Terrible Tongue-Twisting Trolls!

Today, Poetry on Parade discovers four terrible trolls lurking in the library shelves.  They are collecting tolls from gruff goats-- and sharing brilliant rhymes and bouncing rhythms with all who pass through the Lafayette LMC.

Terrible Troll's Tollbridge is written by New Jersey poet X.J. Kennedy and performed by Aidan, Tyler, Matt, and John:

Terrible Troll's Tollbridge

"Aw, enough is enough!"

Said the Billygoats Gruff,

     And their neighbor the Terrible Troll

Said, "You're welcome to pass

To the hill to crop grass

     If you'll pay me a reasonable toll."

Now they screech to a stop

At his toll bridge and drop

     Goatsmilk cheeses between the troll's choppers.

Old Troll charges a cheese

For a little goat, please--

    Two for mediums, three for big whoppers.

--X.J. Kennedy

Lafayette Originals

Sparkle

A sparkle a shimmer a glow from above,

In the shining snow I find a single glove.

Among the ceiling we look at the past,

You see a play you know the cast.

The rest of it we do not know,

The rest of it is unknown.

by Emma S.

Fifth-grade poet Nishika A. composed a Lafayette original celebrating A Change in Seasons.  Here, she and friend Emily B. perform the poem:

In honor of our upcoming visit from the Mayhem Poets, fifth-grader Tamer L. tried her hand at slam poetry:

Purple = Everyone
Red = Girls
Blue = Boys

We're Sick

Our stomachs are
TURNING
My head is
BURNING
My forehead's on
FIRE
Don't call me a
LIAR
DIZZY
TURNING
I think it's from
LEARNING
I think chairs are
TALKING
We're having trouble
WALKING
HELP
PLEASE
Let us
LEAVE!
Take us
AWAY
Beep!  School's out, TIME TO PLAY.

Being Me

I stare at the oceans and think to myself,

I wish I was the sea because it does everything itself.

I could move mountains and tsunamis too,

I could watch people swim in my ocean blue.

People would love me and my waves,

But only the ones who are brave

I could feel special at the most,

For the fish I'd be the host.

I think again,

Why would I be something or somebody who is not me.

by Olivia C.

Yum, Yum! Chocolate-Covered Poetry!

We’re celebrating National Poetry Month with poems that are great for reading and sharing, poems that invite us to look at the world in new and exciting ways. Here’s a sweet selection written by Brod Bagert, a poet who visited Lafayette School on Author's Day 2011:

Chocolate Maniac is performed by Mia, Layla, and Moira: 

Chocolate Maniac is from Giant Children, a humongous collection of humorous poetry.  In poems like Stinky Boys, Dinosaur Canary, and There’s a Goblin in My Throat, Brod Bagert examines the world from a kid's point of view.  Let's look for the book in the LMC at 811BAG!

A Rhyming Royal Romp with Shel Silverstein

Poetry is all about wonderful words, creative thought, and getting together to share poems that capture our imaginations and send our spirits soaring.  Take a look at You’ll Never Be King, written by Lafayette School favorite Shel Silverstein and performed by Poetry Paraders Ella, Emily, Katherine, Grace, and Katie:

After our visit to the castle...

Shel Silverstein takes us to an unusual auction. 

Sister for Sale is performed by

Taylor K., Tamer L., and Mikayla M., Julia L., and Gabriella C.



Next up, Hannah, Riley, and Claire sort things out with

Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me, Too:

Excuses, Excuses! Lily, with a little help from Shel Silverstein, explains why she won't be in school today:

Poetry on Parade found You’ll Never Be King in Every Thing On It: Poems and Drawings, a collection of never-before-published poetry by Shel Silverstein.  Collect your crowns and tiaras, round up your royal robes and magic sceptres, and check out more majestic poetry in the LMC at 811 SIL!

Dragons and Doodles, Rhythm and Rhyme!

In 1996, the Academy of American Poets declared April National Poetry Month—a thirty day opportunity each year for Poetry Paraders to celebrate poetry and its important place in our lives.  Let’s get the parade started with I Chased a Dragon through the Woods, written by Jack Prelutsky and performed by two poetic puppeteers, Thomas D. and Nick S. 

Next up: a happy birthday dragon poem by Shel Silverstein, celebrated by fourth graders Emma and Laura:

There’s more poetry fun to be found on the LMC shelves! Make your way to 811.54 PRE.  In It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles, Jack Prelutsky presents a parade of good-for-a-giggle poems: The Dancing Hippopotami, You Can’t Make Me Eat That, My Father’s Name is Sasquatch, and Dear Wumbledeedumble.