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About the Poets in HOP TO IT
Poets in HOP TO IT: Poems to Get You Moving
One of the key elements of an anthology is the way it presents a multitude of voices and perspectives to readers. We're happy to be able to share a diverse and inclusive list of 90 poets in HOP TO IT: Poems to Get You Moving. Many of our contributors are established poets who are very familiar to poetry fans, but we're thrilled to include many new (and "new-to-us") poets, too!
Veterans of Our Books
We welcome the return of several dozen past contributors to our books:
Alma Flor Ada, Ibtisam Barakat, Michelle Heidenrich Barnes, Doraine Bennett, Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, Robyn Hood Black, Susan Blackaby, David Bowles, Joseph Bruchac, Stephanie Calmenson, F. Isabel Campoy, Kristy Dempsey, Linda Dryfhout, Margarita Engle, Janet Clare Fagal, Carrie Finison, Nancy Bo Flood, Catherine Flynn, Charles Ghigna, Xelena González, Joan Bransfield Graham, Janice N. Harrington, David L. Harrison, Jane Heitman Healy, Carol-Ann Hoyte, Ann Ingalls, Jacqueline Jules, Julie Larios, Renée M. LaTulippe, Suzy Levinson, Jone Rush MacCulloch, JoAnn Early Macken, Diane Mayr, Heidi Mordhorst, Diana Murray, Lesléa Newman, Eric Ode, Linda Sue Park, Jack Prelutsky, Darren Sardelli, Michelle Schaub, Robert Schechter, Laura Shovan, Buffy Silverman, Margaret Simon, Eileen Spinelli, Elizabeth Steinglass, Holly Thompson, Linda Kulp Trout, Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, Padma Venkatraman, April Halprin Wayland, Carole Boston Weatherford, Tamera Will Wissinger, and Janet Wong. We are so grateful to these poets for their continuing support of our projects.
New to The Pomelo Poetry Family
We are over the moon about these new contributors to our books! Some are award-winning authors whose names you'll recognize (and who might already be among your favorites), but several are new poets at the beginning of their exciting careers:
Kathryn Apel, Rebecca Balcárcel, Jay Brazeau, Rose Cappelli, Yangsook Choi, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Natalee Creech, Ed DeCaria, Alice Faye Duncan, Zetta Elliott, Marilyn Garcia, Paul W. Hankins, Rebekah Hoeft, Karen G. Jordan, Alan Katz, Sheila Kerwin, Rebecca Gardyn Levington, Marjorie Maddox, Kevin Noble Maillard, Juli Mayer, David McMullin, Sarah Meade, Christy Mihaly, Laura Mucha, Baptiste Paul, Miranda Paul, Moe Phillips, Deborah Reidy, Leslie Ross-Degnan, Shanah Salter, Claire Schlinkert, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie, Sylvia Vardell, and Helen Kemp Zax.
Featuring so many new (and new-to-us) voices is one of the most exciting elements of any anthology. When you share the poems from HOP TO IT (or any anthology), invite your students to identify some favorite poets and to look for more of their work!
Connect with Poets
The Pomelo Poetry Family includes approximately 200 poets representing a half dozen countries. If your students are doing an "author study" or if you are seeking speakers for virtual or in-person events (for a school, library, or conference), contact us and we'll help connect you with poets who can meet your needs!
Selected Poems from HOP TO IT
"Deskercise"
"Everyday Use"
"Everyday Use"
Gotta love the word deskercise, right? This poem by Juli Mayer is perfect for reading out loud while seated at a desk. Move along with this clever how-to poem as you read and sit; children will love following the steps!
"Everyday Use"
"Everyday Use"
"Everyday Use"
Did you know that the heart is the hardest-working muscle of the approximately 600 muscles in your body? Share this empowering poem by Zetta Elliott (and her video) to celebrate the hearts and minds of all children.
"Bones & Math"
"Everyday Use"
"Tae Kwon Do Punch"
A human baby has between 275—300 bones; adults have only 206. Several bones fuse into single bones as we grow. Move your wrists, hands, ankles, and feet and clap and stamp as you read this poem by Joan Bransfield Graham!
"Tae Kwon Do Punch"
"Tae Kwon Do Punch"
"Tae Kwon Do Punch"
Tae kwon do students start with a white belt and, as they improve, move to yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, red, red + black, and then black belts. Learn to count to four in Korean with this poem by Yangsook Choi!
"Reach!"
"Tae Kwon Do Punch"
"Ways to Say Hello"
Make a reach up motion each time you hear the word reach, as you read the poem out loud. This poem by Rebecca Balcárcel contains several examples of alliteration (tippy toes, catch/cup, helpful hands, tall/tap/twirl).
"Ways to Say Hello"
"Tae Kwon Do Punch"
"Ways to Say Hello"
No hugging? No handshakes? No in-person hellos? NO PROBLEM! You can wave with your foot, do an air bump, or flap your wings to say hello. This poem by Janet Wong makes a perfect "act-along" during a Zoom meeting. Try it!
"Staycation"
Are your students suffering from the "no vacation" blues? Share this fun poem by contributing poet Michelle Schaub that celebrates the joys of staying at home!
"Now's Your Chance"
Feeling frazzled? YES, we are! It's perfectly understandable if we're a little weary right now. But just in case you (or your kids) can use a nudge to learn something new—here's a clever poem by Karen G. Jordan to inspire you!
"You Can Do It Right Now"
"You Can Do It Right Now"
Kids want to make a difference. They want to help our world become a better place. Have them pat themselves on the back each time the word "you" appears in Janet Wong's poem for an uplifting, affirming moment of inspiration!