My hope is that Dare to Dream…Change the World can spark a paradigm shift from resigned to inspired!
My inspiration for DARE TO DREAM...CHANGE THE WORLD came during a car ride, listening to NPR cover the uprising of the Egyptian people against their oppressive government. I have been to Egypt twice and remember the extreme riches, and poverty, as well as needing to be escorted by gunman with assault rifles to keep safe. I was overcome by the courage of the Egyptian people and amazed by the role of social networking to bring their dreams and actions instantly to the rest of the world. To me, the tweets were like poetry, capturing the essence of the people's hopes, fears, strength and determination. The title of this collection sprung into being during that car ride as well as the dream of a collection of poems by the best children's poets living today to share the spirit of dreaming + action = change and that each one of us can make the world just a little better.
Dare to Dream … Change the World pairs biographical and inspirational poems focusing on people who invented something, stood for something, said something, who defied the naysayers and not only changed their own lives, but the lives of people all over the world.
The poets included were chosen not only for their talent, but because they too have informed, inspired and engaged young people throughout their careers with both their actions and their words.
I was thrilled to work with 30 top American Children’s poets including:
J. Patrick Lewis- the current U.S. Children's Poet Laureate (2011-2013)
Jane Yolen- often called "the Hans Christian Andersen of America," and the author of over 300 books
Lee Bennett Hopkins- Lee holds the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for most prolific anthologist of poetry for children - 113 books and counting!
Ellen Hopkins-the bestselling living poet in America”, is the author of twenty nonfiction children’s books and eight NY Times bestselling YA novels in verse.
Denise Lewis Patrick- who has written over 30 books for children, including last Fall’s blockbuster American Girl Cécile books.
Bruce Coville- the author of 100 books for children including the international bestseller My Teacher Is an Alien, and the wildly popular “Unicorn Chronicles” series.
Lisa Wheeler-one of the most celebrated picture book authors writing today with over 30 books, all in perfect rhyme.
David Harrison, a poet who has published over eighty titles, and like all of the poets included in the anthology, has earned dozens of prestigious honors.
Rose Horowitz – a poet and Pulitzer-nominated journalist.
Alan Katz –a six-time Emmy-nominated TV writer plus funny kid poet with books like Take Me Out Of the Bathtub.
Joyce Sidman whose DARK EMPROR and Other Poems of the Night was the first poetry book ever to win a Newberry Honor and her newest SWIRL BY SWIRL has topped every best books list this year.
Other contributing include: Printz Honor Winner Stephanie Hemphill, Coretta Scott King New Talent Award winner Hope Anita Smith, celebrated poets of many, many books, and awards: Marilyn Singer, Janet Wong, Alice Schertle, Kelly Fineman, Julia Durango, Elaine Magliaro, Tracie Van Zimmer, Carol Tanzman, Joan Bransfield Graham, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Laura Purdie Salas, Curtis Crisler, Hope Vestergaard, Jacqui Robbins, Joyce Lee Wong, and Georgia Heard.