As Giddy as a Pig in the Sunshine

Sat, 08/20/2011 - 11:25am by Grace22

When J. Patrick Lewis learned that he had been named Children’s Poet Laureate, he said, “I felt as giddy as a pig in the sunshine. I felt like an otter in a waterfall. It was thrilling!”

Lewis’ two-year term began in May. He will help raise awareness that kids are naturally receptive and appreciate poetry, especially if it is written for them.

The Chicago-based Poetry Foundation has awarded the Laureateship twice before, to Jack Prelutsky and Mary Ann Hoberman.

You can dip into some of our new Children's Poet Laureate's recent collections:
Spot the Plot: a Riddle Book of Book Riddles
The World’s Greatest: Poems
Once Upon a Tomb: Gravely Humorous Verses
Scien-Trickery: Riddles in Science
A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme
A Burst of Firsts: Doers, Shakers, and Record Breakers

Here is his poem,
Necessary Gardens:

Libraries
Are
Necessary
Gardens,
Unsurpassed
At
Growing
Excitement.