Greetings, Poetry Lovers! Thanks to Heidi Bee Roemer today, we have something for the youngest young readers, older young readers, young adults and the young at heart.
Hot off the press this week from Highlights Press is Heidi's latest book, SILLY PUPPIES - Baby's First Giggles, a delightful rhyming board book sure to be a hit with little dog lovers, like my own two baby grands. I can't wait to share it with them! It's a fun, bed-time themed romp through puppy mischief. Photos are from Getty Images and the charming line art is by Jana Curll.
Goodnight, Sun.
Hello, Moon.
Is it bedtime?
Pretty soon!
But first, there's a bath to be had, a bedtime snack to be munched, and some (oops!) chewing to be done. Then, of course - a bedtime story and song. I am quite sure this little book will be met with a chorus of "Again!"s by our own wee ones. Click here for more info.
You can learn more about Heidi and her books for kids (and other published writing - did you know she's sold nearly 500 poems?!) here at her website.
But, wait - there's more!
Heidi is also the founder of Steam Powered Poetry for students and teachers! She and her creative, accomplished team offer all kinds of poetry video and activity options in the realms of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. And, their offerings are tailored to grade levels: early education (& "wee steamers"!), primary, middle grade, and intermediate. The mission statement begins, "Across the curriculum, 'S.T.E.A.M. Powered Poetry Videos for Pk-8' promotes poetry in the classroom using multiple methods and strategies."
Steam Powered Poetry's annual poetry video contest runs from October through April. Know any creative junior high, high school, college, or grad students who are video-savvy? Here's how they can participate; registration for this year opened a couple of weeks ago.
Students may enter individually, or teachers can register their classes. Then participants can download the Poetry Packet with 40 STEAM poems. Each video creator then chooses a poem and makes a one-minute video for grade school students. Entries are due by Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The 40 poems are by "e-STEAM-ed poets," and I'm thrilled to be one of those myself this year. (Heidi Mordhorst is in the mix this year, too - Hi, Heidi!)
You can learn more about the contest here - Share the link! :0)
The infographic above, made by Heidi, features my poem in the packet.
Collage Camouflage
by Robyn Hood Black
Inks and paints hide on the shelf.
Blank paper lies in wait.
I think I will surprise myself.
Hey, Fingers – let's create!
I play around with clippings,
designing as I go.
I drizzle inky drippings
and let wild colors flow.
Orange pops right next to blue;
a focal point takes shape.
My hands sport every sticky hue,
arranging washi tape.
I stencil, stamp, stroke, and streak
with paintbrush, pen, and brayer –
a playful game of hide-and-seek
pressed into every layer.
©Robyn Hood Black, but freely available, of course, to STEAM Powered Poetry folks!
As many of you have also discovered over the years, mixed media art is a rabbit hole of wonderfulness from which one might never escape. Don't bother sending down a rope; I'm pretty happy down here with fingertips constantly inked. In fact, I've been immersed in gel plate printing this month, especially in a two-week online frenzy of workshops with lifetime access to the videos - The Gel Printers Summit put on by artist Drew Steinbrecher. (You can actually still "sign up" for access to this year's videos through Oct. 19, or maybe make a note on your calendar for next October.) I even found a Poetry Friday friend in the private Facebook group, Tricia Stohr-Hunt - Hi, Tricia! :0)
Speaking of Poetry Friday friends, whether brand new or old-timers, be sure to enjoy all the wonderful posts rounded up here this week by the lovely Sarah Grace Tuttle.
Thanks for coming by. I'll be away on the road next week but back via Halloween broom on the 31st! Mwah ha ha....