Off the Shelf: What’s new at your library

April is National Poetry Month and whether you are a lifelong poetry lover or newcomer to the genre, this is a great time to read poetry aloud with a friend, write a poem or share your favorite verses with a new generation.

By North Olympic Library System • April 22, 2015 5:00 am
Celebrate National Poetry Month (April) with NOLS Poetry Walks.
Celebrate National Poetry Month (April) with NOLS Poetry Walks.

April is National Poetry Month and whether you are a lifelong poetry lover or newcomer to the genre, this is a great time to read poetry aloud with a friend, write a poem or share your favorite verses with a new generation.

Take a walk in the woods and appreciate poetry amid the stunning beauty of Olympic National Park. The second season of Poetry Walks, featuring inspiring poetry along four dazzling trails, began April 13 and will continue until June 14.

This year, poems will be placed on signs along the following trails in Olympic National Park: the Living Forest Trail, the Madison Creek Falls Trails, the Peabody Creek Trail and Spruce Railroad Trail.

All four trails can be accessed without paying fees and hikers and walkers can enjoy a variety of poems set against the beautiful landscapes.

Those who find themselves inspired to write a poem or take a photo while on a Poetry Walk are encouraged to share it on the library’s Facebook page or with friends on Twitter using #FindYourPark—the tag for a new National Park Service campaign to reintroduce Americans to the national parks.

Step into the library and check out a book or magazine. If you’re looking for poetry to read with young children, why not start with a multicultural take on some classic nursery rhymes? “Mamaì Goose: a Latino Nursery Treasury” and “Japanese Nursery Rhymes: Carp Streamers, Falling Rain and Other Traditional Favorites” — both offer time-tested favorites while encouraging bilingual education.

Speaking of bilingual education …

On Thursday, April 30, NOLS will celebrate El día de los niños/El día de los libros with fun activities for the entire family. Festivities will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the Forks Library, as well as at 6:30 p.m. at both the Port Angeles Library and Sequim Library.

All ages are welcome to attend the celebrations — featuring bilingual story times, music, tasty food, games and crafts — and all children in attendance will receive a free book!

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) is a celebration of children, families and reading that emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

And more

Looking for more poetry resources? Visit the library website at www.nols.org to search the catalog, or drop by the Sequim Library at 630 N. Sequim Ave. to browse the collection.