Announcing! The STUCK BUMBLEBEE POETRY AND ILLUSTRATION Challenge!

The challenge is hosted by children’s book authors, Joyce P. Uglow and Cynthia Mackey and is for kidlit poets, artists, student poets, illustrators... YOU! “Every day in every way, play.” H. Russell

Welcome!

Authors Joyce P. Uglow and Cynthia Mackey

Poetry, picture books, and artwork have the capacity to express heart and reveal emotions. Cindy and I invite you to carve out small doses of time to ponder one-word prompts taken directly from our picture books. Then if you’re so inclined, write and/or draw. We’re celebrating our books’ book birthdays with – you guessed it – poetry and art.

Here’s a quick visual look at the challenge:

What are the dates of the challenge?

March 14 - April 17, 2025

We encourage you to participate in the challenge for 30 days (or 35 days if you go the bonus week). But you can use the prompts any time. The one-word prompts will help to usher in your POETRY MONTH celebrations in April and can offer ideas for writing poetry and drawing throughout the year. We’d love to read and see your creativity. Share if you’d like. When ready, post a photo or image along with your response to the one-word prompts. #StuckBumblebee #PoetryChallenge #Poetry

Receive one-word prompts beginning March 14, 2025 on Joyce’s Instagram and BlueSky and on Cindy’s Instagram and Cindy’s BlueSky. Use the prompts to spark your poetry and illustration creativity. Each word comes directly from the text of our lyrical picture books.

IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE by Cynthia Mackey, illustrated by Vicki Zhang & STUCK! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits by Joyce P. Uglow, illustrated by Valerya Milovanova

Ideas for using the STUCK BUMBLEBEE POETRY AND ILLUSTRATION CHALLENGE

• Take up the challenge to create new poems.

• Use the one-word prompts with students.

• Do read alouds of the picture books IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE and STUCK! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits. Listen for the words in the challenge.

• Take up the challenge to create an illustration inspired by each prompt.

• Post your poems or illustrations in the comment section on Instagram and/or Bluesky.

• Post your responses using the hashtags #StuckBumblebee #PoetryChallenge #Poetry

• Save your poetry collection and illustrations for your enjoyment. (You are not required to share.)

• Create a poetry pinboard in your class.

• Put on a poeTrEA event and invite guests for an open mic poetry reading and art show.

• Assemble a Poetry Corner with kidlit poetry anthologies. Here is a sampling of titles:

Poetry Anthologies with poems by Joyce P. Uglow

Pomelo Books: WHAT IS A FAMILY?, WHAT IS HOPE?, CLARA’S KOOKY COMPENDIUM OF THIMBLETHOUGHTS AND WONDERFUZZ

Support Learning through Creativity

• learn about themselves, others, and the world around them

• be open to trying new ways of thinking

• see the world with a fresh lens

• be innovative

• learn from mistakes

• express one’s ideas with confidence

• create collaboratively with peers

Check out these Books, Poets, Poetry Resources

English Language Arts Standards

WRITING

Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

LANGUAGE

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

Identify real-life connections between words and their use  

Arts Standards

CREATING

Anchor Standard #1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. 

Anchor Standard #2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

Anchor Standard #3: Refine and complete artistic work. 

PRESENTING

Anchor Standard #4: Select, analyze and interpret artistic work for presentation.

Anchor Standard #5: Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.

Anchor Standard #6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. 

RESPONDING

Anchor Standard #7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.

Anchor Standard #8: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.

Anchor Standard #9: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.

CONNECTING

Anchor Standard #10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.

Anchor Standard #11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.

Find wonder in kidlit.