Countdown to Haiku Hype Kids Poetry Contest: Meet Our Third Guest-Judge!

I am so happy to have this wonderful lady join the team! Poetry is in her blood and I'm grateful that she'll be helping me with the contest.

Let's meet my third guest-judge, children's author and poet, Jennifer Cole Judd!

Before we get to Jennifer's interview and learn what she's up to and what advice she has for the young poets, I'd like to remind you that the contest is not open yet. You can certainly have your students start writing their haiku, but send us your entries when the contest opens on Monday, 4/09/18 and no later than 4/27/18.
Here's Jennifer Cole Judd!

1. Are you excited about being a judge on the Haiku Hype Poetry Contest for Kids? How do you feel about helping kids get inspired to write?

Yes, absolutely! I love writing poetry, and haiku are so much fun to write. I especially love motivating kids to find their inner poets. I have done several poetry workshops and presentations at schools to inspire a love of poetry in kids; poetry packs a punch in a small space, so it's a great way for kids to express themselves and share emotions, ideas, and messages in a powerful way.

2. What advice can you give the students, teachers and librarians who might consider participating in the contest?

Read lots of haiku! Look around in your environment for inspiration. Lots of haiku are about nature, but you can write funny, thoughtful, or emotional poems on just about any topic. Think of things you love--sports, animals, a best friend, recess, a snow day, funny TV shows, teasing a sibling, ice cream. . . the sky is the limit. And whatever the topic, always think outside the box--be creative!

3. Please tell us a bit about yourself and your journey as a writer. What are you currently working on and what are you looking forward to? What are your latest news that you can share with our readers?

I wrote poems as a young child, and have been writing children's poems for many years for magazines such as Cricket, Spider,  and Highlights High Five. I have two books published; one is an anthology of spooky poems, one is a picture book. I am currently working on several picture book manuscripts, two of which are out on submission right now. My picture book, Circus Train made Amazon's Holiday Toy List for 2017, which was exciting, and I am looking forward to having some poems published this year in Cricket magazine.

Thank you, Jennifer. I can't wait for the contest to open so we can start reading all the haikus the kids will write. Yay!

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Jennifer Cole Judd has dreamed of joining the circus, but for now she’s content with writing children’s poetry and books and perfecting her juggling act with her children and little dog. Her poems and stories have appeared in several children’s magazines. She coedited and contributed to An Eyeball in My Garden, a spooky middle-grade poetry anthology featuring fourteen children’s poets. Circus Train is her first picture book. Jennifer currently resides in Texas. Learn more: www.jennifercolejudd.com

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​As the circus train rolls into town, excited children and their parents get in line for their chance to experience the Big Top. Clowns paint faces and people scurry to their seats. Then the show begins, wrapping readers in all the wonders of the circus. Dancing elephants, flipping trapeze artists, and pie-throwing clowns captivate both young and old. Jennifer Cole Judd’s text is a treat for the ears with its simple, evocative rhymes, while Melanie Matthews’s delightful illustrations capture the fun and spectacle of the circus. Ages 2-6.

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