At (very) long last, I am excited and relieved to say that my debut poem picture book, The Crab Ballet, is finally almost here!

Coming out March 8, it’s illustrated by Cécile Metzger, who has filled it with her beautiful and delicate watercolor creatures.
I mean, how many skinny little crab legs did she have to paint, anyway?!

To celebrate, I thought I’d give you a sneak peek … and a giveaway challenge!

That’s right, to be entered in the giveaway, there’s a fun little quiz waiting for you. But don’t worry–the crabs are very forgiving if you’re rusty on your meter.
I hope you will check it out and join the giveaway fun! All is explained right here in this little video!
What’s that? You need more sea creatures? Luckily I’m putting together an activity pack for your young marine life lovers. It will be ready to send out on March 8 and includes coloring pages (like the one below), mazes, word puzzles, and more.
There’s more info on how to sign up for that in the video!

Thank you for celebrating with me! Now you need to do three pirouettes and grand jeté over to The Miss Rumphius Effect where Tricia is hosting Poetry Friday!

Text © 2022 Renée M. LaTulippe
Illustrations © 2022 Cécile Metzger
See my poetry video library for more poetry videos.
Ah pure delight, you, Crab Ballet and No Water River to brighten a rather snowy day here. As you know I have entered and ordered. How could I not?????
Yes, you’re definitely entered, Janet! And thank you so much for the support! 🙂
THE CRAB BALLET watercolors are just …. SIGH!!! What a delight! I’m sending this on to my Kindergarten-teacher-sister and will insist she add a marine unit for her kiddoes! JOY!!
I know!!! All of Cécile’s art is … SIGH!!! 😀 Thank you for sharing the Crabs & Co. with your sister!
Iambic Tetrameter
AABA
You got it, Irene! You’re entered in the drawing! I’ll be announcing the winner in the comments on my YouTube channel on March 8. 🙂
How wonderful! I knew it would be.
Iambic tetrameter
Rhyme scheme: aaba
Thank you so much, Damon! You’re entered in the drawing! I’ll be announcing the winner in the comments on my YouTube channel on March 8. 🙂
Congratulations!
Grazie mille, Mary Lee! 🙂
Renee, I’m so excited for your book. I pre-ordered from my local indie, so I look forward to reading it soon!
Thank you so much for your support, Marcie! I hope you like it! <3
Sooo beautiful! Congratulations!!
❤️🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀❤️
Written in perfect iambic tetrameter, and rhyme scheme is aaba. 😍
Thank you so much, Susie! You’re entered in the drawing! I’ll be announcing the winner in the comments on my YouTube channel on March 8. 🙂
Congratulations, Renee. I always love your ocean scenes at home, so now I know what your creative mind has been doing, writing a beautiful seaside tale! I had a good teacher so it is iambic tetrameter with an ABAB rhyme scheme. Wish we could add photos. I have a little crab, thought red, just like yours. When the grandchildren were toddlers, they adored it!
Thank you so much, Linda! Living by the sea is definitely inspiring. And that little crab is from back in the 90s when I hosted a Halloween party and a good friend came dressed as her pet hermit crab. I knew it would come in handy someday! 😀
Now down to business … take another look at that rhyme scheme!
I don’t know if my comment went through, Renee, but wanted to tell you congratulations. We have a crab very like yours, but red! Your poems appear to be iambic tetrameter ABAB.
I got it and you’re entered! 🙂
Renee, I am so happy for you! Everything about your book looks beautiful! I can’t wait until my copy arrives! xo
Thank you so much for your support, Linda! I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Cécile made it so so pretty. 🙂
Congratulations! Your book looks ‘clawsome’! 😉
HA! Now I have to steal that, Bridget! Thank you!