Poetry for the child in all of us: Buckland author’s new book wins first prize in children’s nonfiction at the International Book Awards

LAURA RODLEY

LAURA RODLEY —

—

By TINKY WEISBLAT

For the Recorder

Published: 09-13-2024 2:00 PM

I first met Laura Rodley of Buckland as a writing facilitator for seniors, whom she led to create a series of books titled “As You Write It.” Not surprisingly, Rodley herself is a writer and a poet.

Her newest book, “Ribbons and Moths” (Kelsay Books, 62 pages, $20), recently won first prize in children’s nonfiction at the International Book Awards.

The book features just under 40 poems and several color photographs. The imaginative, whimsical poems will appeal to adults as well as children.

I was particularly charmed by the many pieces that revolved around pets and other animals (burros, horses, llamas, butterflies, and more). In these poems, Rodley transforms herself doubly, channeling animals from a child’s point of view.

For example, in “Food from the Kitchen Table as Told by a Puppy,” the first-person narrator complains, “The dog food bowl is so boring and stable.” My own Cocoa (no longer a puppy but still obsessed with whatever people are eating) would endorse this sentiment. The child in me understands that canine attitude.

It was important to Laura Rodley to incorporate the names of many local agricultural events and businesses into her book. “It supports farmers,” she said of her work.

I asked the poet about the origins of “Ribbons and Moths” and about her writing process. She explained that she wrote several of the poems years ago.

“Some of them [pre-dated] having a phone in your pocket so it’s a different pace,” she laughed.

Your Daily Puzzles

Cross|Word

Flipart

Typeshift

SpellTower

Really Bad Chess

She expressed delight at having the book accepted by Kelsay Books, a Utah publisher that specializes in poetry. “They’re just a wonderful, wonderful to deal with,” she enthused. “They put out a lot of books, and they’re high quality.”

Rodley enjoys writing for children. “These poems are like morsels,” she remarked. “You’re sort of speaking to innocence.”

She explained that she generally writes stories on her own. For poetry, she likes to work with others. She takes part in two poetry-writing groups that generally don’t meet in person. Instead, they get together via the internet or the telephone.

One group just takes advantage of being together. “We call each other, and we say we’re going to work for however long,” she said. “That really works.” The other group generates prompts designed to pique the imagination and then works from the prompts.

A recent group of prompts, Rodley told me, included “miner’s lettuce,” “a train’s long whistle,” and “thunder at sunset.” For bonus points, the poets were encouraged to incorporate the title of one of their favorite songs into their poem.

One of the group, Paul Belz, generated a poem using the prompt “miner’s lettuce.” Rodley shared the poem with his permission because she enjoyed it so much.

Miners’ lettuce will restore us.

Earth’s gift of vitamin C will revive us.

Round leaves made from water will refresh us.

Berry sized white blossoms will wake us.

Color green will bring us home.

Wet stems’ scent will call us home.

Spring blossoms that thrive on ash will call us home.

Miners’ lettuce will restore us.

Of writing in general, Rodley told me, “Most of the process is just getting down and doing it … There’s always resistance. And then: Hooray!”

“Ribbons and Moths” is available at local bookstores and from online retailers including the publisher (kelsaybooks.com). The trailer for the book may be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/3xk8pn38.

Laura Rodley will read from her new book on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. as part of the Spiritual Arts and Wellness Faire in the sanctuary of All Soul’s Church in West Brattleboro, Vermont.

“First Grade” by Laura Rodley

Laura Rodley noted that her niece enjoyed reciting this poem when she was learning to read. It is reprinted with permission from “Ribbons and Moths” [copyright 2024, Kelsay Books].

Gracie’s got a wiggler,

a wiggly fat front tooth.

Cheyenne says she loves me,

I say that’s not the truth.

Meagan just hit me

so I kicked her back.

Teacher makes us sit down,

apologize, then we can come back.

Liam’s got a new dog.

Ben saw a squished frog.

Bridget’s moving to Shelburne.

Matthew’s got twenty sums to learn.

On Sunday Silas saw his grandpa.

Jason’s dad’s in trouble with the law.

Joseph’s sister got poison ivy.

Ian tried to tie me

up with his jump rope.

He made me bump into Hope.

I play catch with Alex and Noah.

Teacher says it’s time to go home,

time to catch the bus.

Shawn just pushed me,

bus driver yells, “Don’t fuss!”

Tinky Weisblat is an award-winning author and singer known as the Diva of Deliciousness. Visit her website, TinkyCooks.com.