Poetry Friday: Children's Party

I'm a big lurker of kid lit blogs. And I've been toying with the idea of joining in on the Poetry Friday fun. (Though I shudder at the thought of commitment.) Finally, today, I can resist no longer: Susan at Chicken Spaghetti is seeking poetry recommendations for children re: parties and/or princesses, which reminded me of a fun poem, and it is Friday, and I have 10 minutes free to post.

Unfortunately, my poem isn't quite what she's looking for. (I'll be interested to read the more relevant replies to her post.) In the meantime, can't resist offering up a post-party poem for the host parent(s). If you've ever hosted a horde of little ones at your home, you will appreciate this one. Enjoy!

Children's Party
by Ogden Nash

May I join you in the doghouse, Rover?
I wish to retire till the party's over.
Since three o'clock I've done my best
To entertain each tiny guest.

My conscience now I've left behind me,
And if they want me, let them find me.
I blew their bubbles, I sailed their boats,
I kept them from each other's throats.

I told them tales of magic lands,
I took them out to wash their hands.
I sorted their rubbers and tied their laces,
I wiped their noses and dried their faces...

For the rest of the poem, please follow this link, where it has been posted in full with permission. It's worth the trip! :-)

The City of Ember

My son and I loved this book. I can't wait to see the movie.

Harry moves on

Sunday brought a bittersweet milestone for Harry Potter and his fans. After 9 years, 11 months and 14 days, "the boy who lived" has left the NY Times Best Sellers list. (Wait, make that the NY Times Children's Series Best Sellers list.)

Dwight Gardner has written a nice article about Harry's run and the changes it brought to the list. The problem with the "nice article" is the nice part--it glosses over the creation of the separate Children's List, making it seem less sinister, like an accomplishment for J.K. Rowling, rather than a farce for the NY Times Book Review. For a little insight (and a healthy dose of vitriol), I suggest Michael Gitz's July post to the other HP (Huffington Post).

Answer trivia questions and help donate books

From their website:
"The Cheerios Book Donation Challenge gives individuals the power to help decide where the books will be donated by answering trivia questions based on children’s books, from now until Sunday, June 15, 2008. For every correct answer, individuals can cast one vote. Cheerios will donate 20,000 children books, written by John Lithgow to the five states with the most votes."

The books will be donated to FirstBook.org. Fun, easy, entertaining and all for a good cause. Be sure to click on your state after each correct answer.