I have a circle story.
It begins with author/artist
Lisa Desimini who exquisitely illustrated
my children’s book about Betty Mae Tiger Jumper.
I try to buy every book Lisa
is part of creating,
even when a spooky topic that may inspire
nightmares
is between her jewel covers.
http://charlaineharris.com/lisa-desimini-prints-sale/
When Lisa’s book
FAMOUS came along in 2015
I bought it immediately & loved how she
interpreted Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem.
(Scroll to the 5th book at this site…)
https://readingpartners.org/blog/inspire-children-national-poetry-month/
Find Lisa/Naomi’s book distributed from Independent Publishers Group
https://www.ipgbook.com/famous-products-9781609404499.php?page_id=32&pid=WNP
Some of you know
that “Famous”
is one of Naomi’s most beloved pieces.
I think of “Famous” as Beatitudes for the Poet.
Last year I settled into my seat
at a singing workshop here in little
Tallahassee
organized by my
friend Velma Frye, a musician, poet and singer.
Imagine my surprise when
Velma’s friend, the event’s
guest musician songwriter artist Becky Reardon
just in from the west coast
sang
Lisa’s book FAMOUS/
Naomi Shihab Nye’s famous poem “Famous.”
I nearly levitated
at this surprise as I didn’t
know Becky had set it to music.
I tell you my eyes leaked.
Naomi’s “Famous” poem has
bloomed into an
evocative writing
prompt for creators all ages
celebrating the beauty
of everyday needed
things and actions.
Here are three of my responses to the poem, “Famous” by Naomi Shihab Nye.
“I want to be famous like…”/ NSN
an ant is famous to the ant hill
a bib is famous to the young parent feeding a young one
the pine cone is famous to the crackling fire
If you love “Famous” or want to know more about it, you may want to get yourself a copy of
the CD where Becky Reardon sings it, INSIDE THE OUTSIDE.
On You Tube I found it at #41 searching Becky Reardon’s Top Tunes.
I also pulled to a moody ‘Famous” rendition in film,
from Poetry Foundation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFuH4o2yxXw
And you may want to visit with Naomi Shihab Nye mentoring
us at Poets.org:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64WACNcLH3g
Many many appreciations to Mary Lee Hahn/ A Year of Reading
for gathering us together to celebrate Naomi Shihab Nye,
this country’s new
U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate. Lots of workshops & travel ahead for Naomi!
So wonderful for all ages of students of the World.
(because of a confluence of kerfluffles, my post is launched a bit ahead of our community party…)
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