Welcome to episode 5!
Note: This video is the first of the last two videos I did with Lee for this series before he passed away. Since we did not complete the series, and it was so important to Lee to do so, the last two episodes (the 80s and 90s) will be narrated by Dr. Sylvia Vardell. I know Lee would be happy that a poetry advocate as dedicated and knowledgeable as he will be completing this history in his stead.
In this series, Lee Bennett Hopkins takes us through a chronology of American poets for children from 1920 to 1999. Each episode focuses on the poets of a single decade, and the posts include a few sample poems, photos, and a growing timeline of poets.
We hope you’ll enjoy this journey through time with us!
For an in-depth look at this poet, see also the NCTE Spotlight Series: Eve Merriam.
For an in-depth look at this poet, see also the NCTE Spotlight Series: Barbara Juster Esbensen.
For an in-depth look at this poet, see also the NCTE Spotlight Series: Lilian Moore.
See more poems in my poetry video library.
Individual poems are copyrighted by their respective authors. All rights reserved.
Video and post content © Renée M. LaTulippe. All rights reserved.
Thank you for continuing to publish this series, Renée. I know it must have been difficult for you. But I really enjoyed listening to the history—the personal notes and memories especially—and hearing Lee’s voice and laugh again. I also loved your poem readings, and watching Lee as he listened to you. He clearly enjoyed listening to you read the poems as well! <3
Renee, I loved this post so much. What a gift it was to all of us, this video of Lee and the tremendous amount of work and love he gave poetry right up to the end of his life. I loved it! Thank you for putting it together. And, I’m excited about Sylvia Vardell taking up the research. What a wonderful team you two will be. I like the description of this decade as an explosion of poetry. There were more poets in tune with young minds…I wonder what went into this? The study of psychology? The post WWII life? It fascinates me. Right now, I don’t know which poet I’m going to choose as inspiration for writing today…I think I’m going to let them sit a while and see what comes as I garden, clean and tend to my home this weekend. Thank you so very much!
So good, Renée! So good to hear Lee’s voice, advocating for poetry till the very end. And so good to see you and Lee together, laughing and reading. This has been my favorite episode so far, perhaps because I am a child of the 60s. All of these poets are so good, it’s hard to narrow down a favorite to choose inspiration from. I especially love Barbara Esbensen, e.e. cummings (so unique!) & Kaye Starbird. Thank you for all the work that goes into this series. I’m looking forward to future installments with you and Sylvia!
Oh my, Renee, It’s as if you’ve compiled a bank of poetry notes filled to the brim with such wealth. This made me both happy and sad, happy so much because you and Lee created them to live on, and sad, of course, for Lee being gone. I started teaching in the sixties & know some of these, was happy to see the ones Lee showed & hearing you both reading them. At one time or another I have shared poems by these authors, love Zolotow’s poems & all her books. Thank you for sharing. I’ve enjoyed all you’re sharing, too, from home & hope things have loosened up a little bit in Italy, & that you & the family are doing well. Happy Weekend!
Everything about this video and post fills me with joy–thank you, Renee!
Fabulous resource! Thank you for creating and sharing it. Several of these are old favorites from my childhood, but I missed a few of them.
Thanks Renee!
I can’t believe I’m just now watching this wonderful little series you’ve created. This whole series is a Treasure!! Especially that you’ve captured LBH speaking about it all in his own words. It should be required knowledge for all of us in the Po Biz! I can’t wait for the next few decades.