A Book for Bear by Ellen Ramsey, and a Poetry Gift

Welcome to Poetry Friday!

What is Poetry Friday? Find out Here.

This week we are hosted by Linda Baie, book aficionado and poet. Thank you for hosting, Linda! Be sure to check out her post for today at her blog, Teacher Dance, http://teacherdance.org.

First, I want to recommend a new picture book.

I hope everyone will have a chance to read A BOOK FOR BEAR, written by Ellen Ramsey ( http://ellenramsey.com) and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley (http://mackenziehaley.com). Though Ellen is also a poet, this book is written in prose.

The book begins with the sentence, “Bear loved books.”

Bear, who has been listening to a girl named Ellen read stories out loud in the forest, has fallen in love with books. He loves books so much one day he says, “I want a book of my very own.”

For Bear to acquire a book of his own, will not be easy.

Together the bear and Ellen search and search for a book for Bear. They look in the obvious places, such as the library and in stores, where bears aren’t all that welcome. Still, they work hard at it, but he fails to find a book to call his very own.

Does Bear finally succeed?

Ellen’s storytelling and the colorful illustrations will keep you turning pages to discover what happens.

As a book lover, I could relate well to Ellen and Bear and loved these ardent characters. And I know there are many kids who will, too.

The back book cover.

This week, it just so happens to have just received a poetry swap gift from Linda Baie. Besides a lovely journal, a packet of words to prompt future poems, and a book of poems, she sent me an sweet and imaginative poem she wrote that she nestled in a scene she created with paper, cut-outs and a bit of cotton for clouds. 

FOR WEAVING TOMORROWS
by Linda Baie

Remember gentle thoughts, when rising--
     more comes with brainy exercising.
Your pen will sweep a nimbus cloud
     over the waiting Gulf Stream sky.

Clouds will become the sky mail
     sent from way up high.
Use them for your air-tales,
     words parading by. 

  Now add a solar-powered smile.

Writing takes me places. I know that a pen can “sweep nimbus clouds” and become “sky mail” even if only for myself.

I read Linda’s poem as a reminder of what I have been missing this summer, that is, time with my pen poised, head in the clouds, thinking about words.

I’ll end with a haiku inspired by weather today here in Central New York. 

Summer rain today
not too little not too much--
a fairy tale storm. 

© Janice Scully 2023

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Thank you, Linda, for hosting!

17 thoughts on “A Book for Bear by Ellen Ramsey, and a Poetry Gift”

  1. I love the idea behind A BOOK FOR BEAR, and it’s one I’ve not yet read, but now will. Thank you for this recommendation, Janice.
    And I enjoyed your haiku, particularly that last line!
    Linda’s poem is also very clever and so packed with imagery. That last line is great too! Last lines are always a challenge for me, so I pay particular attention to everyone else’s, hoping the innovation and creativity will rub off on me…

    1. Lou, you are innovative and creative. I too find the last lines challenging but the first lines are important, too, because they have to be welcoming so the reader finally gets to the last line.

  2. Ah, Janice, I love that Linda’s sweet poem inspired you to get your “head in the clouds, thinking about words.” Yay for poetry swaps! Her collage and poem are lovely.

    Some favorite phrases are
    “brainy exercising”
    “will sweep a nimbus cloud” and especially
    “Gulf Stream sky”

  3. Hi Janice, thank you for your kind words for my gift. The swapping is always a huge pleasure, giving and receiving! I plan to share yours soon! I love the idea of “a fairy-tale storm”, hoping we have that happen today. It’s in the prediction! And, I bought Ellen’s book and love it, sweetest tale! Have a lovely weekend!

  5. Yay for a just-right rain and Linda’s solar-powered smile! Bear +book looks like a great combo. Thank you, Janice! xo

  8. Ooooooh. I do love a good poetry swap. So much fun. And, look! A new poem. I know that you will get right back into writing with this lovely inspiration of clouds as sky mail. I can’t wait to see what flows from your cloud pen.

  9. Janice: Thanks for this book suggestion and poetry. Lucky you to receive Linda’s gift, and respond with your head in the clouds poem. I have been missing that pen in hand time also, but no doubt it will find me again. Best to you for these last days of summer.

  10. Janice, thank you for the new book and sharing Linda’s beautiful and imaginative poem swap. I love the word choices she uses: sweep a nimbus cloud, air-tales, solared-power smile, and sky mail. Your ending line on your weather haiku is just right for a children’s book.

  12. Missed you, Janice. I love the new book offering, Linda’s poem which made me smile and your perfect rain day haiku.

  13. I have Ellen’s book and it is delightful! Thanks for sharing your poem swap gifts and your “fairy tale storm.”

Comments are closed.