Have you had any formal poetry training? If not, how did you learn to write what you do? I absorbed the best at the time: David McCord, Myra Cohn Livingston, Lilian Moore, Eve Merriam, Karla Kuskin, Aileen Fisher etc., all of whom later became personal friends of mine. Lee: The more I read the more I wanted to write. What got you hooked on children’s poetry? After dinner she asked me if I would read it again! After her comments all I did was want to write. At her home in Long Island I read it to her (cautiously) before dinner. The first person who heard it was May Swenson, the great American Poet, who further encouraged me. The first poem I penned, “Hydrants” written in the late l960’s was a result of my city-living. Lee: Having used poetry as an elementary school teacher for many years and seeing what it can do to minds and hearts, it became a favorite genre of mine. You'll also find his name attached to the IRA Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, which is given every three years to a promising new poet of children’s poetry (for children and young adults up to grade 12).īefore we look at some of Lee's work, let's learn a bit more about him. Since its inception in 1993, the winning poet or anthologist has received a plaque and honorarium made possible through Lee's generosity.

Lee founded the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, an award presented annually to an American poet or anthologist for the most outstanding new book of children's poetry published in the previous calendar year. Some of these are books he has written, while others are anthologies for which he has selected the pieces.īut Lee does much more than write poetry. First published in 1969, Lee has more than 130 titles to his credit. This then, is the perfect day to celebrate all he has done and continues to do to commend, nurture and expand the world of children's poetry. Today the inimitable Lee Bennett Hopkins is celebrating a birthday.

Starfish by akemi dawn bowman