Every April, writers across the country celebrate National Poetry Month. But this event isn’t adults-only: There are plenty of ways for kids to get involved with all different styles of poetry. The New York Public Library system has created a series events to inspire and educate future poets all month.
Bronx
National Poetry Month Workshop
April 3, 10, 17, 24
4-4:30pm
Ages 4-12
Every Tuesday in April, kids can gather at Mosholu Library to hone their craft. Whether their writing skews serious or silly and they’re experienced or a novice, there’s space for anyone who’s interested in exploring the written word; attend every week and find friends just as interested in poetry as your child is. Moshulu Library, 285 East 205th Street, nypl.org
Window Poetry
April 4
3pm
Kids 5 and up can dress up the windows in the Teen Corner with their favorite quotes to celebrate National Poetry Month. Francis Martin Library, 2150 University Avenue, nypl.org
Flower Poetry
April 5
3pm
This event is part-poetry, part-crafts. After kids draw a flower, they will use the parts of their drawing–stem, leaves, and petals–to create their own poems about spring, perfect for April! Tremont Library, 1866 Washington Avenue, nypl.org
Rhyme Time Poetry Slam
April 10
4:30pm
Kids ages 3-12 can take some time to work on their writing, focusing primarily on haikus, couplets, and free verse poems. Writers will be able to share their work with their peers at the end (that’s where the slam comes in)! Woodstock Library, 761 East 160th Street, nypl.org
Fortune Cookie Poetry
April 11
3:30pm
You know those little predictions that come on fortune cookie papers? Kids will draw inspiration from those in their own writing and come up with short poems that they can tuck inside a cookie. Francis Martin Library, 2150 University Avenue, nypl.org
Poetic Decathalon!
April 17
3:30pm
This event, designed for kids ages 13-18, will let writers explore 10 different ways they can make their poetry stand out. They’ll be able to read the works of prolific poets and learn about imagery, voice, tone, and more to develop their own styles and hone their editing processes. Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center, 610 East 186th Street, nypl.org
The Persona Poem
April 18
3pm
In this workshop, writers 13-18 can learn about the construction of the persona poem and how to write in the first person with another speaker’s voice. By putting on a persona, often poets find they are far more able to reveal truths or secrets behind a sort of mask. Baychester Library, 2049 Asch Loop North, nypl.org
Slam Poetry Workshop
April 18
3:30pm
Teens can gather in this space to write, workshop, and share their slam poems in a judgement-free zone. Francis Martin Library, 2150 University Avenue, nypl.org
Poetry Slam
April 24
5pm
Attendees at this event can share a poem they love or one of their own (though plenty of poems could be both)! Sign up at the Teen Desk to perform. The slam is open to all. Bronx Library Center, 310 East Kingsbridge Road, nypl.org
Poetry Wall
April 25
3:30pm
Let imaginations run wild as kids write their favorite poems and poems of their own on the library’s outdoor chalk wall. Francis Martin Library, 2150 University Avenue, nypl.org
Manhattan
Haiku You
April 19
4pm
Everyone knows the structure of the classic Japanese poetry form of the haiku (cheat code: 5-7-5), and this class makes it personal. Teens can write haikus specifically about how they define themselves (what makes you “you”). Some poems may be featured in the Teen Zone. Washington Heights Library, 1000 St. Nicholas Avenue, nypl.org
Teen Book Club
April 24
3:45-5pm
For this meeting of the Teen Book Club, readers will discuss The Poet X, about a girl named Xiomara who pours out all of her feelings into her journals. After joining her school’s slam poetry club, she thinks about performing her work. Join the group for snacks and discussion. Columbus Library, 742 10th Avenue, nypl.org
Be sure to keep an eye out for other library events, and don’t forget to check out the goings-on at Poets House (a reading/discussion and Poem in Your Pocket Day) and throughout the city too!
