Chris Grahamis much admired, respected, and appreciated in the blogging world. His indefatigable support of authors and bloggers is rivaled by few others.The Story Reading Ape‘s 4^th blog anniversary is April 4^th, and I can think of no better way to show my appreciation than by featuring him on my blog. Here’s to you, Mr. Ape! May you live long and prosper. I’m also putting energy out there for you to win the lottery 😊

Follow Chris’ blog HERE 

When did you start blogging and what prompted you to do so?  

I started blogging on April 4^th 2013 after reading authors’ pleas (on Goodreads) for promotional opportunities on blogs. 

What moved you to choose an ape as your gravatar and online presence? 

My Most favourite author was (and still is) Terry Pratchett, who once stated, “The anthropologists got it wrong…

What is your favourite poem? When someone asks me that it’s a bit like asking me which one of my children I love the most…it changes every day (joke!).

In case you missed it World Poetry Day was Tuesday. I know poetry is not for everyone, but I find a comfort and pleasure in it I could never get from a book. In times of sadness certain poems salve my soul or give me the words a broken heart cannot express. The same is true for Love, happiness, friendship and parenthood.

I have many poetry books but my go to book is Daisy Goodwin’s ‘Poems To Last A Lifetime’. It’s a compilation of poetry covering life from birth to adolescence, first love, marriage, everlasting love, divorce and death, beautifully illustrated and edited. There is a poem for everyone in there and many I’d never heard of.

So tonight I’d like…

The best poems by Keats

John Keats (1795-1821) died when he was just twenty-five years old, but he left behind a substantial body of work, considering he died so young. Nevertheless, a number of his poems immediately suggest themselves as being among the ‘best’ of his work. In this post, we’ve selected what we think are the top ten best Keats poems.

‘Ode to Psyche’. The earliest of Keats’s 1819 odes, ‘Ode to Psyche’ is about the Greek embodiment of the soul and mind, Psyche. Keats declares that he will be Psyche’s ‘priest’ and build a temple to her in his mind. Although this is probably the least-admired of Keats’s classic odes (though ‘Ode on Indolence’ would rival it), it’s a fine paean to poetic creativity and the power of the imagination.

I would like to reach out to kid lit authors and book bloggers to get quality books into the hands of deserving kids.

Throughout the month of March, I am collecting new children’s books to benefit children of incarcerated parents. Authors, I hope you will consider donating signed copies of your books. Book bloggers, please help us by sharing this information with your readers.

I am a children’s author, teacher, and mom who is passionate about children’s literacy and the power of children’s books. When I learned nearly 2/3 of children, living in poverty, DO NOT own books, I was moved to act. I founded the literacy initiative, Picture Book Pass it On, to raise awareness for literacy issues and get books to kids in need.

Three years ago, the Picture Book Pass it On initiative grew to include a month-long book drive called MARCHing Books to Kids.