The reading
Last Monday the Tale Spinners, our Grade 2 and 3 writers’ workshop celebrated the launch their first collection of poetry with an evening of readings for family and friends. The collection, entitled There’s A Cafeteria On This Train!, brought together five poems that the group has written collaboratively over the fall term.
Okay, I’m just going to come out and say it – the launch was awesome. From the group’s energetic readings, to the sprinkles on the horse-shaped cookies, this event is one of the highlights of my time at the Lyceum so far. I really could go on and on, but I’ll limit myself to a Top 5 list.
Laura’s Top Five Favourite Moments from the Tale Spinner’s Book Launch
1) Hanging out in the living room before the launch, practising our “author” signatures. Adrian letting me know that the more illegible the signature, the more authorish it is. His signature? Incredibly authorish.
The authors signing their books
2) Realizing as I listened to the Tale Spinners read that in each of their poems, you can pinpoint the moment where the group got hungry and began to think about having a snack. My favourite example is from their Halloween poem – “Phantoms in the air / Doughnuts flying everywhere.”
3) The energy and pride the authors put into their readings. The way they smiled when they read their favourite lines. The way it is impossible to say the word “barf” without giggling a little.
4) The awesome cookies from Tinker’s Hatch Bakery. How happy Cole was about the awesome cookies from Tinker’s Hatch Bakery.
5) Getting my book signed by each of the authors.
The Tale Spinners are incredible poets. Check out Scrumptious Snack, the first poem from their anthology:
I have nothing in my head
but on my plate I have
mouth-watering ice cream
sprinkled with sizzling cherries
fresh from the mouth-watering airplane.
Gooey Key Lime Pie
is succulent in fall
when the pumpkin-toasty leaves
are creamy and sweet.
Tart lemon curd is scrumptious when eaten
with everybody on the planet.
I eat lemon curd with Captain Rex.
I eat lemon curd alone.
My sister is too annoying for lemon curd.
I eat lemon curd with you.
I am hungry.
I feel gross, acidic -
cheese and ketchup,
porridge and breakfast.
Is it almost snack time?