The Aspiring Poet's Journal [Paperback]

Bernard Friot (Author), Herve Tullet (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Develop your poetic voice in this inspiring 365-day journal!

A companion to The Aspiring Writer’s Journal and The Aspiring Artist’s Journal, this book will inspire young poets to create new work every day of the year. Sometimes getting a little inspiration can be the hardest part of starting a poem. With this journal, the aspiring poet can read exercises, suggestions, and examples while working on developing his or her own creative voice. Charmingly illustrated—and yet with plenty of blank space for ideas—this book has an idea for every day, along with anecdotes, advice, and encouragement.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—Friot offers a page-a-day crash course in the art of writing poetry. Every one of its 365 pages includes an inspiring quote from which a spin-off assignment is derived. On Day 2, for example, a quote by Jean L'Anselme reads, "We may not know what poetry is, but we recognize it when we see it." The task: "What does poetry mean to you? Give as many definitions as possible." The reader's journey unfurls from such early exploratory exercises into widely varied prompts, each designed to reveal a new facet of the creative process. They range from playing with form, sound, and space to creating an interpretive dance, observing street signs as inspiration, and rearranging parts of old poems. Ample white space is aptly balanced by Tullet's vibrant, mixed-media artwork. Different fonts enable young people to home in on the varied elements of each page, resulting in a playful, rather than frenetic, layout. Simply stated, the term "journal" doesn't do justice to the possibilities held within this treasure. Teen poets will undoubtedly embrace the opportunity to internalize, personalize, and take ownership of the poetry-writing experience. Teachers, if they're able to stop themselves from keeping this title for personal use, will find it a versatile, low-pressure tool for instruction.—Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT
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About the Author

Before becoming a writer, Bernard Friot was a literature professor.

Called the King of Preschool Books in France, Hervé Tullet is an award-winning artist and art director. He has published more than twenty books that have been translated into numerous languages. He lives in Paris with his partner, an editor, and their three children.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810972387
• ISBN-13: 978-0810972384
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #711,770 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Working through poetry., January 1, 2009

By 

Allyson Szabo (Southwest NH, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Aspiring Poet's Journal (Paperback)

Though this book is rated for children, I find it to be a fascinating and inspiring piece of work. The imagery is beautiful, and the prompts range from the every-day to the fantastical. To improve any skill, one must practice it, and this book provides that for the aspiring or new poet. By spending a little bit of time every day writing poetry, the author grows and learns.

Though it is not a text book, I highly recommend this to anyone who is desperate for writing prompts or ideas for poetry.