If you live in Saint Pauls, NC . . .

Hi everyone,

Sandy Asher just notified me that our play, which she wrote inspired by my poetry, is being produced once again. This time it will be staged in Saint Pauls, North Carolina, April 20 – 23, 2012. I’ve lost track of how many times the play has been produced but the number keeps growing. Once it appeared in Europe. Anyway, here’s the official notice.

SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEWORK
“…a lively and witty show certain to entertain kids and their parents” —News-Leader, Springfield, Mo.

Comedy. By Sandra Fenichel Asher. Inspired by the poetry of David L. Harrison. Optional incidental music by Ric Averill.

Cast: 2m., 2w., 1 either gender. Expandable to 13 roles, plus extras as desired. A light-hearted, high-energy look at one eventful day in the life of fourth-grader Samantha, the new girl in town, who has lost her beloved cat, Corky. At the bus stop, Samantha meets three wacky new friends who welcome her into their class, which just happens to be studying the animal kingdom. Their search for essay topics takes them from a dinner table’s chicken thighs to the pasture of a bull not pleased to see visitors. A wayward wad of bubble gum, tuba practice and a sticky baby sister later, the busy day finally peaks with the rescue of Corky.

Nineteen humorous—and sometimes serious—poems by David L. Harrison are woven into the script as dialogue. Instead of bursting into song, the characters break out into poetry! Incidental music composed especially for this play is available. Highly tourable by five actors. SOMEBODY CATCH MY HOMEWORK also offers creative opportunities for a larger cast and/or audience participation. Minimal staging. Approximate running time: 45 minutes.

“My” bookmobile

Hi everyone,

Recently I received the flattering news that one of my poems, “My Book,” has been selected by Pueblo, Colorado’s City-County Library District to adorn their new bookmobile. This vehicle will be driven out to several underprivileged/underserved communities in Pueblo County to help bring books to many children who otherwise have little access to books of their own.

I’ve been waiting for clearance to post a picture of the van. The poem starts on the driver’s side and winds up on the passenger’s side. I’ve posted the poem before but here it is again.

MY BOOK

by David L. Harrison
from Somebody Catch My Homework

I did it!
I did it!
Come and look
At what I’ve done!
I read a book!

When someone wrote it
Long ago
For me to read,
How did he know
That this was the book
I’d take from the shelf
And lie on the floor
And read by myself?

I really read it!
Just like that!
Word by word,
From first to last!

I’m sleeping with
This book in bed,
This first FIRST book
I’ve ever read!

Poems of the Week

My thanks to Charles Waters for beng my guest yesterday. Many of you have commented on the interview. For more information about Charles, here is his website. http://www.charleswaters.net

BULLETIN: Here’s a good opportunity for writers in Kansas and area states. It’s an upcomng Kansas SCBWI conference. One of the featured speakers is J.B. Cheaney who was one of the authors scheduled for the Writers Hall of Fame Missouri Author Tour, had it jelled.Upcoming event information:

Catching Fire 2010 Workshop – Fanning the Flames – Research Techniques, Interviewing & School Visits Mardel, Overland Park, KS
Date: 17 July 2010, Saturday 09:30 AM

Time is running out to sign up for this event. Check out the details below.
SCHEDULE:
9:30 Welcomes, chat, stragglers

9:45 to 10:45 Kaite Stover will discuss efficient research techniques and how to utilize your friendly local library’s research experts

10:45-10:55 quick break

10:55 to 11:55 Lisa McCormick will offer offer tips to find the best experts and conduct painless, productive interviews

Lunch from noon to 1:15

1:15 to 2:15 JB Cheaney first half talk about how to dazzle during author visits

2:15 – 2:25 quick break

2:25 – 3:30 JB Chaney pt 2

Questions? Contact your Regional Advisor at ks_scbwi.org

More information and online registration: Catching Fire 2010 Workshop – Fanning the Flames – Research Techniques, Interviewing & School Visits

Since Kathy Temean first began posting one of my poems each Sunday, the number has grown considerably. In case you are interested in reviewing these or looking for some in particular, here is a list of all the poems posted so far and their source.
POEMS OF THE WEEK

Date, Poem, Book
9-06-09 Butterfly, Farmer’s Garden

8-31-09 dragonfly, bugs, poems about creeping things
3-28-10 bookworm, bugs, poems about creeping things
5-2-10 Spider, bugs, poems about creeping things
6-6-10 Chigger, bugs, poems about creeping things

9-18-09 Friends, Partner Poems

9-13-09 Two Frogs and a Witch, The Book of Giant Stories
10-25-09 Giant Named Groans, The Book of Giant Stories

9-27-09 Swimsuits, Vacation
2-21-10 Vacation, Vacation

10-05-09 Jarrett Junior High School, Connecting Dots
10-20-09 Goodbye Picture, Connecting Dots
1-03-10 Away from Camp, Connecting Dots
2-07-10 Kryptonite Blues, Connecting Dots
5-30-10 Mysterious Birds, Connecting Dots

10-12-09 Signing on a Crew, Pirates
11-29-09 Pirates Nest, Pirates

11-02-09 Rooster Walk, Sounds of Rain
11-08-09 Rhythms, Sounds of Rain
11-15-09 Song of Bees, Sounds of Rain
11-22-09 Wondering on the Stars, Sounds of Rain
1-24-10 Ambassadors, Sounds of Rain
12-13-09 Night Stalker, Sounds of Rain
4-18-10 Blowing Downriver, Sounds of Rain
6-28-10 Tree Bones, Sounds of Rain

11-26-09 A Poem Begins, Children’s Literature in the Reading Program

12-06-09 Wolf, Wild Country
12-20-09 Above the Tree Line, Wild Country
12-27-09 No Words , Wild Country
3-10-10 Song of the Tree Frogs, Wild Country
4-04-10 No Words , Wild Country
4-25-10 Puffin, Wild Country
5-9-10 Crossing Paths, Wild Country
7-4-10 No Words , Wild Country

1-10-10 The Bus, The Mouse was Out at Recess
1-17-10 My Essay on Birds, The Mouse was Out as Recess
1-31-10 The Dog in School, The Mouse was Out at Recess

2-14-10 Love, Somebody Catch My Homework,

3-01-10 My Bed, The Alligator in the Closet
3-14-10 The Guest in the Pantry, The Alligator in the Closet
3-21-09 Socks Without Partners, The Alligator in the Closet
5-16-10 Keepers, The Alligator in the Closet
6-13-10 To the Victor, The Alligator in the Closet
6-20-10 Family Heirlooms, The Alligator in the Closet

4-11-10 Weeds, The Boy Who Counted Stars

5-23-10 Spending the Night with Relatives Vacation, We’re Going to the Ocean

Basket of Books

I’ve been asked if my books are available through my blog or website. When Kathy Temean and I were putting together the elements of my sites, I decided to leave out the sales pitch although I suppose that most readers know that I write books for a living and hope to see my work in the hands of more people over time, partly as a result of my efforts here.

But here’s a sales flyer that I want to show you. Boyds Mills Press and Wordsong have put together a basket of seven titles to make it easier for schools, libraries, and individuals who are interested in my work to order a balanced selection of titles that comes with a laminated teaching guide developed by educators to help make each book more meaningful to young readers.

I’m proud of this effort on my behalf. If you know someone you might like to order the basket, please pass on today’s post before the order deadline of July 31.

Of course you can buy my books in book stores or ask them to order any they don’t have in stock, and you can order titles on line through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc. For a complete list of my publications, go to my website under the Books page. Thank you.

David

Poem of the Week – Love

Happy Valentine’s Day,

David
(Poem from Somebody Catch My Homework)