Good Morning! Hungry?
Today we’re serving up a delicious five-course breakfast celebrating the most recent title in the totally faboo Poetry Friday Anthology series created by the incredibly brilliant and uncommonly good-looking poetry goddesses Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong.
The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations (Pomelo Books, 2015) is the perfect way to greet the new school year. Just think of all the glorious Fridays to come, each brimming with oodles of opportunities to read, write, share, and yes, even eat poems! The collection contains over 150 poems by 115 poets, a toothsome smorgasbord of holiday poems written in both English and Spanish grouped by calendar month.
What better way to celebrate special occasions like Easter, Rosh Hashanah/Tashlich, Earth Day, Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year, Flag Day, Juneteenth, and National Soup Month (!!!!) than with poems that come with fun Take 5! mini-lessons to help teachers, librarians, and parents share the poems in ways that will engage and delight, facilitate discussion, and encourage further reading?
In addition to poems for widely observed holidays like Christmas, Halloween and Mother’s Day, kids will also enjoy learning about many quirky, lesser-known events (National Dump the Pump Day, Halfway Day, Band-Aid Day, World Laughter Day). Diversity also flavors this poetic feast (Gay Pride Day, Ramadan, Obon, Dashain Festival, Diwali, Day of the Dead), and there are birthday/ baby poems for each month!
I love that each poem is paired with a relevant picture book recommendation and also linked to another poem in the anthology with a similar theme or subject. If you’re hungry for even more, check out the referenced poetry books. Sylvia and Janet have thought of everything! This rich, wholly accessible and versatile resource, which features a gold mine of contemporary children’s poets (Jane Yolen, Eileen Spinelli, Douglas Florian, Janet Wong, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Marilyn Singer, Michael J. Rosen), simply belongs in every home, preK-6 classroom, school and public library. 🙂
I daresay this anthology is my favorite in the series so far. Could it be because it contains an unusually delectable variety of food poems? 🙂 Can I help it if poems about pizza, bread, cookies, watermelon, picnics, farmers markets and pasta cheerfully call my name, chanting “READ ME, EAT ME, DRINK ME, LOVE ME”?
* * *
TIME TO EAT!
Today’s celebratory breakfast — a hearty, lip-smacking affair — comes to you compliments of five awesome poets (thanks, Matt, Allan, Susan, René and Ken!) who’ve generously given me permission to feature their poems from the anthology along with their favorite breakfast recipes. There’s nothing like a lovingly cooked poem or two to get your day (or school year) off to a good start. So put on your nattiest bibs, lick your chops, and enjoy. Three big cheers for all 115 Poetry Friday Poets, Sylvia and Janet!
LE MENU
“Picky Eater” by Matt Forrest Esenwine (National Cereal Day, March 7)
“Waffles, Waffles, Waffles” by Allan Wolf (National Waffle Day, August 24)
“World Egg Day” by Susan Blackaby (2nd Friday in October)
“When to Eat Pan Dulce . . . ” by René Saldaña, Jr. (World Bread Day, October 16)
“Cheering for Cocoa” by Ken Slesarik (National Cocoa Day, December 12)
* * *
MATT FORREST ESENWINE
The inspiration for the poem was quite simple, actually. I started thinking about some of my favorite cereals as a child, and soon realized two things: my childhood favorites are STILL my favorites (Lucky Charms, Fruit Loops, the Monster cereals), and many of them are round! (Granted, these aren’t the healthiest cereals around – but I do mix up my menu with Special K and Kashi GoLean Crisp these days!)
Interestingly, I read a recent study somewhere that indicated Americans’ favorite cereal is Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but the most popular-selling cereal is Cheerios…which is intriguing, because it shows what we like and what we perceive as healthy are two TOTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS.
PICKY EATER
I love my Fruit Loops,
love my Kix,
love Cheerios
and even Trix.
I also like
my Apple Jacks —
but please don’t give me
Sugar Smacks,
or stars or squares or flakes
you’ve found —
I only eat, you see,
what’s round.
~ Copyright © 2015 Matt Forrest Esenwine. All rights reserved.
*
EXIGENTE PARA COMER
basado en “Picky Eater”
por Matt Forrest Esenwine
Me encantan mis Fruit Loops,
me encantan mis Kix,
me encantan los Cheerios
y hasta los Trix.
Y también me gustan
mis Apple Jacks —
pero, por favor
no me des Sugar Smacks,
ni estrellitas, ni cuadritos
ni copitos encontrados —
solo como
lo redondo.
*
One of the reasons my wife, Jen, and I knew we were meant to be together was that we both love breakfast – eggs, pancakes, bacon, home fries – the whole 9 yards (which is tough for her, because she’s vegan!) So I think I’ll share 2 recipes, one for vegans and one for carnivores . . . they’re both absolutely delicious – although one is decidedly healthier than the other!
GORTON (aka CRETON, CROTON)
[ Pron.: Gaw-TOH(n) ]
While the true spelling is probably “cretons,” this traditional French-Canadian pork spread has a strong following in NH (we border Quebec, eh?) and this recipe comes directly from Jen’s Acadian ancestors. While any ground pork will do, I suggest finding the highest-quality, all-natural, locally-sourced, organic meat you can find – because it absolutely, truly makes a huge difference in the taste. Ironically, the smell of it cooking takes Jen back to her grandmother’s house…except that she can’t eat it now, since she’s vegan!
- 2 lbs. ground pork
- 2 cups water
- 1 medium onion, diced
- l tsp each allspice, cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. cloves
- 1 dash (or to taste) pepper
Place first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan and cook until lightly browned.
Mashing occasionally, cook approximately half an hour at a low simmer until meat is cooked through.
Add spices and cook an additional half hour, mashing occasionally, until water has evaporated.
Place in a standard loaf pan and refrigerate until set. Mixture can then be turned out and sliced or spread on toast.
*
*
VEGAN BANANA BREAD
- 2 c. all-purpose flour
- 3/4 c. white granulated sugar
- 1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 c. plain soy, almond, or cashew milk
- 1-1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 c. mashed bananas (about 4 large very ripe bananas)
- 1/4 c. canola oil or applesauce
- 2 T. maple syrup, corn syrup, or agave nectar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Optional stir-ins: 1 c. walnuts, chocolate chips, or chopped cherries
Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly oil & dust a 9” X 5” loaf pan.
In a medium-sized bowl, sift all the dry ingredients.
In a large, separate bowl, whisk the soy milk and vinegar and set aside for 2 minutes. Add the bananas, oil, syrup, and vanilla, whisking until well blended. Add the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
Fold in the optional stir-in and pour batter into the pan.
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool at least half an hour before serving.
* * *
ALLAN WOLF
I was given the task [of writing the waffle poem] by Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell, the editors of the Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. I wanted to do “Left Handers Day,” but they chose not to feature Left-Handers Day in the book. Too bad for my son who eats waffles with his left hand! My father would make us waffles and Spam when I was a kid.
WAFFLES, WAFFLES, WAFFLES!
From Birmingham to Baraboo
There is no better breakfast food.
Pass the maple syrup.
Give us waffles, waffles, waffles!
A waffle has a checkered face
To keep the butter in its place.
Pass the maple syrup.
Give us waffles, waffles, waffles!
Whenever we are in the mood
For pancakes with an attitude,
Pass the maple syrup.
Give us waffles, waffles, waffles!
~ Copyright © 2015 Allan Wolf. All rights reserved.
*
¡WAFLES, WAFLES, WAFLES!
basado en “Waffles, Waffles, Waffles!”
por Allan Wolf
De Birmingham a Baraboo,
no hay mejor desayuno.
Pongan la miel de maple.
¡Dennos wafles, wafles, wafles!
Un wafle tiene cara cuadriculada
para que la mantequilla se quede en su lugar.
Pongan la miel de maple.
¡Dennos wafles, wafles, wafles!
Siempre que tengamos ganas
de panqueques con actitud,
pongan la miel de maple.
¡Dennos wafles, wafles, wafles!
*
ALLAN’S OATMEAL
I am a big oatmeal fan. Steel cut oats, not the whimsy instant variety! The trick is to place the oatmeal in a mug (not a bowl) to retain the heat while you eat. Add a little banana, sliced almonds, crushed walnuts, a little maple syrup, and (secret weapon) a little ground cinnamon! It is to die for. Nutritious and yummy.
* * *
SUSAN BLACKABY
My earliest memories are of sitting in the breakfast nook eating Dadaddy Eggs (soft boiled with toast soldiers, which was my grandfather’s breakfast of choice—hence the name). So if you ask which came first, the chicken or the egg, in my case it would be the egg. And the bunny egg cup.
WORLD EGG DAY
Today is Egg Day! Have you tried them
scrambled, deviled, poached or fried?
Yummy eggs are on your plate,
but there are more! Let’s celebrate
eggs in nests and streams and hives,
eggs on farms and eggs in cities;
egg-shaped eggs of every size,
ginormous down to itty-bitty;
ostrich eggs, like bowling balls,
or whale shark eggs (they’re even bigger);
insect eggs that are so small
you need to use a magnifier;
and every egg that’s in between
in every shade — white, brown, blue, green —
smooth or speckled, dry or wet,
E!G!G!S! Eggs! You bet!
~ Copyright © 2015 Susan Blackaby. All rights reserved.
*
DÍA MUNDIAL DEL HUEVO
basado en “World Egg Day”
por Susan Blackaby
¡Hoy es el Día del Huevo! ¿Los probaste
revueltos, endiablados, escalfados o fritos?
Los deliciosos huevos están en tu plato,
¡pero aún hay más! Celebremos los huevos
en nidos y en corrientes y en colmenas,
los huevos en granjas y los huevos en ciudades;
los huevos con forma de huevo de cualquier tamaño,
desde gigantes hasta insignificantes
huevos de avestruz, como bolos de boliche,
o de tiburón ballena (todavía más grandes)
hasta los huevos de insectos, que son tan pequeños
que necesitas una lupa para verlos,
y todoes los huevos que hay entre ellos;
de todos los colores: blancos, azules, verdes, marrones,
lisos o manchados, secos o húmedos.
¡H U E V O S! Huevos! ¡Que no te queden dudas!
*
BAKED EGGS WITH VEGETABLES VARIOUS
(aka It’s almost 7—what’s for dinner?)
- Sliced vegetables — enough to fill a rimmed baking sheet
- Olive oil
- Herbs
- Salt and Pepper
- Eggs
- Cheese (optional)
1. Preheat the oven to 400°.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly oiled—I actually use a stoneware baking sheet, so if you have a seasoned pan that won’t stick, you can skip the paper part.
3. Toss vegetables in a drizzle of oil and spread out in an even layer on the baking sheet. (Note: You may want to add vegetables in stages if they cook at different rates. For example, I add tomatoes partway through. I guarantee you know more about this than I do, though, so use your best judgment.) Sprinkle with herbs of choice, salt, and pepper. Bake about 10 minutes—you want them to be getting soft, not getting mushy.
4. Take the baking sheet out of the oven, but leave the oven on. Scoot the vegetables around to make spaces for however many eggs you are using. Crack an egg into each space. Add the cheese if any.
5. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake until the egg whites are set—another 8–10 minutes. Jiggle the pan to test the yolks for doneness. (Some people like them runny, but wow, I’m so not one of them.) For firmer yolks, let them cook a little longer (even I know that) and/or let everything sit for 5 minutes before serving (which usually happens anyway because the salad isn’t tossed and the bread isn’t sliced and the table might not be set and suddenly everyone has wandered off)
6. Enjoy!
* * *
RENÉ SALDAÑA, JR.
Growing up, I didn’t eat pan dulce often. My family simply didn’t go to the panaderia, or Mexican bakery, except on special occasions. And I didn’t think much of it in terms of it being a cultural icon, either. In other words, I didn’t appreciate it as part of who I was, nor the part it played in my Mexican American history.
It wasn’t until much later, after returning to deep South Texas once I’d completed a bachelors and a masters out of state, that I began to take notice of the many facets that make up the whole person. In addition to the ethnicity or race of a person, there is also the person’s or family’s place of origin, the language spoken in the home; but beyond that, I discovered for myself that there is more and more and more: music, faith, personal interests. And, though it can get sort of sticky to define a culture by way of food, which is a superficial descriptor, it is also a part of the person’s make-up, or a culture’s: pan dulce being one of those.
WHEN TO EAT PAN DULCE . . .
On a cold Saturday morning
When Abuelita has brewed
A cup of hot chocolate
For me to warm my hands,
She places a plate on the table,
A tower of Mexican sweet breads:
Conchas, pan de polvo,
Churros and empanadas.
But my favorite
is the cochinito,
A gingerbread piggy.
I pull it from the top of the tower,
Bring it to my nose,
Smell its oinky wonderfulness . . .
That’s when I know
It’s time to eat pan dulce.
~ Copyright © 2015 René Saldaña, Jr. All rights reserved.
*
CUÁNDO SE COME PAN DULCE . . .
basado en “When to Eat Pan Dulce . . . ”
por René Saldaña, h.
Un frío sábado por la mañana,
después de prepararme
una taza de chocolate caliente
para calentar mis manos,
mi abuelita pone en la mesa una bandeja
con una torre de delicias dulces mexicanas:
conchas, pan de polvo,
churros y empanadas.
Pero mi preferido
es el cochinito,
un cerdito de pan de jengibre.
Lo tomo de la cima de la torre,
me lo acerco a la nariz,
huelo su exquisito aroma . . .
Entonces sé que ha llegado
la hora de comer pan dulce.
*
RECIPE FOR MIGAS CON HUEVO
This is a common dish for the common man; every culture has something similar: a recipe made up of what is available that then turns into a staple dish. Migas is made up of two ingredients primarily: scraps of corn tortilla and egg.
Start by heating some oil or butter in a frying pan. I opt for olive oil because I’ve convinced myself that olive oil is healthier than any other oil available. Though it’s not the case: oil is oil is oil. As the oil is heating up, I flavor the oil by sprinkling into it salt, pepper, and garlic powder, mixing it into the oil. Once the oil is hot enough, I throw in the trozitos or scraps of tortilla (of varying sizes, but usually no bigger than a square inch). Fry these until golden brown and crisp (not quite burned, but a good crispy tortilla makes the dish better for me, both in terms of taste and texture). I sprinkle more salt, pepper, and garlic powder on the trozitos at this stage (to taste). Then I crack a few eggs over the tortilla scraps and mix together until the eggs are done.
My wife likes to pour green chile salsa over the migas, and it makes a difference for the better. My mother likes to add tomato and onions into the mix and fry it all together. Some folks will even eat them at the contents of a taco, which to me is overkill: migas made up of corn tortillas rolled into a corn tortilla taco. But hey, to each his own.
* * *
KEN SLESARIK
This poem was written for a younger audience (think library hour) so I knew I wanted to use repetition and an element of excitement about cocoa. As usual when I write a poem the first draft looked nothing like the final product. After a few drafts and edits I exchanged email messages with Janet Wong until we achieved our goal. Janet suggested the “— my favorite treat” line and that slight pause before the words ironed out the meter and was a nice finishing touch.
CHEERING FOR COCOA
It’s cocoa, it’s cocoa, come on kids let’s go!
December 13th, it’s the cocoa bean show!
It’s cocoa, it’s cocoa, we love you, hello,
on almonds, in pudding, and sweet cookie dough.
It’s cocoa, it’s cocoa, so sip, drink or eat.
Hot cocoa in winter — my favorite treat!
It’s cocoa, it’s cocoa, I’m glad we could meet
and share yummy cocoa. It just can’t be beat!
~ Copyright © 2015 Ken Slesarik. All rights reserved.
*
HURRA POR EL CACAO
basado en “Cheering for Cocoa”
por Ken Slesarik
¡Cacao, cacao, vengan, chicos, vamos!
¡Es 13 de diciembre, es el show del cacao!
Cacao, cacao, hola, te amamos
con almendras, en pudines y galletas.
Cacao, cacao, lo puedes sorber, beber o comer.
Cacao caliente en invierno: ¡mi bebida preferida!
Cacao, cacao, que lindo es que nos pudimos reunir
y lo podamos compartir. ¡No hay nada igual!
*
Here is a favorite recipe containing cocoa. It’s from a book called THE EARTH DIET by Liana Werner-Gray and is simple, healthy and delicious!
CHOCOLATE-AVOCADO MOUSSE
(Total time 5 minutes | Serves 1)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 avocado
- 2 T cocoa powder
- 2 T raw honey or maple syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
ACTIONS
1. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth and creamy. (You can also mash the avocado with a fork in a bowl, then add the cocoa powder and honey [or maple syrup].)
2. Taste. Add more cocoa if you want it more chocolaty. Add more honey if you want it sweeter.
* * *
Wow! I’m stuffed! How about you?
Maybe a little after-breakfast entertainment is in order.
Allan Wolf has just the thing: PO-ggling (poetry and juggling)!
Sit back, digest the meal, and enjoy “The Dactyl Poem” (it’s quite a mouthful):
* * *
THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS: Holiday Poems for the Whole Year in English & Spanish
compiled by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong
published by Pomelo Books, 2015
Poetry Anthology for grades preK-6 (Teacher/Librarian and Student Editions available)
*Includes Poetry Resources and Skills and Standards Information
♥ Keep the fun going all year long by visiting Poetry Celebrations.com (sample poems, monthly highlights, activities, videos)! See the full list of contributors here (which includes about two dozen regular Poetry Friday participants).
♥ More information about the entire Poetry Friday Anthology Series at Pomelo Books!
*
🎉 SPECIAL GIVEAWAY! 🎉
To win a set of The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations (Teacher/Librarian Edition + Student Edition), simply leave a comment at this post telling us your favorite holiday no later than midnight (EDT) Wednesday, August 26, 2015. Extra entries for tweeting, blogging, Facebooking, etc. (mention in your comment). You may also enter by sending an email with “CELEBRATIONS” in the subject line to: readermail (at) jamakimrattigan (dot) com. U.S. residents only, please. Winner will be announced next Friday. Good Luck!
ETA: In case you already own this book — I encourage you to enter the giveaway anyway, as I would be happy to send the copies to any school library of your choice :).
* * *
The lovely and talented Catherine is hosting the Roundup at Reading to the Core. Take her some eggs, waffles, cocoa, round cereal and pan dulce, and check out the full menu of poetic goodness being served up in the blogosphere this week. Thanks for breakfasting with us!
———————————————
Copyright © 2015 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.
Jama's Alphabet Soup 
I would so love to win this for my niece! Looks awesome! (But I’d probably want to read it all before sending it on to her! LOL) My favorite holiday? Christmas because I love spending it with my husband and daughter!
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LOVE this anthology (the English/Spanish makes it extra special). It was fun learning about new-to-me holidays :).
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I am a very big supporter of creativity in education. Janet and Sylvia are truly amazing, and I would LOVE to see this as a part of our school curriculum at North Seattle French School!
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My favorite holiday is Christmas. The day after Thanksgiving I start decorating the entire house -inside and out. By Sunday night I am done. I love my Christmas House.
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Your Christmas House sounds wonderful :). Recently we’ve been leaving our Christmas tree up all year.
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I confess I didn’t know that Poetry Friday was a THING. I thought it was just something YOU did! Sounds like a really neat collection of poems. I really like the waffle poem, describing waffles as pancakes with attitude. 😀 The cereal poem cracked me up, too. I want to try the banana bread recipe, and the one for avocado chocolate pudding. But where is the recipe for churro waffles? Those look to die for!!
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Yes! Poetry Friday is a THING!! (has been for quite a few years).
This is a neat anthology — lotsa good poems with great resources for sharing them. The “churro waffles” recipe can be found by clicking on the photo — they’re actually french bread churro sticks — interesting idea. 🙂
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I just realized – I forgot to mention my favorite holiday! I’m sure it’s boring to say so, but it’s Christmas. Some years, it’s felt more like a drag than anything, but most of the time I do enjoy buying surprises for people, decorating the house and the tree, and some of the classic TV specials. 😀
(Although I’m not adverse to National Chocolate Day – 10/28 :-D)
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Oh my, what treats shared, Jama, in words and in food! I love the picture of that cocoa-yum! Don’t put me in the drawing, already have these anthologies, and they are wonderful!
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I’m looking forward to the cooler days of Fall so I can start sipping some cocoa. I love avocado, so may try Ken’s recipe. 🙂
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I did forget to mention we found avocado hummus here at the beach grocery. It’s very good!
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A tasty selection, Jama! Love those pancakes with attitude, the cocoa bean show, and that baked eggs with vegetables recipe — I’ll have to try it 🙂
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Yes, the baked eggs recipe sounds just the thing for a busy weeknight when you need a quick supper.
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I love the voices and recipes and pictures of good food you added to great poems: truly a celebration, as you make almost everything with your touch. I want to try the eggs and veggies — love when you can do a meal in one pan. But cereal with Janet’s and Sylvia’s names: I’ll have that first and last. Thank you! (and no need for the drawing, I’m happy to have an author’s copy)
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I’m all for one pan meals too — Susan is definitely on the same wave length as the rest of us. 🙂
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Oh gosh, loved this!!! And now I have to make Baked Eggs with Vegetables for dinner this week. MUST do this. I’m also craving many of the other super dishes (yay for recipes!) you shared.
My favorite holiday is probably Labor Day because it signals the start (via calendar, not the earth’s rotation) fall — my very favorite season.
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Fall’s my favorite season too — I told Susan that I love to roast vegetables, but never thought to add eggs to the mix. Such a great, easy idea. Looks like quite a few of us are going to make her dish. 🙂
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Such a fun post, Jama – thank you so much for including all of us and for promoting it!
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And thank you again for sending 2 recipes to share! Shall we call you Chef Matt from now on? 😀
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A marvelous way to start the day, although I just had toast. Favorite holiday? Christmas, but really the day after Christmas where we all chill, eat leftovers, and read a new hard-covered book we received as a gift.
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Ah yes, the day after Christmas — when you can truly relax with a new book!
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My stomach is growling now. What a fulsome post!
Love the dessert of Allan’s deftly dactylic dissertation, too.
I’ve got a bit of PFAC love on my blog today as well. Who WOULDN’T want to start their day with Janet and Sylvia?
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Yes, we’re in sync today — let’s face it, no better way to greet the new school year and return to blogging than with Sylvia and Janet’s brilliant compilation. I smile when I turn the pages and see my PF friends’ poems in there.
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I love the anthology, but did not think of it as a food celebration before–thank you and yum! (No need to include me in the drawing as I already have this deliciousness.)
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I’m kind of hardwired to sniff out the food poems in any anthology, but of course I thoroughly enjoyed the wide variety of topics as they relate to the various holidays.
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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I also love all the PB and poems for that time of year. Thanks for the delicious post.
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Great choice! It’s a wonderful family, food-centric holiday without the pressure of buying gifts. 🙂
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Well it’s a darn good thing I read this post AFTER eating breakfast… I think I’m up for brunch tomorrow, though! It’s good to have you back, Jama. (BTW, no need to include me in the drawing either.)
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Saturday AND Sunday brunch!! Yes, that’s the way to go, Michelle.
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These two ladies are the queens of poetry for kids! They’ve done so much to bring poetry to larger numbers of people. Sylvia and Janet are a marvelous team. I loved all these fun recipes, too. (No need to enter me in the drawing–or, if you do, please donate book to a school of your or their choice.)
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I wholly agree — they are THE queens of children’s poetry! The entire series is so well done, and I’m sure their books have encouraged and inspired lots of teachers who were previously reluctant to include poetry in their curriculums to do so. Great idea about donating the books to a school library. I’ll add a note to my post. Thanks, Mary!
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Poetry, food, recipes, and Jama! Love the Poetry Anthology series and all the goodness that goes into everything Sylvia and Janet plan and create. Can’t wait to try Matt’s recipe for the chocolate chip banana bread! I gave away my copy of the Celebrations books, so should I win your giveaway I will be quite happy.
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You’ll like the banana bread. As Matt suggests, you can add whatever goodies you choose. I just happened to have some chocolate chips laying around :).
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Great post, today, Jama! I have a poem in the anthology, but, alas, it’s not food related. However, I’ll tell you my favorite breakfast. It MUST be eaten at a diner: 2 eggs over easy, with bacon, and a biscuit toasted on the griddle. And, here’s something for Matt: I went to Kittery yesterday, and at the Trading Post I bought a bib for my grandson that has “Picky Eater” as its caption. It has a bear on it, too. I’ll send you and Jama a photo.
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I love the sound of your favorite breakfast (though I’d go for scrambled eggs instead of over easy — something about runny yolks that makes me crazy. I’m like Frances the Badger that way). Biscuits toasted on a griddle — oh yes! In Hawaii, there are wonderful butter rolls toasted on a griddle at Liliha Bakery. Quite famous. With a slathering of guava jelly . . .
Love the Picky Eater bib. Bears are the best!
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What a fantastic post, Jama! And a brilliant addition to the PF series from Janet and Sylvia. Bravo to all!
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Thanks, Linda. BRAVO to Janet and Sylvia and then some. Aren’t they amazing?
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Jama, thanks for featuring this great roundup of poems, food, holidays, and the Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations! All of my favorite things in 1 post!
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And thank you for breakfasting with us, Jane! More potato chips? 🙂
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I love that something which the kidlitosphere started “just because” turned into this THING, this huge, glorious, THING, now with anthologies – five of ’em!
We are AMAZING! Also, hungry…
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Yes, when you think about it, it is truly amazing!! Janet and Sylvia make such a great team — they’ve got all the bases covered every time.
These books are extra special for those bloggers who were there when PF first began . . .
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Oh my gosh, such great recipes and poems! Love them! I especially have a certain weakness for things made with cereal….
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Mmmm, cereal . . . I love cookies with cereal in them especially.
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The Poetry Friday Anthologies are genius. I think this is my favorite one, too. I have a poem in it for National Button Day. It’s my first published poem. I’m not good about submitting my poems but after seeing the other PF anthologies I had to give it a go. I taught school for 26 years and met so many teachers who were scared of teaching poetry because they felt lacking in skills to teach it correctly. All they need are PF anthologies! These books are an amazing tool!
Thanks for sharing the poems and the recipes. The Churro Waffle Sticks caused me to pause and check out the recipe! Yum! Yum!
Although I own copies of the Celebrations anthology, I’ll be happy to pass them on to one of my teacher friends should M. Generator pick me.
Thanks for the feast!
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Hi Penny! You are absolutely right. All teachers need are these anthologies — such invaluable tools/resources for the classroom. S & J make it look easy with their Take 5 suggestions.
Didn’t realize the button poem was your first published poem. That’s SO exciting!! In fact, I was going to email you to ask whether I could feature it here in November :).
Yay for you! I’ll put in a good word with M. Generator . . .
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Oh my goodness, your blog posts are absolutely delicious and it is a huge treat to be the focus of this week’s feature! Thanks for all your work in pulling this together. The poems, recipes, and photos are an absolute delight!
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You and Janet are simply the best, Sylvia. Thank you for all you’ve done for children’s poetry!
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I think I have all of the PF Anthologies but this one. The poems you shared today are appetizing to say the least. I’m an Alan Wolf fan and happy to see his video here, too. He’s such an entertainer! I’m coming back for dessert. Just too full for it right now.
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I do think this one is my favorite — of course, who knows what Janet and Sylvia will come up with next? 🙂
Was nice of Allan to send along the link to this video with his recipe. You’ll enjoy it!
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Christmas is my favorite holiday, but I also love all the obscure days that celebrate food, people, things (like flip flops)
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There are lots of fun and interesting obscure holidays. I’m all for celebrating the small or often overlooked things too.
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I love the fact that Rene’s BRILLIANT “oinky wonderfulness” can actually be applied to any delicious pig-out session, including but not limited to potato chips for breakfast (which would totally be my first choice). I’m getting that phrase into the family lexicon posthaste! My favorite holiday is May Day–flowers and the proletariat and, if you’re lucky, a pet parade.
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And in Hawaii May Day is Lei Day!! Definitely a great choice. And thanks again for sharing your recipe and allowing me to share your poem, Susan. Thanks to you, lots of us will be pigging out on your Vegetables and Eggs dish very soon :).
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Speaking of a round cereal that is the biggest seller in the USA….Did you know that Cheerios are now gluten free?! Yes! One more food I can eat again. They just took the wheat starch out – such a simple fix. Now I don’t have to wash my hands after serving my grandchildren.
What a wonderful selection from the collection of confection (plus the eggs…)!
My favorite holiday…Thanksgiving.
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I didn’t know that about Cheerios. I always wondered why they put wheat starch in it when it’s supposed to be all about OATS! Thanks for mentioning this, Donna.
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This is one of the reasons I’m excited about the start of the school year! A poem a day never got easier!
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Hooray!
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Jama: you are The Queen Mother of blogging! Thank you so much for yet another five-star post. And thank you, everyone, for all your delicious comments!!!
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I bow to you and Sylvia, Janet — poetry goddesses! 🙂
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I think I gained a few pounds just reading your post, Jama! What a delightful celebration of the PF Celebrations book! Thank you for all you do for children’s poetry. (I, too, don’t need to be included in the giveaway.)
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Glad you enjoyed the breakfast celebration, Bridget! Happy to see your poem in the anthology :).
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Another amazing, lip-smacking post! I’m fascinated by those rainbow waffles. (Don’t bother entering me in the post, as it’s pricey send something to Canada.)
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I imagine those waffles would wake you right up in the morning. 🙂
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I was hungry when I started reading this post. Now I am STARVING!!! My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. This book is one I would love to own, but if I win I will donate it to my granddaughter’s school and then buy one for myself.
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Yay, great idea, Rosi :)! Good Luck with the giveaway.
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What an awesome awesome giveaway – the samplers that you provided are enough to whet anyone’s poetic appetite, Jama – you are simply the most exquisite, really. Sad to say, we have zero zilch nada of these Poetry Friday anthologies here in Singapore – not in the libraries or even in Kinokuniya our biggest book distributor. Very sad about this. Possibly through Book Depository, but even that I doubt.
My favourite holiday is .. CHRISTMAS! Santa Claus! Christmas cookies! Ghirardelli Peppermint hot chocolate! 😉 Since the contest is only open to US residents, Fats will be more than happy to receive the book in my behalf – IF and when I do get it. Hehehe. 😉 Missed you much, dear Jama!
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Dear Myra: Are you able to order ebooks from Amazon in Singapore? The Poetry Friday Anthology ebooks have sold in Japan and Australia; would be wonderful if you could access them in Singapore too. Please let us know! To get the paperbacks, the best bet would be to use Amazon when visiting a country that offers them. People have bought them via Amazon in Germany, Italy, England, and the US. And if you know a small Singaporean distributor with a US office, please put them in touch with us! (QEPBooks.com is a small Texas-based distributor that we love to support.) Thanks, Janet
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I forgot to mention my favorite holiday. It’s Christmas. Probably because I grew up in Colorado and my Christmases were white just like the perfect Christmases depicted in movies, on cards, and in picture books. Also, I have a large collection of Santa Clauses and it’s so fun putting them out every year. So festive.
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What a heap of awesome recipes, thanks for sharing, Jama! The poetry book looks great (and Allan’s juggling gets a point, too.) I’ll choose Thanksgiving for my favorite holiday with Christmas a close second.
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I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Our tradition is to host an “Early Thanksgiving” feast at our house on the Saturday before Thanksgiving for everyone in our extended family (about 25-30 people). This frees up everyone to spend the actual Thanksgiving holiday as they choose (i.e. with in-laws, or in our case with a simmering pot of turkey soup in a quiet cabin in Central Oregon). Yum! I’ve just shared on FB and will tweet momentarily!
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Sounds like a nice idea, Dawn — sometimes Thanksgiving can feel too hectic — this way you can enjoy the food, the company, and also enjoy a relaxing Thursday.
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Yay! Food! Giveaway! I’m hungry! 😉 I like National Hat Day, in January the best (I collect hats). 🙂
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I love hats too! Why am I not surprised that you’re hungry? 🙂
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The Poetry Friday Anthology provides support for educators and parents who might be unfamiliar with today’s poetry for young people and might need guidance in how to begin. Infuse poem-sharing throughout the day and throughout the curriculum.
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