This month’s episode is a warm and thoughtful conversation between Cory Lavender and his guest, the Toronto poet and playwright, Shannon Bramer. The focus of their discussion is Shannon’s latest book of poetry for children, Robot, Unicorn, Queen: poems for you and me (illustrated by Irene Luxbacher; Groundwood, 2023).
If you are interested in exploring poetry for children further, Shannon recommends Marshmallow Clouds: Two poets at play among figures of speech by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek, illustrated by Richard Jones, as well as books by Dennis Lee:
Dennis Lee is my absolute hero. Bubblegum Delicious is one of my favourites—Garbage Delight is another. I don’t think I would have had the courage to write the kinds of poems I wanted to write for children if it weren’t for him. He is by turns outrageously silly and then deadly sensitive and serious.
Guest Bio
Shannon Bramer writes poems and plays for human beings of all ages. Her two most recent books for children are Climbing Shadows (illustrated by Cindy Derby) and Robot, Unicorn, Queen: poems for you and me (illustrated by Irene Luxbacher). Both titles received the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry (2020 and 2023). Nightmare Jones is forthcoming from Groundwood Books in 2025. Shannon lives in Toronto with her family and two old cats. When she isn’t writing you can find Shannon making fancy soup, pickling cabbage or working as a Lunchroom Supervisor for the Toronto District School Board.
Coming in April
In Episode 13, you’ll hear Alice Burdick in conversation with Logan Kennedy and Berdene Owen, the creators of Lunenburg’s thriving poetry community, Spot of Poetry.
Episode 12: Shannon Bramer