Writing about summer activities is an important part of kissing summer goodbye and savoring summer moments. One of my favorite books to inspire those memories is Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems by Kristine O'Connell George and illustrated by Kate Kiesler.
In the title poem, students can decide if they are patient marshmallow roasters like the narrator waiting "...as my pillowed confection slowly reaches perfection," or the rapid fire roaster like her brother who roasts quick and "...eats quick."
"The Best Paths" can be enjoyed by anyone who has ever felt the lure of a path leading "...you to where you didn't know you wanted to go."
On our Colorado hikes to the waterfalls at Snow Mountain Ranch, my husband spun stories about the abandoned cabin. Our children loved being scared by these sad stories. We would stand in the doorway and imagine the life of the trapper who once lived in the "Abandoned Cabin" where "...There's more sky than cabin. The forest lives here now."
On our Colorado hikes to the waterfalls at Snow Mountain Ranch, my husband spun stories about the abandoned cabin. Our children loved being scared by these sad stories. We would stand in the doorway and imagine the life of the trapper who once lived in the "Abandoned Cabin" where "...There's more sky than cabin. The forest lives here now."
You can listen to Kristine O'Connell George reading "River Messages" on her website.
I can connect to almost every poem in the book, but I especially love the final poem, "Flannel" and the girl who tucks away her blue and plaid shirt camping shirt so no one "...will find it and wash away the memories."
Head over to Poetry Friday Roundup with Jone at Check It Out to get your weekly dose of poetry.
Another favorite book! I'm ready for a new collection of nature poems from Ms. George!
ReplyDeleteI'm a patient roaster, willing to wait for the perfection. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this!
Another book that I must have! Thanks for sharing this title. = )
ReplyDelete