Happy Halloween from Jolly Goblin!

Fall Writing Frenzy

Photo by Benjamin Suter on Pexels.com

Counting Geese 

by Megan Ray Durkin 

 

Can you count the wild geese, 

landing in the field? 

 

One flies at the very front, 

air breaks at its shield. 

 

Two come whooshing past you. 

Hold onto your hat! 

 

Three skim low across the pond, 

skidding with a splash. 

 

Four fly over the orchard, 

catching scents of spice. 

 

Five sail in a perfect V, 

settling on the ice. 

 

Six toot to the others, 

remembering landings past. 

 

Seven beaks hide under wings, 

nestled in the grass. 

 

Eight go up to honk the route, 

as a pale moon starts to rise. 

 

Nine will wait for stragglers. 

No goose left behind. 

 

Ten salute your waving hand, 

filling half the sky. 

 

Will you see the geese again? 

Count them as they fly.

Cooking in the Children's House--Fall Harvest Vegetable Soup

You can use any vegetables available in a variety of combinations to suit your taste buds. If the growing season has been lucky, ours come straight from the school garden. Served with Herb Bread this makes a great meal at the first Visit School Night! "Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird, I would fly about the earth seeking autumns." —George Eliot

Favorite parent comment: "First I had Anna's piece of carrot and then I had just a random piece of carrot..."

What a summer!

I am a grateful and humble 2023 PB Rising Stars mentee. This program helped me in so many ways—from the nurturing of the founders and my mentor, to the well designed and helpful webinars filled with fantastic panelists. Oh my, and the fun vibes? Powerful enough to float a ship full of hopeful mentees up to the stars. My mentor was the glove to my shaky hand. Her wisdom and experience bedazzled that glove as she guided me with a thoughtful critique style, attention to detail, and speedy communication. With a mind blowing grasp of my words, she brought me into a realm of understanding what and how I was writing that literally carried me into a part of something bigger. It carries me still.

PB Rising Stars!

Surprise! A thrill and an honor to have been selected as a 2023 mentee for three months with...Maria Marianayagam! She is an accomplished author with two picture books coming out soon--I Am a Force and Curry Means More. I literally need someone to pull me down from the clouds so I can get to work with Maria next week. Float!

No Ordinary Day - SpringFlingKidLitContest

 

Today was no ordinary day.

Starting at the meeting rock, we trudged uphill to find a dry spot.

We shared and we listened.

My stump wobbled, but Lucy held it as I pulled on my boots.

Through the mud we slurped and oozed.

The storm last night left new paths.

One went to the meadow where rabbits nibble.

One to the oaks where squirrels scurry and chase.

Lucy and I chose the downward slope,

slipping as we reached the marsh.

She whispered and held my hand.  

We listened for peepers calling in the hush.

Then it happened as we stared through the reeds.

A doe and fawn tiptoed in for a spring drink.

The blackbirds trilled and a cloud blocked the sun.

The gathering bell rang, and the deer sprang away.

We giggled as we marched back, eager to tell our springtime story.

Today was no ordinary day.

What to do With Halloween

In Montessori we "follow the child" in pretty much all situations. What about in celebrating the fall holiday of Halloween? I'm guessing if a group of early childhood teachers took polls in their classrooms, there may be interesting results. Would they differ from the beliefs of adults surrounding the trappings of this holiday? Never one to run away from the spookiness of controversy, I took a recent twitter poll about whether or not to celebrate Halloween (results to come).

In the past, I have written here about "alternative" holiday celebration practices typical of an inclusive Montessori classroom. As teachers with individualized learning as a goal, we operate in consideration of our class make up, cultural climate, sensitivity to the child, resistance to commercialism. Do we ever just ask the children we spend October with what they want?

Hmmm. 

PB Critique Fest

 

The Picture Book Critique Fest is a great opportunity for kidlit creators. Check it out at  Pbspotlight  

Write reviews and help fellow authors promote their work--easy peasy.

Rosie the Nibbler

#springflingkidlit

 

Rosie the Nibbler

By Megan Ray Durkin         

                                                                                           

 Rosie the Nibbler’s the pet for me.

She gives away snuggles and kisses for free.

Rosie the Nibbler hops this a ‘way and that,

But always returns to my lap for a pat.

 

You won’t hear her moo; you won’t hear her crow.

A thump of her foot is how she will show.

A bunny just wants to hop this a ‘way and that.

And then she’ll return to your lap for a pat.

 

Rabbits are pets that do not need much.

A full water bottle and hay in a hutch.

Time in the grass to hop this a ‘way and that.

And plenty of space in your lap for a pat.

 

If you want a pet that’s soft as a cloud,

Come over tomorrow and see what I found.

Cuz’ all Rosie’s babies hop this a ‘way and that.

I’m certain there’s one that will fit in your lap.