☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: I start out the day with a mug of organic fermented Pu-erh tea, which makes me feel like Popeye drinking his spinach: strong and healthy! Then I switch to my husband’s delicious coffee, which he makes before he leaves the house. It keeps me alert through my writing session.
☕ HOT OFF THE PRESS: My most recent book is Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold, illustrated by Rick Allen (HMH, 2014). Forthcoming: Before Morning, illustrated by Beth Krommes (HMH, October 2016).
☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOK: My favorite food related book is Jam: A True Story, by Margaret Mahy. I discovered it when my kids were small, and still love it. Very funny. It’s about canning!
☕ Visit Joyce Sidman’s Official Website.
☕☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Check out this marvelous interview by Mackin Educational Resources. Joyce talks about her books and shares some of her beautiful nature photography.
☕☕☕ CAN’T GET ENOUGH: Enjoy this video of Joyce reading “The Ants,” which is from her book Ubiquitous.
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☕☕☕☕ STILL THIRSTY: You must watch this excellent video, “Winter Bees: Beyond the Book,” in which Joyce, illustrator Rick Allen, and editor Ann Rider discuss the process behind the creation of this beautiful multiple award-winning picture book. Love the winter walk with Joyce’s dog Watson, watching Joyce create a winter poem with a group of children, and seeing how Rick makes his wood engravings (masterful work!). And there’s cookies and cocoa. . . :).
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Copyright © 2016 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.
Jama's Alphabet Soup 
Love this — my nieces and nephews would have loved her poems, including the buggy one. 🙂
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Her books are uncommonly beautiful and there’s always so many interesting things to learn.
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Good morning, Jama! I love Winter Bees, and am looking forward to Before Morning. Joyce’s books always seem to be the perfect pairing of text and art–they’re gorgeous!
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Yes, I agree — gorgeous and then some. Can’t wait for her new book!
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Because I discovered Rick Allan’s greeting cards before WINTER BEES, I kind of squealed when I saw the book. LOUDLY. Okay, it was a shriek. Two of my favorite things, poetry and great artwork, together in one place! SO, thank you for the link.
Also, wouldn’t you know a hotTEA like Ms. Joyce would have such a classy mug?? I’m going to look up that Popeye tea… sounds like something we should all have a shot of!
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I need some of that special tea too :). Rick’s work is AMAZING. Really liked seeing him in the video.
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Joyce Sidman is one of my all-time favorite poets. I have “How to Find a Poem” pinned to my bulletin board :). She’s definitely a Hot-TEA. And that cover is just stunning! Cannot wait to read Before Morning! Thanks, Jama!!
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She’s one of mine too! Good to know you love her work as much as I do. 🙂
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Yep – Another Fan Club member here! Thanks, Jama, and thank you, Joyce, for taking a tea/coffee break here. Can’t wait for BEFORE MORNING!
I love Winter Bees, and any Joyce Sidman/Rick Allen combination. I’ve bookmarked the video and can’t wait to watch it in its entirety.
Yay to MN Public TV for making such a feature!
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The video is excellent and I’m sure you’ll like it, Robyn. Yay for Joyce and Rick!
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I love Joyce’s work! Add me to the fan club 🙂
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Yay! Her books are consistently excellent and such a joy. 🙂
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