A Writing Kind of Day

A Writing Kind of Day is a collection of twenty-seven poems written by Ralph Fletcher that capture a young writer's observations and experiences. The poems are accompanied by black-and-white illustrations and photographs by April Ward, using various artistic mediums. The collection addresses diverse subjects from everyday life, including encounters with nature, family relationships, and school experiences. Topics range from observations of roadkill and Venus Flytraps to personal reflections on snow angels and interactions with family members. Fletcher's poems present writing and creativity through a child's perspective, challenging traditional approaches to poetry education. The work combines concrete observations with imaginative elements, demonstrating how young writers can find inspiration in ordinary moments and transform them into verse. The collection explores themes of discovery, personal expression, and the relationship between observation and creativity. Through accessible language and relatable situations, the book serves as both a poetry collection and an informal guide for young writers developing their own voice.

Readers describe this poetry collection as accessible and relatable for young writers, with many teachers using it in their classrooms. The poems connect with students ages 8-12 who are learning to observe the world and express themselves through writing. Liked: - Clear examples of different poetry styles and techniques - Poems about everyday moments that children understand - Useful as a teaching tool for creative writing - Encourages kids to write their own poetry - Short length makes it approachable Disliked: - Some found the writing style too simple - Limited appeal beyond classroom use - Small number of poems included Ratings: Goodreads: 4.18/5 (276 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (47 ratings) "Perfect for showing students how to find poetry in ordinary moments," noted one teacher-reviewer. Another reader commented that "the poems give permission to write about small, personal experiences." Several reviewers mentioned using specific poems like "Squished Squirrel" and "Writer's Notebook" as writing prompts with students.

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech Chronicles a boy's journey into poetry through journal entries and verse, mirroring Fletcher's approach to finding poetry in daily life.

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson Tells the story of a young boy processing his world through poetry, featuring similar themes of self-discovery and observation.

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai Presents everyday moments and personal growth through verse, capturing the essence of finding poetry in life experiences.

Gone Fishing: A Novel in Verse by Tamera Will Wissinger Weaves together poems about family, nature, and childhood experiences using multiple poetic forms.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander Uses verse to tell a story about family and growing up, incorporating observations of daily life into powerful poetry.

🖋️ Ralph Fletcher has written over 50 books for children and teachers, making him a prolific voice in children's literature. 🌱 The Venus Flytrap, featured in one of the poems, can snap shut on its prey in less than half a second—one of the fastest movements in the plant kingdom. 📚 Free verse poetry, the style used in this collection, emerged in the late 19th century as poets broke away from traditional rhyme schemes and rigid structures. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Many of Fletcher's works, including this one, draw from his experiences growing up in a large family with eight siblings. ✏️ The book has become a popular teaching tool in elementary and middle school classrooms for introducing students to creative writing and poetry composition.