Thanks, John. It's a tremendous responsibility to be the one to teach children they don't like poetry!

Very true! I do it daily.

Great news, Roger.
Coincidentally I had picked up a National Geographic just yesterday and marveled at how chock-full of information and insight it contains (as I do each time I come across one. They were staple reading material in my house growing up.) I hadn't realized they also publish a children's poetry anthology so I'm looking forward to reading that.

The comments here about how children tend to learn how to dislike rather than like poetry reminds me of the old adage, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink it" as it applies to teaching children the lessons that poetry can provide... There is so much more you can do than simply "lead them" to the water!
I prefer a teaching perspective I learned from an educator named Jim Greenman (I always give him credit when it's due - he was a brilliant man). He said, "The question is not, 'How smart is the child?' But instead it's, "'How is the child smart?'"
Whenever I'm frustrated with teaching I remember that important distinction and I'm back on track : )

Jim, the NG anthologies are edited by J Patrick Lewis, who was once a Distinguished Guest at the Sphere. The last one was a book of nature poems (here, where you can see mine if you look "inside the book"). The next one will be a book of poems about places throughout the USA. I wrote one about Teddy Roosevelt's stay in Medora, which is why I ended up on the page with Tim's characteristically excellent North Dakota poem. I also have another poem in the book about the garlic festival in Gilroy.

Roger, I visited the Garlic Festival in Gilroy also - back in those pre-poetry days of yesteryear - so all I got out of it was loads of wonderful garlic and a touch of heartburn. I'll have to look for your poem.

Hi Marly,
It's lovely to hear your good news too, and I hope this thread will form a bit of the legacy I'll [eventually] leave here! ;)

Congratulations, Bob. I became passionate about poetry when I was around seven years old.

My own good news:
This morning my younger daughter, Nina, had an ultrasound scan. She's been married for nearly three years, and one baby is expected; they were sweating it just a wee bit; twins are in the family but she and her husband had a preference for their first child to arrive on its own! :)

Jayne

Jayne, that's wonderful news; congratulations to you and your family!

My good news is that the children's section of a travel company specialising in Safari Africa has launched: https://yellowzebrasafaris.com/holiday-type/kids/

I provided all the written content here: introduction, 11 blogs (one by each of my safari characters), and word searches. The section contains a lot of pictures; these were supplied by a very talented artist called André, according to my instructions (for the most part).

All my writing was scrutinised by a team of children, which was fun. I'm excited about this latest addition to my portfolio :-)

Fliss

Finally I'm getting active in your wonderful community. I hope that's good news.

Well done, Fliss, and welcome Leo!

Jayne

Congratulations, Jayne, congratulations, Fliss, and congratulations, Leo!

Cheers,
John