Poetry (Dress) Giveaway

Well, I have discovered that once I retired I have become obsessed with downsizing my life and belongings. Maybe it's because I'm traveling all the time (Antarctica! The Galapagos! Japan! Kansas City!) or because I'm more focused on grandkids or maybe it's because the current political climate feels apocalyptic! Whatever the reason, I'm ready to part with my poetry wardrobe. Although I still read poetry, buy books, follow poet careers and promote poets and poetry book whenever I can, I'm seldom at conferences now and thus not wearing my crazy Ms. Frizzle poetry skirts and dresses that I made for myself over the years. So, if you would like one of these items, I would love to mail it to you (free of charge). Just let me know!

Here are the details: they are nothing fancy and all worn (except one--the unfinished gray dress). They're homemade from a simple jersey knit fabric and lined. Each piece has a different phrase on it (repeated over and over). Each is a different color. I've identified each one with its color and phrase-- and even a photo of when I wore it. (Photos even include my dear friend and collaborator Janet Wong and several other sweet poet friends!) Each of these is more-or-less a size 10-12 or M/L. It's very stretchy fabric, so these can go a bit bigger and definitely made smaller. There are no buttons or zippers, they just go on over your head. VERY simple and homemade (by me). They are also machine washable. [The skirts are short-- above the knee with an elastic waistband.] If you have any questions, just let me know and I can provide further info. 

All I ask is that you send me a photo of yourself (or someone) wearing it-- or if you want to turn the fabric into something else-- a photo of that! I did take one of my poetry dresses and turn it into a fun throw pillow. (It's the dress with the word "poetry" in many different languages.) So you are welcome to take the dress and make something else out of it. (Skirt? tote bag, drawstring bag, puppy blanket, baby quilt, etc.) In case you're wondering, I'm still keeping my "Think Poetry" shirt and my crazy poem-filled tights! I still wear those even now. 

If no one is interested, no problem. Goodwill, here they come. 

Cover Reveal: A Poem for Dudley Randall:

I am honored to participate in the COVER REVEAL for Don Tate's new picture book, A Poem for Dudley Randall, Poet and Publisher of the Black Arts Movement (Abrams, 2026). What an important. compelling story about a real person who made a big difference and what a dynamic, inviting cover! 

A Poem for Dudley Randall: Poet and Publisher of the Black Arts Movement

ISBN: 978-1-4197-5435-7; Publication date: September 15, 2026; Abrams

Here's the publisher link for the book too.

Description: 

The only picture book biography of Dudley Randall—a poet, publisher, and leader of the Black Arts movement of the 1960s from award-winning author Don Tate and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honoree and New York Times bestselling illustrator Laura Freeman. 

Dudley Randall’s first published poem appeared in the Detroit Free Press when he was only 13 years old. He continued to write, and as he grew older, he realized that his voice could be powerful. 

When calls for equal rights were growing louder during the civil rights movement, Randall wrote the “Ballad of Birmingham” in response to an incident of senseless violence against a Black community in Alabama—and suddenly, the world was paying attention to his words. 

But Randall knew that most publishing companies were ignoring Black writers. In 1965, he founded the groundbreaking Broadside Press to give a platform to Black creatives like Audre Lorde, Gwendolyn Brooks, Nikki Giovanni, and Sonia Sanchez, as well as his own work. Randall and his fellow writers used their literary voices to express pride in Black history and culture. 

Integrated throughout the story as well as the back matter, Randall’s most famous poems help bring the story alive. Back matter also includes more information about the famous figures and historical movements discussed in the narrative. 

Here's what Don has to say about being a poet and writing this biographical picture book about poet and publisher Dudley Randall:

As a child, I didn’t understand poetry and saw poets as highbrow, artsy-fartsy types who spoke in florid language and convoluted metaphors. Their symbolic and ambiguous language flew clean over my literal-minded brain. As a kid, I found poetry frustrating. Poems seemed mysterious, hard to understand, and weird. 

Thankfully, I understand poetry better now, and I love it. Today, I primarily make my living as a poet. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wake up each morning to write sonnets. And I can’t recall ever writing a haiku. “Onomatopoeia” and “alliteration” are fairly new terms to me—and please don’t ask me to define them. Given all that, you may wonder how I can consider myself a poet. The reason is that I am a full-time writer and illustrator of picture books for children.

When I first wrote A POEM FOR DUDLEY RANDALL, I used straightforward prose. As usual, I struggled with sentence structure and paragraph formation. I fretted over how to make my words sound poetic. Those first drafts were pallid, to say the least. Then I wrote the story as a poem—and it came alive!

Picture books marry evocative words and images. They tell big stories in a compact space. They distill emotions and experiences to their core. Poetry is the heart of a picture book. Dudley Randall often described poetry as an efficient, concentrated form of language, one in which he could say in a few lines what might take pages of prose. I finally understood these concepts while researching and writing Randall’s biography.

Unlike me, Randall discovered the power of poetry as a child. He wrote his first poem at age 3 and published one at age 13. He studied influential poets and poetic forms, marking up his poems with scansion. Randall became a poet and a publisher of other poets' work during the Black Arts and Civil Rights Movements, making their work more accessible. I look forward to introducing the story of Dudley Randall to children who may not consider themselves poets today but will after reading A POEM FOR DUDLEY RANDALL: POET AND PUBLISHER OF THE BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT (Abrams, Sept. 15, 2026).

About the author:

Don Tate is an award-winning author and illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children. His accolades include two Ezra Jack Keats Awards and an honor, the Carter G. Woodson Book Award, two Christopher Awards, a Lee & Low New Voices Honor, and a Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List selection, among many others. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Tate currently resides in Austin, Texas, with his wife and son. Laura Freeman is a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honoree. Her work has been recognized with an NAACP Image Award, reached The New York Times bestseller list, and has been honored by the Society of Illustrators, and the Georgia Center for the Book. She has illustrated more than 30 children’s books, and her editorial images are frequently seen in The New York Times and other periodicals. Originally from New York City, Freeman now lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Congratulations, Don and Laura! 

Sneak Peek list of Poetry for Young People 2026

It's time to share my "sneak peek" list of anticipated poetry books for young people set to be published this year. MY LAST LIST! After 20 years of maintaining this blog, I'm bringing it to a close--mostly. I may post here and there, but I would LOVE for someone else to pick up the mantle and post a "sneak peek" list next year and in the future. I'm happy to share the tips I've found helpful. Just let me know! 

Meanwhile, here's the list I've gathered so far-- including poetry books and novels in verse--for children and young adults. I'm sure I've missed some, so please let me know of any titles to add. (I'm not including rhyming or poetic picture books). Once again, I'm so happy to see so many goodies heading our way-- by many new names, too. Woohoo!

Sneak Peek list of Poetry for Young People 2026

1. Adjoa, Delali. 2026. The Free Verse Society. Peachtree Teen. 
2. Alexander, Kwame. 2026. The Mighty Macy. Ill. by Kitt Thomas. Little, Brown. 
3. Arango, Andrea Beatriz. 2026. No Place on Earth. Random House. 
4. Barnes, Derrick. 2026. Do It for the People. Ill. by Gordon C. James. Versify.
5. Barrow, Rebecca. 2026. Doe. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books. 
6. Bennett, Joshua. 2026. The World Is Full of Beautiful Quiet Things. Ill. by Minako Tomigahara. Little, Brown. 
7. Biddle, Kimberly A. Gordon. 2026. As You Are: A Hope for Black Sons. Ill. by David Wilkerson. Magination Press. 
8. Bigna, Sandy. 2026. Little Bones. Simon & Schuster. 
9. Bulion, Leslie. 2026. Nature’s Remarkable Partners: Wild Poems for Two Voices. Ill. by Robert Meganck. Margaret Quinlin Books. 
10. Caprara, Rebecca. 2026. Eva to the Max. Dial. 
11. Chapman, Ty and Tison, Ari. Eds. 2026. Witness: Poems to Address the Past, Present, and Future of Policing. Ill. Damon Davis. by Lerner/Zest. 
12. Classey, Paige. 2026. Anna-June and the Last Summer. Random House. 
13. Cole, Olivia A. 2026. Blood Lick. Labyrinth Road. 
14. Cronin, Mary E, 2026. Trucks, Boots, and Bells: Firehouse Poems. Ill. by Aaron Marin. Holiday House. 
15. Elliott, David. 2026. At the Edge: Curious Creatures of Planet Earth (Paws, Fins, Feathers, Claws). Ill. by Clover Robin. Candlewick.
16. Engle, Margarita. 2026. Evamar. Atheneum.
17. Engle, Margarita. 2026. Wifredo's Jungle. Abrams.
18. Fischer, Max. 2026. The Unpoetic Life of August Grey. Scholastic.
19. Florian, Douglas. 2026. Thank You, Sun.  Beach Lane Books. 
20. Fogliano, Julie. 2026. Because of a Shoe. Ill. by Marla Frazee. Knopf.
21. Fraillon, Zana. 2026. Song of a Thousand Seas. Simon & Schuster. 
22. Freeman, Megan E. 2026. The Secret of Belonging. Atheneum. 
23. Ghigna, Charles. 2026. The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Book of Poems. Ill. by Eric Carle. Random House.
24. Goodwin, Idris. 2026. Don’t Drop the Mic. Ill. by Kaylani Juanita. HarperCollins.
25. Heard, Georgia. Ed. 2026. Words I Might Have Eaten. Ill. by Paige Keiser. Astra/Calkins Creek. 
26. Henderson, Judith. 2026. Counting Poems. Reycraft Books.
27. Holt, K.A. 2026. Javier and the Cone of Uncertainty. Chronicle.
28. Hughes, Langston. 2026. Melodies of the Weary Blues: Classic Poems Illustrated for Young People. HarperCollins. 
29. Iqbal, Shagufta K. 2026. Everything in Between. 
30. Jett, Brianna. 2026. Under a Carnivore Sky. Page Street. 
31. Ko, Christine. 2026. Love Language. Sorra Books. 
32. Kuyatt, Meg Eden. 2026. Perfect Enough. Scholastic. 
33. Lamb, Simon. 2026. A Passing on of Shells. Ill. by Chris Riddell. Scallywag Press.
34. Latham, Irene and Waters, Charles. 2026. For the Win: Poems About Pivotal Moments in the Lives of Phenomenal Athletes. Lerner/Carolrhoda. 
35. Latham, Irene. 2026. Come In! Come In! Ill. by Amy Hevron. Astra/Wordsong.
36. LaTulippe, Renée. 2026. Limelight: Curtain Up on Poetry Comics! Ill. by Chuck Gonzales. Charlesbridge.
37. MacCulloch, Jone Rush. 2026. Tilt: Like Climbing a Tree. River Oak Press. 
38. Malee, Alison. 2026. All I Can Tell You. Ill. by Chantal Horeis. Paw Prints.
39. Manley, Curtis. 2026. Chasing Eruptions: How Volcanologists Maurice and Katia Krafft Helped Save 60,000 Lives—But Lost Their Own. Ill. by Katherine Roy. Clarion. 
40. Martin, Erica. 2026. Onward We Marched. Ill. by Alleanna Harris. Penguin/Flamingo. 
41. Metcalf, Lindsay H. 2026. Footeprint: Eunice Newton Foote at the Dawn of Climate Science and Women's Rights. Charlesbridge.
42. Metcalf, Lindsay H., Dawson, Keila V., and Bradley, Jeanette. Eds. 2026. No Brain the Same: Neurodivergent Young Activists Shaping Our Future. Charlesbridge.
43. McCullough, Joy. 2026. Kestrel Takes Flight. Atheneum. 
44. Mole, Simon. 2026. Poetry Pizza. Ill by. Tom McLaughlin.
45. Moses, Brian. 2026. I am Ray’s Imaginary Friend. Ill. by Bethan Welby. 
46. Murray, Yvette R. 2026. Celebrate We Gullah Geechee. Ill. by Tonya Engel. Free Spirit. 
47. Newman, Lesléa. 2026. Song of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Ill. by Vesper Stamper. Enchanted Lion. 
48. Oliver, Mary. 2026. Goldfinches. Ill. by Melissa Sweet. Viking. 
49. Park, Linda Sue. 2026. Just One Gift. Ill. by Robert Sae-Heng. HarperCollins/Clarion.
50. Patel, Khushboo. 2026. All That Chandni Knows. Putnam. 
51. Paul, Miranda. 2026. House of Joy: A Celebration of Lucille Clifton, Author and Poet. Ill. by Jerry Jordan. Henry Holt. 
52. Peña-Govea, René. 2026. Estela, Undrowning. HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books. 
53. Piercey, Rachel. 2026. Wisdom of the Woods. Ill. by Freya Hartas. Magic Cat.
54. Randall, Julian. 2026. Shook. Henry Holt. 
55. Safadi, Shifa Saltagi. 2026. Sisters Alone. Putnam. 
56. Salas, Laura Purdie. 2026. Meet the Mighty Helpers. Ill. by Julia Patton. Astra Young Readers. 
57. Salazar, Aida. 2026. Stream. Scholastic. 
58. Saltzberg, Barney. 2026. You Can Count on a Cat: And Other Poems About Cats. Holiday House/Neal Porter Books. 
59. Santaeulàlia, J.N. 2026. Time for Haiku. Ill. by Lucian Lozano. Trans. by Lawrence Schimel. Red Comet Press. 
60. Seigal, Joshua. 2026. I Tell Myself I’m Awesome. Ill. by Chris Piascik. Bloomsbury.
61. Singer, Marilyn. 2026. Whose Tree Is This?: Poems About the Mighty Oak and Its Companions. Ill. by Julian Plum. Millbrook Press.
62. Sterer, Gideon. 2026. What Is the Wind? Ill. by Guojing. Clarion.
63. Taylor, Susan Johnston. 2026. If Pets Wrote Poems: A Parody Collection. Ill. by Sandie Sonke. Gnome Road Press. 
64. Toalson, R. L. 2026. Love, Sivvy. Little, Brown. 
65. Wagamese, Richard. 2026. Canada. Ill. by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Tundra/Swift Water Books.
66. Wenjen, Mia. 2026. Barbed Wire Between Us. Ill. by Violeta Encarnación. Red Comet Press.

Now head on over to BookSeedStudio where Jan is hosting our Poetry Friday gathering!