This week, we're looking at the use of alliteration in poetry, from nursery rhymes to medieval epics! shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/12/28/a...

Of course, it's the wrong season for this poem. We're deep in the winter. It's almost impossible to be further away from summer than we are right now. But Mary Oliver's words are still ringing through my head. So, I thought I'd share them.

The holidays are a time for family, and that includes the animals we share our lives with. This week's post on the poetry blog is all about dogs, cats, and other animal friends during the holiday season. #poetrycommunity #kidlit #poetry shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/12/21/c...

The Inquisitor's Tale by @adamgidwitz.bsky.social is one of the most moving, thoughtful, & beautiful books I've read in a long time. Inspired by the Canterbury Tales & brimming with medieval lore & history, it blends adventure, humor, & heart with a plot that offers parallels to our own time.

I'm currently reading (and loving) "The Inquisitor's Tale: Or Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog" by the incredible @adamgidwitz.bsky.social It made me go out and find the actual story of Saint Guinefort. But now I'm curious, are there other examples of venerated pets from the era?

From the Funny Files: "A Fish in a Spaceship" from the book "My Hippo Has the Hiccups" poetry4kids.com/poems/a-fish... #childrenspoetry #funnypoetry #poetry4kids

What an awesome list! We're lucky to have so many amazing writers and artists creating so many books that get kids excited about reading.

Sharing a cozy poem by Issue 2 contributor Jessica Edmonds (Genesis Pearl) - Comfort, in the Quiet Hours won the cozy contest at Four Tulips: www.fourtulips.com/archives/com...

Yes, she looks like a cat, but Zoe is actually part parrot...

Some more really great holiday poems have been posted over at Children's Poetry Summit. Check them out for a little bit of cheer! childrenspoetrysummit.com/2025/12/18/c...

Little Thoughts Press is a gift to the world of kidlit and art for kids. They had an amazing 2025, and I can't wait to see what 2026 brings!

Outside of the world of kidlit and poetry, I also write about things like pop culture, Disney, and video games. You can check out my books below!

Want more #poems? Of course you do! Issue 2 Spotlight continued: “The Basketball Pass” by @mikeflowers.bsky.social celebrates trust between teammates epistemiclit.com/nimblewitlit...

Hot take: Poetry readings and performances are far too serious. Let's find a way to make them more like karaoke performances.

Super grateful to have three new poems featured on the December flight of Dirigible Balloon! You can check them at (along with all of the other brilliant poems on the page) by checking out the link below: dirigibleballoon.org #poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit

Today's the day! Join us in celebrating community & collective action with Issue 12: Better Together! Inspiring & uplifting, Better Together celebrates the power of working together. Get it now in print or as a free/pay-what-you-want PDF! www.littlethoughtspress.com/issues

here's a poem I wrote inspired by the Italian tale "The Little Girl Sold with the Pears" You can read a lovely version of the story in Italo Calvino's book Italian Folktales #poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit

Sometimes (more often than not, really) the news can be overwhelming. When that happens, I find comfort in stories. Fairy tales and the like are far from escapism. They remind us that the darkness and the monsters aren't the end of the story.

Issue 2: Trustworthy is now live! This issue is superb — full of fiction, poetry, art, and activities by adults and kids, for kids! (To come in January: Free PDF download and discussion guide, hard copy for sale on Amazon) epistemiclit.com/nimblewitlit...

There's so much bad news that posting about any one story feels like ignoring another. But my goodness, The Princess Bride alone has brought so much wonder and laughter into my life. Even more importantly, he was a fearless voice. We're lucky to have had him in our world. ktla.com/news/local-n...

Rob Reiner made some great movies but he was also unafraid to speak the truth, and was one of the public voices who knew you don’t squander your platform, and only got louder about opposing evil fucks as he got older. Legend.

The holidays are thought of as a joyful time, but they can be challenging as well. It'd be silly to say that #poetry is the solution, but it can help things feel a little more manageable. That's what we look at in this week's poetry blog. #poetrycommunity shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/12/14/p...

Two more poems up on the lovely Dirigible Balloon, and thanks to the perfect timing of @northernjim.bsky.social this one gets in just under the wire on the day it was set! dirigibleballoon.org/writer/ianbr... #PoetryCommunity #KidLit #Christmas2025

I have been inspired by '[Little Tree]' by e.e. cummings. #poem #poetry #Christmas #Prompt #WritingWorkshop

Hopefully I inspire some children to write. But my hope is that I inspire them more broadly. This poem is about that. New on my freshly-updated website: www.joshuaseigal.co.uk/my-poems/wha... #BookSky #EduSky #poetry

The submission window for our December flight closes in one week (Sunday December 14th). Still plenty of time to send poems for us to consider. Do please check out the guidelines on our website >>> dirigibleballoon.org/about #PoetryForChildren 🎈

A short holiday poem in response to the #wordoftheweek from @thetoypress.bsky.social #poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #poetryforchildren #poetryforkids

I'm thrilled to have one of my poems, "Illuminance," featured on the Children's Poetry Summit page. It's an honor to be included among so many incredibly talented children's poets. #poetry #kidlit #poetrycommunity childrenspoetrysummit.com/2025/12/11/c...

This made me smile. Libraries are magic.

Today's musical rabbit hole: I was working on a poem inspired by Jack and the Beanstalk, which got me thinking about Sondheim's "Into the Woods." That lead me to Mandy Patinkin's album "Dress Casual." Which is why I'm now listening to Patinkin sing in Yiddish for his 1998 record "Mamaloshen"

What's everybody reading right now? I'm currently in the midst of @adamgidwitz.bsky.social 's brilliant, Canterbury Tales-inspired novel "The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, Three Magical Children, and Their Holy Dog." This is gorgeous storytelling.

It's been chilly this week, so this week's poetry blog takes us out into the crisp, lovely cold of winter! #poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #writingprompt shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/12/07/p...

"Nan, how did you learn to cook?”   I say again.   “I just used to watch my mum,”   is always her reply.   #poem #poetry

Black Cowboys by Dom Flemons is one heck of a record. Absolutely essential listening for anyone who cares about songcraft in America and the role that Black cowboys played in shaping the American west.

Poetry Review - A Welly Full of Christmas, by Attie Lime poetryroundabout.com/2025/12/03/p...

Found myself writing about ol' Slue-Foot Sue this afternoon. Pecos Bill gets all the stories and songs, but Sue deserves a few of her own...

The children's poetry collection that I have coming out soon is based on creatures from American folklore, tall tales, legends, and mythology. The poems are taken from the sorta lore that smells like a campfire, and colors the imagination like the stain from a red dirt creek. I loved writing it.

Okay. The music selection today has moved from Johnny Cash to Jesse Welles.

For no real specific reason, it's a Johnny Cash sort of morning. I've listened to the Folsom record a lot more than Sam Quentin, so I'm trying to even it up a bit today

WE HAVE SUPER EXCITING NEWS!! Issue 1: Taking a Stand is now available to purchase IN PRINT! Get your copy and share this post to help us spread the power of children standing up for what they believe in! This issue is dedicated to the young heroes of our world! #TakingAStand #KidLit #EduSky

So, after a fair amount of consideration and research, I've decided to independently publish the collection of children's poetry I just put together. The actual text is done, and now it's onto the layout and design portion. Very excited to share this with everyone when it's complete.

Prepare to be blown away! LKM's Issue 8: Air is officially live. 🤯 Congrats to the creative kids with featured writing, art, and photos! Their work is truly a breath of fresh air. Please share far and wide to help celebrate, and keep shining! ✨ litkidsmagazine.wixsite.com/lit-kids-mag... #kidlit

A day late, but here's my take on @thetoypress.bsky.social #wordoftheweek #poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #writingprompt #poetryforkids

We're heading into the heart of the holiday season, and that's the theme of this week's blog post. Poems about holiday goodies!!! #poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/30/a...

Me when I'm being forced to deal with the business and marketing aspect of creative endeavors.

I read both of these recently and was utterly enchanted. They'd definitely be a great gift for anyone looking for a blend of magic, adventure, friendship, and beauty.

We're heading into the heart of the holiday season, and that's the theme of this week's blog post. Poems about holiday goodies!!! #poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit shaunmjex.wordpress.com/2025/11/30/a...

People in the US are celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow. Which got me pondering one of the pressing questions surrounding the holiday. Here it is in poem form. #poetry #poetrycommunity #kidlit #poetryforchildren #poems #thanksgiving