Judith Natelli McLaughlin

contact:  judy@aimwrite.net

CLICK HERE TO BUY POEMS & ODES

or, check out Barnes & Noble to purchase

This new year/new decade is already proving exciting for Poems & Odes activity.  Yesterdsay, I was in Lara Moskowitz’s first grade class at Clinton School in Maplewood, NJ.  The children and I had so much fun!  And guess what, I brought in an acorn squash and for the very first time, one little girl knew exactly what it was!  I was quite impressed.  Here I am with the kids. Thanks, gang, for making my visit so successful.  But before checking out the pictures, please read the poem that the children wrote together.  It is silly and fun and if you have someone read it out loud to you while you close your eyes, you can really create some funny pictures in your head!

Our Silly Poem

A white bunny ate an orange carrot

A tiny shark can’t reach land

Daniel and I caught a fish

We named the octopus Rustin

A big fish ate a little fish swimming in the ocean

Sponge Bob got stuck in some seaweed

Right before the violent storm

I fight bad guys with Ninja Turtles

Squash is a vegetable

Some Uggs are different colors

I was resting in the blanket and Sponge Bob fell asleep in the seaweed.

As you know, in December of ‘09, my book was featured on Fox 5 Good Day New York as part of a holiday gift guide!  Well, I think people listened to host, Tara Clavell-Vera, and made my book a part of their lives, which makes me so happy, because I truly believe healthy eating starts with a poem.  If we want to raise children who are healthy eaters, first, we must teach them what those healthy choices are!  And I am working hard to do just that.  In fact, I have been invited to teach a cooking class, in conjunction with my book, at Kings Cooking Studio in both Short Hills and Bedminster, NJ.  On Saturday, February 20th, I will recite poetry and work with kids aged five to seven to make Carrot Crudite with Yogurt Dipping Sauce,  Asparagus Fries, Roasted Parsnips and Zucchini over Pasta and Frozen Grapes.  Mmmmmm, sounds delicious, huh?  I will be in Bedminster from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and Short Hills from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Check out Kings Cooking Studio for more information or to sign up.  And I just got word of a very exciting, upcoming event… I will be appearing at the Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway, New York, NY.  Yup!  On Valentine’s Day (2/14) I’m heading to Broadway and I couldn’t be more excited. I will recite from Poems & Odes, get the kids excited about poetry and healthy food choices, and then, help the kids to write their own group poem.  When I am finished, I will stay on to sign copies of my book.  Come on out and celebrate with me at my “Broadway debut.”

What follows is a list of all my upcoming events…

Upcoming Events

Sunday, February 14 - Barnes & Noble - Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway, New York, NY - I will be reciting poetry and signing copies of my book.  This event is open to the public, so come join in!

Saturday, February 20 - Kings Cooking Studio - I will be reciting from my book and cooking complimentary recipes in Bedminster, NJ from 10:00 - 12:00 and in Short Hills, NJ from 2:00 - 4:00.  Sign up is necessary, so check it out and I hope to see you there!

Tuesday, April 13 - Glenwood Elementary School - Short Hills, NJ.  I have been invited to the school by librarian, Shea Stansfield, to read from my book and get kids interested in poetry and healthy eating.  I can’t wait to meet the eager learners at Glenwood!

Thursday, April 15 - Barnes & Noble, Princeton, NJ - The time of this event is 1:30 p.m. and is open to the public.  I sure hope to see you there.

That’s it for now.  I will keep you posted as more events pop up.  Give me a shout out if you make it to one of these events.  I would love to hear from you at judy@aimwrite.net.  Until then, remember, healthy eating starts with a poem.