tremendous friend of Poetry Friday. One of the biggest lessons I think I learn from her is the power of poetry friendship.

I asked Margaret some questions about Bayou Song recently, and I  hope you are as inspired to pick up a pen or drawing pencil as I have been after reading some of our conversation.


Linda: The word adventure pops up in your thoughts about writing this book. What is an early adventure in your life that you remember?

Linda: What does your reading history look like?

illustration by Anna Cantrell


Linda: Who do you hope to see reading Bayou Song?

illustration by Anna Cantrell


Linda:  What has early response to Bayou Song been?




Linda:  How does your work as a teacher influence Bayou Song?

illustration by Anna Cantrell

Linda: What have you learned from the process of creating this book?

illustration by Anna Cantrell


Linda: Do you creatively cross-train with other creative pursuits that support your writing/illustrating?




Linda: Give us a writing/drawing prompt from the book or a new prompt that will send us on a creative journey. 



I hope you'll paddle right out to purchase a copy of Bayou Song for yourself, a favorite teacher friend and a young reader...anyone that you would invite for a walk along the bayou.

Independent Book Store: Books Along the Teche or, at your familiar large online book (everything) store.



Upcoming reviews and information of Bayou Song are headed to our blogosphere. Have a peek at what these bloggers have to say:


Tuesday, July 17:
Laura Shovan 

Tuesday, July 24
Amanda Potts at Persistence and Pedagogy

Friday, July 27:
Carol Varsalona at Beyond LiteracyLink

Monday, July 30
Linda Baie at Teacher Dance


Friday, Aug. 3
Dani Burtsfield at Doing the Work That Matters



18 comments:

  1. Rich review of "Bayou Song," Linda! It's fun and so intriguing to see all the different perspectives that the interviewers are taking on this Blog Tour review of Margaret's book. I liked hearing about what Margaret liked reading and the back story on her name connected with Judy Blume's book "Are you there, God, It's Me, Margaret?" Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful interview. I too liked hearing about Margaret and Jeff - who didn't stand a chance. ;) Also, anaphora. I'd never heard of that!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yet another book I want for my collection! This is the danger of Poetry Friday :) Thanks for sharing - I loved learning more about Margaret and the book.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love learning more about "Bayou Song" with each stop along the tour! I also appreciate you and Margaret sending us off with a writing prompt. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Creative interview! This sounds like a lovely book. I will be on the look out for it at my library.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful review, Linda. The questions help us appreciate Margaret's wonderful book even more. It is a delight that I hope many teachers find for their classrooms.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Linda, I love the way you have formatted this post. It is an easy back and forth style that seems as though Margaret is right here talking with you. We are fortunate to have such a rich book of creative discovery and exploration of nature written by Margaret. It is a pleasure to read your review, Linda.
    PS: Thanks for finding my PF post today. Unfortunately, I have had considerable trouble trying to linkup to the Roundup.

    ReplyDelete
  8. So much love for the bayou, Linda... thank you! I love thinking of Margaret's book as a scrapbook. I also love thinking about all the poems children of all ages are creating as they read Margaret's poems and enjoy the illustrations and photos in the book. Lovely! xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Linda, this is a terrific interview! Can't wait to share this gorgeous book with students in the fall!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm enjoying the insights into Margaret's bayou and writing! Thanks for hosting this interview.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I always love a poet-to-poet interview! Thanks for celebrating Margaret and her new book! She read from it at the ALA Poetry Blast and I loved it right away!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the questions and answers. Very thoughtful and insightful. I can't wait to read this.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for sharing your questions and Margaret's answers. And yes, I am ready to pick up pen and paper and go exploring. I think Bayou Song will be the perfect souvenir to pick up on our vacation to New Orleans next week! I'll be looking and asking for it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I really enjoyed reading this interview - thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. So exciting to see "one of our own" make a splash in the world!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yes to adventures in your own backyard! Grab a pen, a notebook, and head out!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wonderful interview! I especially relate to Margaret's advice to finding adventure in your own backyard. Such a great way for adults and kids to look closely.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Whoo hoo--think of how well I know both of you now, and still I learned something about each of you as well as Bayou Song. I shall go and anaphorize straightaway...good *uestions, Linda!

    ReplyDelete

Friendly, positive comments and feedback are always welcome here. Please let me know I'm not just whistling in the dark!