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Poetry Friday: Listen to the Mustn’ts

February 9, 2018 Jane the Raincity Librarian 22 comments

poetry-1

It’s been a very exciting week around these parts – my picture book Wild One was selected by the Ontario Library Association as one of their Best Bets of 2017! It’s quite a thrill to be recognized by fellow librarians, and there’s some great books on the list! You can find the entire list here.

I’ve recently been reminded of a classic poem by the legendary Shel Silverstein that perfectly sums up my experiences in the past few months. I honestly never in a million years thought that I would ever publish anything, not to mention something that other people would connect with. I loved writing as a girl, but as someone who’s intensely critical of their own work, and whose self confidence could use a bit of work, I never, ever thought that my childhood dream of having a book in the library would ever come true.

Well, my friends, if you’ve ever felt the same way, these words are for you.

Listen To The MUSTN’TS

By Shel Silverstein

Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,
Listen to the DON’TS
Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WONT’S
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me-
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/listen-to-the-mustnts-by-shel-silverstein

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About Jane

About Jane

Jane is a tea-drinking Canadian picture book author with a rather sizeable cardigan collection.

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22 comments

  1. Tabatha says:
    February 9, 2018 at 11:31 am

    Congratulations!! I’m happy for you!
    Wise words from Shel Silverstein!

    Reply
  2. lindabaie says:
    February 9, 2018 at 4:27 pm

    Perfect from deal Shel, & for you, too, Jane. I’m so happy for you and congrats on the book making that list! That.Is.Fabulous!

    Reply
  3. Brenda Davis Harsham says:
    February 9, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    Yay for you!! So happy for you. I love that poem.

    Reply
  4. books4learning says:
    February 9, 2018 at 8:35 pm

    I love Shel Silverstein. I don’t think I have ever read that one before today. I need it today–doubting myself. Congrats on your book and recognition.

    Reply
  5. jama says:
    February 9, 2018 at 9:54 pm

    Yay for Wild One! Congratulations, Jane!!

    Reply
  6. Linda Mitchell says:
    February 10, 2018 at 1:52 am

    I’ve really enjoyed seeing the celebration of Wild One on twitter. I’m so thrilled for you and your readers. Enjoy every moment…and keep writing, kid!

    Reply
  7. Kay McGriff (@kaymcgriff) says:
    February 10, 2018 at 2:19 am

    Congratulations to you and to Wild One! That is fantastic! And I’ve always loved that Silverstein poem.

    Reply
  8. mbhmaine says:
    February 10, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    Congratulations, Jane! What wonderful accomplishments–your book and the recognition! I’m so glad you tuned into possibility instead of to the “mustnt’s.”

    Reply
  9. maryleehahn says:
    February 10, 2018 at 1:06 pm

    Amen…and CONGRATS!!

    Reply
    1. Jane the Raincity Librarian says:
      February 15, 2018 at 9:23 pm

      Thank you!! It can be so hard not to listen to all the naysayers, especially when those voices of negativity are in our own head!! But in the end, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? 🙂

      Reply
  10. Diane Mayr says:
    February 10, 2018 at 4:57 pm

    From one librarian to another, I’m so happy for you, Jane! I wrote up an order card for Wild One–I hope B & T carries it!

    Reply
    1. Jane the Raincity Librarian says:
      February 15, 2018 at 9:23 pm

      Well, I know Amazon and Barnes and Noble will in the US of A, and hopefully others, too!! Thank you so much for the support – it’s so wonderful to connect with other librarians, honestly, that’s the most exciting feeling!!

      Reply
  11. Robyn Hood Black says:
    February 11, 2018 at 3:03 am

    CONGRATULATIONS, Jane! Glad you didn’t listen too closely to those Musn’ts…..:0)

    Reply
    1. Jane the Raincity Librarian says:
      February 15, 2018 at 9:20 pm

      Thank you! It isn’t always easy to block out the negativity, but it can make all the difference in the world!

      Reply
  12. Heidi Mordhorst says:
    February 11, 2018 at 9:51 pm

    Tremendous congratulations to you, Jane. You’re a real wild one, it turns out!

    Reply
    1. Jane the Raincity Librarian says:
      February 15, 2018 at 9:20 pm

      Thank you! Yup, according to my mum, I definitely channelled more than a bit of my youthful self into that character! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Sally Murphy (@sallymurphy) says:
    February 12, 2018 at 12:56 am

    Congratulations, Jane. I’m glad you listened to Shel!

    Reply
    1. Jane the Raincity Librarian says:
      February 15, 2018 at 9:19 pm

      Thank you, so am I! I hope we all do!

      Reply
  14. Michelle Heidenrich Barnes says:
    February 12, 2018 at 3:21 am

    Congratulations, Jane! Well done on showing those mustn’ts a thing or two about the power of dreams. 😀

    Reply
    1. Jane the Raincity Librarian says:
      February 15, 2018 at 9:19 pm

      Exactly!! I love the simplicity of this poem – not a single wasted word, for maximum impact.

      Reply
  15. Sarah Grace Tuttle says:
    February 12, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    Congratulations! Also, this is a wonderful poem and reminder. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Jane the Raincity Librarian says:
      February 15, 2018 at 9:18 pm

      Thank you!! It’s definitely a much-needed reminder for all of us!

      Reply

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Jane Whittingham


Welcome to my blog! Here you’ll find musings about writing, book reviews, program ideas and other bits and bobs from my life as a book-loving author-librarian-mum.

  • Home
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    • BUNNY LOVES BEANS
    • BEAR HAS A BELLY
    • ANIMALS MOVE
    • ONLY THE TREES KNOW
    • WILD ABOUT CAMPING
    • QUEENIE QUAIL CAN’T KEEP UP
    • A GOOD DAY FOR DUCKS
    • WILD ONE
  • About Jane

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