I pour steaming water from the kettle over tea bags in our favorite mugs and tea cups. Earl Grey in a blue willow china tea cup for me. Sophia chooses the Tom Kitten tea cup and the boys pick out the mugs they painted in an abstract expression-like style a few years ago. They all select the gentle orange flavor of Constant Comment as their tea of choice.
We’ve spent some time in the wind-blown spring air checking to see what new flowers have pushed their way through the soggy earth. The daffodils are beginning to die away but the tulips are just starting to unfurl. But now we’ve stomped back inside to warm up to tea, cookies, fruit, and poetry.
I was first introduced to the concept of Poetry Teatime by Julie on the Read Aloud Revival podcast. I thought the idea was fabulous! Creating a language-rich environment with poetry and treats. And what kid will say no to treats?
Since then, we’ve been attempting to have poetry teatime about once a week. I’m stocking a few extra boxes of cookies in the pantry and it’s been a fun new tradition. It doesn’t have to be particularly fussy. No need to always have tea either. Juice or lemonade works great too.
Since beginning Poetry Teatime we’ve discovered some favorite poetry themed books... Some are collections of poetry. But I also like to include picture books about the lives of poets. Being someone who loves history and biography, it’s wonderful to read the story about a poet’s life and then go on to enjoy their work.
Although these pictures look quiet and proper, poetry teatime is actually loud and messy. Kids interrupt and tea spills. The baby throws food on the floor and the dog gobbles up. But we’re having fun and the kids are actually enjoying and asking for more! My son even asked me, “So how do you write a poem, anyway?”
Danielle shares her family's favorite poetry collections and picture book biographies of poets on her lovely blog, Beauty in the Everyday.