A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt, Guests-Charles Waters, His Niece, Amani, and His Nephew, Dane

Posted on by Penny Parker Klostermann

 

Ants may rule the hill, but they don’t rule here! Art by Landon (Click to Enlarge)
Ants may rule the hill, but they don’t rule here! Art by Landon (Click to Enlarge)

Hello, Great Readers of our series! Just In case you haven’t visited before, let me tell you a little about A Great Nephew and A Great Aunt. My great nephew, Landon (a sixth-grader) and I (his great aunt) collaborate. I write a poem which he illustrates. We started this collaboration in the fall of 2014 and have had so much fun with it that we decided to invite others along. Landon and I will continue to have a new episode on the second Friday of each month. The other Fridays are filling up quickly with guests.

I have created a page on my website to view all the episodes of A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt. Click HERE to visit the page and enjoy past episodes.

Today it’s my pleasure to share two creative collaborations from . . .

Charles Waters, His Niece, Amani, and His Nephew, Dane

From Charles: I love my niece, Amani Gibson, and my nephew, Dane Syeer Saunders. They are smart, funny, lovely humans.  Both are the kids of my youngest sibling, Keri.  When Amani was little I called her my “little buddy,” and she called me her “big buddy.”  Dane, on the other hand, is tiny whirlwind who slips through your fingers if you try to catch him for a hug or kiss, so for now, we don’t talk as much.

Amani will be turning 14 years old on April 17th, so picture you see of her, and the paper plated creation she made, was when she was a wee one.

Dane’s one-eyed, feathered creation was made not too long ago, he’s still a wee one himself whose 3rd birthday is on April 5th.

It makes my heart happy to creatively share my children’s poems, written specifically, for the creations of Amani and Dane.  Both of them, as well as my other nieces and nephew, are superstars!!!

Amani’s CreationIMG_04041

Charles’s poem about Amani’s childhood creationSlide1

Dane’s CreationIMG_19711

Charles’s poem about Dane’s childhood creationSlide1

Photos of the young creators.

Amani 3
Amani
Amani
Amani
Amani 2
Amani
IMG_55401
Dane

Many thanks to Charles, Amani, and Dane for sharing their talents with us today!

Charles Waters Headshots 003Meet Charles: Charles Waters is a Children’s Poet, Actor and Educator who has performed in schools and universities across the country.  His work has appeared in various textbooks and anthologies including The National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry edited by former Children’s Poet Laureate of the United States J. Patrick Lewis.

His first book It’s Not Black and White, co-written with Irene Latham, will be released by Milbrook Press in Fall 2017.

For more information please visit Charles in these places.
Website
Blog
Facebook Fan Page
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube channel

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Read-a-Poem Logo

 

Thanks to Amy for hosting The Poem Farm for hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup. If you’d like to know more about Poetry Friday, click HERE for an explanation by Renee LaTulippe.poetry friday button

38 thoughts on “A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt, Guests-Charles Waters, His Niece, Amani, and His Nephew, Dane”

  7. What a joyful collaboration! These children are lucky to have Charles as their REAL Uncle Charles. I pretend that he’s my Uncle, but to have him as a real uncle would be a gift. You always bring together such happiness, Penny. Happy National Poetry Month! xo

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I caught myself smiling through this entire post. Thanks so much for sharing, both of you, and to Amani and Dane for sharing, too. (Like Michelle, I loved that “tiny whirlwind who slips through your fingers” description!)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m with you and Michelle—“tiny whirlwind who slips through your fingers” is so poetic!
      I know what you mean by smiling through the entire post. I couldn’t stop smiling when Charles emailed all the goodies!

      Like

  9. What sweet children and crafty creations! I love how Charles reached into his imagination to tell their stories. I also love the way he described his nephew: “tiny whirlwind who slips through your fingers.” Don’t we all know children like that!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. I love those paper creatures, and the photographs with their shining faces. The poems were splendid, too, especially the idea that the one-eyed martian would be in flight throughout the night, keeping his little buddy safe.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Love these creative kids, including Charles! Isn’t that what one has to be to write poems that make kids smile? Thanks for sharing Charles’ niece and nephew and their wonderful creations, Penny.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. That Martian cutie with its rhythm and rhyme makes me want to sing. What adorable children and fun art! Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Dwight looks like fun. I hope he isn’t hiding under a car in my neighborhood, though. That would scare me. The alarm clock doggie looks a little like ME! Super-fun match-up today!

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for coming by, Liz. One thing I like about this series is the “giving voice.” Whether the art comes first or the poem, each seems to “give voice” to the other. Collaboration is a beautiful thing!

      Like

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