Today, the KidLitosphere is celebrating poet and anthologist extraordinaire Lee Bennett Hopkins‘s 80th birthday. Although I’ve never met Lee, he has been a guiding light to me for years. Pass the Poetry, Please was one of the first professional books I purchased when I began teaching, and the poetry section of my classroom library is filled with anthologies Lee has edited over the years. More recently, Lee’s wise words have helped me write and polish my own poetry.
It was impossible for me to choose one favorite Hopkins book or poem to share today, so I created a found poem using the titles of some of Lee’s books.
To Lee Bennett Hopkins, on his birthday:
Pass the Poetry, Please!
Good Rhymes! Good Times!
Days to Celebrate:
Hanukkah Lights,
Christmas Presents,
Halloween Howls,
Morning, Noon, and Nighttime, Too!
Wonderful Words:
Alphathoughts,
Hand in Hand
Jumping Off the Library Shelves
I Am the Book
Blast Off!
The Sky is Full of Song,
Full Moon and Star
Sky Magic
Sharing the Seasons
On the Farm
A Dog’s Life,
A Pet For Me
My America
Home to Me
Amazing Places
City I Love
World Make Way
Time to Shout:
Happy Birthday!
Please be sure to visit Robyn Hood Black at Life of the Deckle Edge for a special Poetry Friday Roundup of birthday wishes for Lee Bennett Hopkins!
Reading to the Core 
Love your “spine poem,” Catherine. Clever idea… How could anyone pick a favorite one of Hopkins’ books?
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I used book titles to make a poem too. Interesting to see how we poetry friends think alike. I wrote mine this morning! I like seeing how you began your poem the way I ended mine. Here’s my favorite stanza from your poem:
“Wonderful Words:
Alphathoughts,
Hand in Hand
Jumping Off the Library Shelves”
Great poem, Catherine!
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And I too used Lee’s titles to create my poem for him, but I don’t think he’ll mind this over-the-top celebration. The titles seem to enjoy being together!
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What a clever tribute to Lee! It’s so impressive to see all those titles together.
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Catherine, your book title poem is well-organized with a great flow. Reading Matters! Thanks for sharing the video too.
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Very clever, Catherine. A great way to bring in so many of Lee’s books. A favorite video. Renee does a wonderful job with her videos.
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Fun and oh-so-clever, Catherine. That one could create a good poem from his titles speaks to the breadth and depth of his work.
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Well this is clever–would love to see it as a giant-stack spine poem!
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How very ingenious you are, Catherine! A wonderful tribute to Lee and his vast body of work. I bet he never tires of hearing about how Pass the Poetry, Please has inspired countless teachers like yourself.
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THANK YOU so much for this. I am honored.
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Rich postings here Catherine! I love your found book poem–so many wonderful titles in there. The “Good Rhymes Good Times” reading by Lee was a treat–I loved his expressions while reciting it, thanks for all here!
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What better way to celebrate Lee than with books! Great idea for a poem, Catherine – nicely done!
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What a lovely way to celebrate a poet and friend to poetry and poets and teachers and children!
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Wonderful!
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What a fun way to celebrate LBH books!
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Love your tribute in titles, Catherine. I am sure Lee does, too. A lovely gift on this special occasion!
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That is an epic book-spine poem, Catherine! Beautifully done and I’m glad he liked it. ❤
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[…] are treasures. Although I never met him in person, Lee has had an enormous influence on both my teaching and my writing and his work will continue to inspire students and poets for years to […]
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