Fly, praying mantis, butterfly, ants, honey bee, love bug, daddy longlegs, spider, dragonfly, tick, ladybug and grasshopper each take a spread, the photo opposite a page of text that includes the poem and a paragraph of facts. Kirkus Reviews (March 15, 2012) said, “Mother and son collaborate once more ( Birds of a Feather, 2011, etc.), creating a group of poems and photographs that celebrate some well-known creepy crawlies. Two professional reviews praise this new collection to Yolen’s work. Poem subjects include flies, the praying mantis, butterflies, ants, honey bees, love bugs, spiders, and even tics! Many more insects and bugs are included in this great collection of poems that are geared toward children. Bug Off Creepy, Crawly Poems is a delightful book with fantastic photographs as illustrations. Jane Yolen has a new poetry book that will be published this spring. There are many online sources for reading or watching interviews and biographies about Jane Yolen including: Most of us are probably familiar with her work, but may not be aware that this author has written so many good works in a variety of formats and for so many audiences. Yolen has authored books, such as Owl Moon, that are in children’s collections nation-wide. This incredibly talented author is a positive model of how writing can be learned and honed by anyone who is willing to practice and put in the time. Her third child, her son Jason, has illustrated many books with his magnificent photography, including some of Jane’s books. She has obviously influenced her children as well - two of the three are also authors. Currently the number of books she has authored is more than 300.

But she could rhyme! Her experience in writing includes newspaper work, music lyrics, novels, and of course, poetry. She has been writing poetry since she was in preschool, although she recites her first poem stating that it was not good.

Jane Yolen is a poet and author of many great books. Graduate student Lisa Cockrell offers this interview (plus) with Jane. Our 5Q Poet Interview series for National Poetry Month concludes with this interview with Jane Yolen about her new book, Bug Off Creepy, Crawly Poems.

Bird Watch by Jane Yolen