Children's Poetry in the The Poetry Zone

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The Jolly Jingles of
Linda Knaus

Boo. Pictured here with Linda Knaus.

Hi, Linda. Welcome to the Poetry Zone Interview. First question - When did you start writing?

My first poem was written for a class project when I was twelve years old. After that, I wrote many more for my own enjoyment. I even wrote one about my best friend's dog who died. She and I are still friends to this day, and she still has the poem.

Why do you write poetry?

My mother read me many rhyming books when I was just a toddler. I used to carry one book in particular around with me and recite favorite rhymes from memory. Today, I am still inspired by good poetry by other authors.

Do you write anything other than poetry?

I just completed a middle grade fiction
novel called The Craft of the Wise.

Do you write for adults?

I write poetry for all ages, but I mainly write for children.

What books have you written?

Mrs. Pringle's Jolly Jingles, published by Hands Up Books. This long awaited collection features 74 of my best pieces and is illustrated by me and my son, Kevin. My family name is Pringle and Jolly Jingles was that first favorite book of rhymes - hence the title. I also co-authored a book with Kenn Nesbitt called Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney.

Mrs Pringle

Welcome, I am Mrs Pringle.
I've been asked to teach this class.
If you're tardy or you're absent,
you will need a written pass.

If you need to use the restroom,
raise your hand, but don't make noise.
I will point you down the hallway
to the rooms marked "Girls" and "Boys".

If you're talking or unruly,
I will catch you, there's no doubt.
If you're chewing gum or candy,
you'll be made to spit it out.

If you're late with class assignments,
book reports and homework too,
I will send a note to parents
asking them to punish you.

If you ever think of cheating,
you will have to live in fear.
My name is Mrs Pringle.
Welcome to a fun-filled year.

How long does it take to write a poem?

It depends entirely upon the poem and the flexibility of the meter pattern. Some pieces almost write themselves, while others remind me of a Rubik's Cube - the longer you work at it, the more frustrated you get. The average poem takes me a couple of hours to complete as a draft and a couple more hours to polish and perfect.

How long does it take to write a book?

Picture book manuscripts usually take me about a day or two. My novel took close to a year to complete.

What is the most unusual event that has inspired you to write a poem?

A few years back my son had a very stubborn wart on his toe. We took many trips to the doctor who tried just about everything to rid him of it. I finally joked with the doctor that after a few more treatments I feared my son would disappear and the stubborn wart would remain. That was the seed from which Willie's Wart grew - a favourite poem of mine that I wrote with Kenn Nesbitt.

How do you write your poems?

I write best at my computer but if I have to I can write on a notebook and often do so in the car (not while I'm driving, of course). Or if I wake up at night with an idea in my head I can write it down on the notebook I keep in my nightstand. I have actually written a couple of short poems in a sleep state. Unfortunately, they don't look nearly as good after I've had my first cup of coffee.

Do you have a special time to write?

I don't schedule time to write, but if a good idea strikes then everything else must wait. One weekend in 1996 I wrote 24 poems in 48 hours. One of them was my very popular, Now I Lay Me Down to Rest, which I remember scribbling down frantically on a note pad at 3am because back then I couldn't afford a computer.

Are you writing anything at the moment?

I just completed four more children's book manuscripts - There's a Mouse in the House, Bella's Umbrella, Daisy Moppet and Mitchell Twitchell

Queen Caroline

Queen, Queen Caroline
Washed her hair in turpentine,
to make it shine
and make it stronger.
Now she has her hair no longer.

Do you visit schools?

I almost spoke at my son's school once, but he was too embarrassed to have his mother show up in class.

Did you enjoy school?

I don't want to be a bad role model for children, but I honestly hated it. I experienced a lot of bullying, which is very hard to get over. My heart goes out to any child who endures it and many do, as it is a growing problem in schools today. Not coincidentally, it is the central theme of my novel, The Craft of the Wise.

Who is your favourite poet? And what are your favourite poems?

My favorite poet is Jack Prelutsky and two of my favorite poems are his - The Ghost who Lost his Boo and Herbert Glerbet

Of all the poems you've written, which is your favorite?

A very short mother goose rewrite called There was a Young Woman.

There Was a Young Woman

There was a young woman
Who lived in a shoe
for the man that she'd married
was not well to do.
The woman eventually filed a suit.
She got the shoe
and he got the boot.

Have you any poems coming out in the near future?

I will always have new poems coming out on my website. And I've also been lucky enough to have pieces chosen for nearly all of Meadowbrook's upcoming anthologies. They publish lots of poetry in America.

Have you any pets?

We have four cats - Leo is my step-daughter's cat, Oskar is my husband's, Oliver is my son's and Boo is mine. Boo and I are almost inseparable, which is the reason he insisted upon appearing with me in the photo.

How do you spend your spare time?

I stay abreast of current events and politics. I love books and would rather read than watch television. I typically choose books that are informative rather than strictly entertaining. I am also a very serious student of Icelandic and study anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours per day.

Do you travel around very much?

Because my husband is Icelandic, I've had the opportunity to visit Iceland twice. It is a beautiful country with a fascinating language, which I am determined to master someday.

What did you do before becoming a poet?

I had a few switchboard and administrative assistant positions. Most recently I spent eight years in the sales and Marketing department of a world-renowned airplane manufacturer - Cirrus Design. It was there that I met my husband, who is an aerospace engineer, eleven years ago. Now I am a full-time homemaker and part-time author.

Have you any plans for the future?

We'd like to do more extensive traveling some day. For now, we are both concentrating on our creative aspirations.

What could schools do to improve the way poetry is taught?

I don't know how poetry is taught, so I don't think I'm qualified to judge. I do think that schools are putting more emphasis on poetry than there was in my day, which is a good start. I think teachers should expose children to as many different styles of poetry as possible and should put more value on a well-written piece that is not funny than a poorly written piece that is.

What advice would you give to young poets?

There are many good books on the subject of verse writing. Learn the patterns and terminology and read the works of others for inspiration. I still do this, and I think it's a great motivator. Most importantly, focus on meter. It's not enough for a poem to rhyme, it must also dance.

Thanks Linda.

To find out more and read more of Linda's poems visit her website -
www.lindaknaus.com

Back to the top, Boo!

roger