School Supplies: A Book of Poems collected by Lee Bennett Hopkins

I'm new to Poetry Friday, but feel that I already know many of you either from Slice of Life or Celebrate this week with Ruth Ayres.  I've lurked and commented occasionally, but now I'm committing to blog with my fellow poetry lovers. I may eventually branch out, but my plan for now is to share a favorite book of poetry each Friday.  It's sad when a favorite children's book goes out of print.  The discovery that School Supplies:  A Book of Poems collected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, is out of print sent me scrambling to the computer to request this book from the library.  It's a fun anthology to have in your classroom all year round, but especially as the school year begins.  Even though it hasn't come in at my library yet, I wanted to go ahead and feature this book now since school will begin soon or has already begun in many parts of the world.    

The poems in the anthology are written from the perspective of school supplies or objects such as a pen, notebook, globe, a school bus, a compass, and even a paper clip. While the recommended audience is ages 4-8, this book was loved and enjoyed by my third graders many years ago, but also more recently by my middle school sixth graders. Students may even be inspired to write a persona poem about one of their school supplies.  The poems are delightfully illustrated by Renee Flowers.  I hope your school or public library still has a copy.  Request it today and share it with your students!

Head over to Poetry Friday Roundup with Irene Latham to get your weekly dose of poetry.