A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt, Guests-Ken Slesarik and His Daughter, Catherine

Posted on by Penny Parker Klostermann

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Brenda at Friendly Fairy Tales is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup today. If you’d like to know more about Poetry Friday, click HERE for an explanation by Renee LaTulippe.

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 seventh-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 one 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 a creative collaboration from . . .

Ken Slesarik and His Daughter, Catherine

From Ken: As far as the collaboration process, at first I tried to write a poem that matched a beautiful drawing that Catherine had done. The problem was I kept going towards subtle humor and that just did not do the beautiful art justification as that particular piece called for a more moving, less humorous approach. So then we went with plan B where I mentioned to Catherine a poem I was working on and then I asked her to draw something she thought would work with what I was trying to do. When we were both done I was very pleased with the results and feel the art and poem complement each other much like an illustration in a book. We hope you enjoy our efforts.

Catherine and Ken’s Collaboration

Art by Catherine Slesarik
Art by Catherine Slesarik (click to enlarge)
      My Favorite Train Car?
 
The railroad engine, red and bright?
Is this the one I choose tonight?
I can’t decide, oh what’s the use?
I guess I’ll pick the blue caboose?
 
I feel a tug within myself
then take the engine off the shelf
and put it back to call a truce
but pick again the blue caboose.
 

Each night I try without much gain.
I just can’t choose betwixt the twain. 
I can’t decide, I’ve no excuse.
The engine or the blue caboose?

© 2016 by Ken Slesarik All Rights Reserved

Many thanks to Ken and Catherine for sharing their talents with us today.

ken-and-catherine-slesarik-ppk-blog-post-copyMeet Catherine: Catherine Slesarik is an award winning artist and collage student from Arizona. She enjoys sharing her talents with people of all ages. An avid reader and science buff, Catherine plans to incorporate science in her work as a children’s illustrator to inspire girls and women everywhere.

 
Meet Ken: Ken Slesarik is an elementary school teacher and children’s poet from Phoenix, Arizona. His “Heroes and Poets” assembly program has been well received by teachers, students, parents and administrators. When not teaching or visiting schools Ken writes poetry for children with poems published in several world-wide anthologies and magazines. Ken’s mission is to empower students through the medium of poetry and he is a poetry advocate to children and teachers alike.
http://kenslesarik.com/

24 thoughts on “A Great Nephew and a Great Aunt, Guests-Ken Slesarik and His Daughter, Catherine”

  4. Terrific pair! The poem flows so nicely, and the illustration is just right (I especially like the engine and the caboose, but I also like the curves of that blanket — oh no, I can’t decide!).

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Beautiful poem and drawing, Ken and Catherine – wowza! I think my favorite part is that the child having trouble deciding between train cars is a girl. Amazingly talented duo. Thanks for featuring them, Penny. =)

    Liked by 2 people

  9. I’ve seen Catherine’s art when Ken shares it on FB, and it is fabulous. This poem may hold a little humor, Ken, yet it could mean something deeper about choice, right? Love both! Thanks Penny for another wonderful collaboration!

    Liked by 2 people

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