# Sharing the Joy of Poetry
From a wild and wacky journey through the world of poetry with playful monsters and aliens to an inspirational, rhyming children's book about fireflies working together to bring light to the sun: local author Lena Shaqareq's Stanza Extravaganza and How the Sun Got its Light are two great ways to share the joy of poetry with your children.
Lena Shaqareq is also the author of Versed in English: Using Poetry to Tackle Common ESL Issues. She’s an educator at heart having working in preschool, elementary and higher education settings. Her expertise and the focus of her business is in English as a Second Language.
She also told us that she loves working with people from around the world and learning about new cultures and languages.
Junior Lit Chat Author Talk
Meet Lena from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at Pablo Creek Regional Library. Note: A limited number of copies of How the Sun Got It's Light will be given away to school-age children in attendance, (first-come, first-served). An audience Q&A and book signing will follow.
Register for the FREE author talk!
Check out Lena’s works from the library!
Did you know that all of our Lit Chat authors' books count toward your Jax Stacks Reading Challenge completion? Find out what other authors we're hosting this year and join in the fun!
Lena Recommends:
Are you an aspiring children's book author or poet? Lena has some advice for those looking to spark their creativity: "As an author and entrepreneur, I often work from home, but I find that changing my surroundings fuels my creativity and productivity. So, I enjoy working out of different local coffee shops around town. One of my favorite spots in Jacksonville is The Greenhouse Bar in Riverside. This cozy coffee shop is a haven of inspiration, filled with various plants and a vibrant atmosphere. Their unique brews and welcoming and relaxing vibe make it the perfect place to get work done while enjoying a refreshing change of scenery."
A quick change of scenery or taking a short break can be a good thing for everyone, regardless of their age! What tips and tricks do you have for getting into a creative mindset?
Books We Recommend:
- What Do You Do with an Idea?, by Kobi Yamada
- The Most Magnificent Thing, by Ashley Spires
- Ancient Night, by David Daniel Alvarez Hernandez
- Woven of the World, by Katey Howes
- Hey Wall, by Susan Verde
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Reading & Hands-On Activities (for ages 5-12)
Is your child into Science, Technology, Engineering or Math? Explore STEM-based books and hands-on activities with our Junior Scientists program (for ages 5-8) at the Library! If they're more creatively inclined, bring them to Junior Artists (ages 5-8) so they can express themselves! For the best of both worlds, (STEM + Art), check out S.T.E.A.M. & Stories, (for ages 5-12). These programs are an opportunity for your child to engage with their peers, enjoy a good story, and participate in themed games or crafts.
Find other popular homeschool and afterschool programs like Discover Lab, Analog Gamers Hangout, and more on our events calendar!
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