Well, these past two weeks have been quite the whirlwind!
Since my newest book, A Beginner's Guide to Being Human (Beaming Books, 2022), was officially published back on Oct. 18, I've been doing my best trying to keep up with all the well-wishers, reviewers, and influencers who have been sharing the news. Thank you so much, everyone!
In my last few posts I've shared links to many of the reviews that bloggers and others have published, but today I wanted to share a couple of new ones that just came out this past week - including an amazing review from The KidLit Mama herself, Elizabeth, who says she loves the real-world examples we include as well as my "Pro-Tips" for being a better human!
(and by the way, many thanks to Elizabeth for also giving my previous picture book, I Am Today (POW! Kids Books, 2022) some love by including it in an Instagram reel she just posted yesterday!)
I'd also like to thank Mrs. BookDragon for her kind words about Beginner's Guide this past week, as well as the Reading Eagle, who called it an "exceptional book...worthy of repeated readings," and JustaBXMom who want the book to be normalized as a go-to baby shower gift!
One of the ways I celebrated the book's birthday was with a special blog post and GIVEAWAY - and I want to congratulate our winner,
FEDERICO EREBIA!
Thank you so much for sharing the news about Beginner's Guide, my friend, and I hope you enjoy the copy that's headed your way!
Now, then - the poetry! I was thinking about what I should share today, and I realized Halloween is only a few days from now. What happened to summer?? But indeed, it is almost upon us... .
Imminent
When clouds hang heavy in the sky like serpent tails lit by the moon… when bats and brooms begin to fly, Halloween will be here soon.
When shadows cloak a curious trail and night wind croons a mournful tune… when specters prowl and spirits wail, Halloween will be here soon!
Speaking of the holiday, while I never thought of my book Flashlight Night (Astra Young Readers, 2017) as a "Halloween" book, per se, apparently a lot of other folks do! Over the last few years numerous bloggers and reviewers have been sharing their Halloween picks and I'm simultaneously surprised and humbled to see my book showing up on lists that include titles by folks like Neil Gaiman, Dr. Seuss, Aaron Reynolds, Charles Ghigna, and Patricia Toht, among others.
So, if you're looking for some Halloween/outdoors/camping/autumn-themed books for your little ones, here are a few suggestions:
Thank you to everyone who has been reading my books, reading about my books, and sharing the news about my books - I couldn't do what I do without you! For more poetry, plese head over to my friend Jone Rush MacCulloch's little home on the web for today's complete Poetry Friday roundup and a celebration of a new book she contributed to, The Poeming Pigeon!
Thrilled to be a Firstt Round panelist for the Poetry Category!
I'm also booking author visits for the 2022-23 school year!
Click the graphic for more details!
I love chatting with elementary and middle school classes about writing: why poetry is fun to read and write, the importance of revision, and how one's imagination and creativity can lead to a fantastic career!
I tailor my presentations to fit the needs of the classroom. One day I might be sharing details of how a picture book like Flashlight Night (Astra Young Readers, 2017) was created; the next, I'll be discussing dinosaurs, tree ferns, or origami sea turtles!
Student presentations include:
The Making of a Picture Book
How a Child Saved a Book
"Once Upon Another Time"
The Most Imporant Thing about Writing Poetry
"I Am Today"
Adult presentations include:
The Making of a Picture Book
Poetry: An Introductionto the Most Important Genre
The Most Important Thing about Writing Poetry
Free Yourself with Free Verse
Tight Language, Loose Narratives: Crafting a Non-Traditional Picture Book
If you or someone you know might be interested in having me visit your school, library,or other organization, please email me at matt(at)mattforrest(dot)com!
Create an account to add books to wishlists and be notified of special deals and dates…create custom collections…and discover and follow your favorite authors & illustrators!
I continue adding to my "Wit & Wordplay" videos ! These videos were created for parents and educators (along with their kids) to learn how to write poetry, appreciate it, and have fun with it. From alliteration and iambs to free verse and spine poetry, I'm pretty sure there's something in these videos you'll find surprising! You can view them all on my YouTube channel, and if you have young kids looking for something to keep busy with, I also have several downloadable activity sheets at my website.
Ordering personalized signed copies online? Oh, yes, you can!
You can purchase personally-signed copies of Flashlight Night, (Astra Young Readers, 2017), Don't Ask a Dinosaur (Pow! Kids Books, 2018), and nearly EVERY book or anthology I've been part of!
Just click the cover of whichever book you want and send a comment to the good folks at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner, NH requesting my signature and to whom I should make it out. (alternatively, you can log onto my website and do the same thing) They'll contact me, I'll stop by and sign it, and then they'll ship it! (Plus, you'll be supporting your local bookseller – and won't that make you feel good?)
Did you like this post? Find something interesting elsewhere in this blog? I really won't mind at all if you feel compelled to share it with your friends and followers!
To keep abreast of all my posts, please consider subscribing via the links up there on the right! (I usually only post once or twice a week – usually Tues. and Fri. – so you won't be inundated with emails every day) . Also feel free to visit my voiceover website HERE, and you can also follow me via Twitter , Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and SoundCloud!
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