Father Goose - Chronology
1946 Born, August 25, 1946, Bayside, Queens, New York
1950 Father wins a New York lottery; family moves to Fort Myers, Florida
1952 Attends Tice Elementary School, Fort Myers, FL, 1st through 5th grades
1955 Age 9, receives first typewriter, a used 1926 Underwood; writes the “Talking Freckle Story”
1956 Age 10, appears on local TV show and recites the “Talking Freckle Story”
Performs comedy routine and pantomime impersonations of Elvis Presley
Serves as ball boy for the Pittsburg Pirates in late 1950s early 1960s during spring
training camp at Terry Park in Fort Myers, Florida
1957 Attends Orange River Elementary School, Fort Myers, Florida, 6th grade
Elected Captain of School Safety Patrol
Appears in school plays
1958 Attends Fort Myers Junior High, 7th grade
Elected King of Junior Cotillion
1959 Attends Lee Junior High, 8th & 9th grades
Studies Latin, plays on school baseball and football teams
1962 Attends Fort Myers Senior High
Continues Latin studies
Begins keeping a daily journal; writes "Evol" poem ("Love" spelled backwards)
1963 Plays on high school baseball team, Babe Ruth All-Stars, American Legion, and traveling teams
1964 Graduates from Fort Myers Senior High, Fort Myers, Florida
Spring training camp try-out with the Pittsburgh Pirates; "I'm still waiting to hear from them."
Attends Edison College (Florida Southwestern State College), 1964-1966
1965 Performs as Hortensio in “The Taming of the Shrew,” Edison College
Elected chapter president of Circle K International, Edison College
Studies creative writing with poet Allen Neff, Edison College
1966 Age 20
Attends Florida Atlantic University; studies creative writing with poet Thomas Burnett Swann
Elected chapter vice president of Circle K International, Florida Atlantic University
1967 Graduates from Florida Atlantic University, B.A. in English
Marries Nancy Minnicks
Begins teaching English and creative writing at Cypress Lake High School, Fort Myers, Florida
Begins summer grad-school program at Florida Atlantic and courses at Univ of South Florida
1968 Co-founds the Gulf Coast Writers Guild
Begins acting in dinner theatre and little theatre with Edison Players, Fort Myers, Florida
1969 Daughter, Julie Ann Ghigna, born
Joins local chapter of Jaycees
1970 Receives MEd, English education, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
Continues teaching English and creative writing at Cypress Lake High, Fort Myers, Florida
Performs as Edmund in “Long Day’s Journey into Night,” Edison Players, Fort Myers, Florida
Directs “Zoo Story” at Edison College
Writes creative writing curriculum for Lee County Public Schools, Fort Myers, Florida
Joins local chapter of United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, Fort Myers, Florida
1971 EZRA: ONE-ACT PLAY published by Janus Magazine
Performs in three plays with Edison Players; “David and Lisa,” “Black Comedy," "Stalag 17"
1972 Receives Lee County Florida Star Teacher Award
Performs in “The Girl in the Freudian Slip,” Actors Repertory Theatre, Fort Myers, Florida
Performs in 60 stage shows at the Asolo State Theatre, Sarasota, Florida;
"War and Peace" 24 performances; "Devil's Disciples" 12 performances;
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" 24 performances; with actors
Tom Hulce who later starred in movies "Amadeus" and "Animal House" and with
Polly Holliday who later played the role of Flo in TV show"Alice"
1973 PLASTIC TEARS published by Dorrance
Teaches creative writing at Edison College, Fort Myers, Florida
Performs as Tom in “The Glass Menagerie,” Edison Players, Fort Myers, Florida
Divorces Nancy Minnicks
Resigns from teaching
Enrolls in doctoral program in literature and creative writing at Florida State University
1974 Serves as Poetry Editor of English Journal for the National Council of Teachers of English
Meets track star Marty Ligouri and runs training laps at Florida State University
Begins correspondence with poet Anne Sexton
"The Alabama Wiregrassers" published in Harper's Magazine
Receives grant from the NEA to begin Alabama Poet-in-the-Schools Program
Appointed Master Poet of Alabama by the Alabama State Arts Council
Serves as Poet-in-Residence, Alabama School of Fine Arts at Birmingham- Southern College
Begins reading and lecturing at colleges, conferences, libraries in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida
Delivers keynote at the Alabama State Council of Teachers of English, Birmingham, Alabama
Serves as poet-in-residence, Michigan Artrain, from Birmingham to Mobile, Alabama
Becomes lifelong friend of author Anne George; correspondence in archive at de Grummond
Meets Truman Capote, John Beecher, Galway Kinnell
1975 Marries Debra Lee Holmes
STABLES: THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS, chapbook published by Creekwood Press
Begins serving as director of Creekwood Colony of the Arts, Union Springs, Alabama
Poetry readings at colleges, conferences, and libraries throughout the South
1976 Age 30
Poetry reading, Clarion State College, Clarion, Pennsylvania
Poetry reading, Livingston University, Livingston, Alabama
Appointed Chair of Creative Writing Department at the Alabama School of Fine Arts
Serves two-week poet-in-residency at Homewood High School, Homewood, Alabama
Writes, directs, performs in CABBAGES AND KINGS educational television series
45 fifteen-minute episodes
Joins Birmingham Sky Diving Club and writes "Divers" after first jump
Wife wins Mrs. Alabama and top-ten in Mrs. America Pageant in Las Vegas
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries throughout the South
Buys home in Homewood, Alabama
1977 COCKROACH, ONE ACT PLAY, published by Contemporary Drama Service
Writes libretto for ballet “An Evening Reverie” choreographed by Thor Sutowski performed
at the Alabama School of Fine Arts
Poem "Divers" receives 1st Place, Writer's Digest National Poetry Contest
Receives honorary lifetime membership in Sigma Tau Delta National English Honor Society
with poets Robert Bly, Gwendolyn Brooks, and James Dickey
Receives Mary Roberts Rinehart Foundation Fellowship
Travels to London, England with his students from the Alabama School of Fine Arts ;
visits York, Bournemouth, Stratford-upon-Avon and Anne Hathaway’s cottage
Poetry Reading at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Atlanta, Georgia with Michael Mott,
Miller Williams, and Adrienne Rich; Rich
Delivers keynote at National Writers Club, Denver, Colorado
Reads and lectures on haiku at Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets authors Clive Clussler, William Bradford Huie and H.E. Francis
1978 DIVERS AND OTHER POEMS, chapbook published by Creekwood Press
Poetry reading, Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi
Poetry reading, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Poetry reading, Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska
Poetry reading, Samford University, Homewood, Alabama
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets James Baldwin, Eudora Welty, Robert Hayden, Michael Harper, and Margaret Walker
1979 CIRCUS POEMS, chapbook published by Creekwood Press
Receives 1st Prize Award, Alabama State Poetry Society
Teaches poetry writing workshop at Samford University
Poetry Reading with Nikki Giovanni, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Campus
Poetry reading, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
Poetry reading, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi
Poetry reading, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Athens State University, Athens, Alabama
Poetry reading, National Writers Conference, Denver, Colorado
Poetry reading, National Federation of Poetry Societies Conference
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets poets John Ciardi and Maxine Kuman
1980 Poetry Reading, Sanibel Writers Conference, Sanibel Island, Florida
Poetry Reading, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
Poetry Reading, Polk County Teachers, Orlando, Florida
Poetry Reading, Broward Community College, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Poetry Reading, Edison Communiy College, Fort Myers, Florida
Poetry Reading, Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Poetry Reading, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez, Mississippi
Poetry Reading, Broward Communiy College, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Poetry Reading, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Begins serving as poetry critic for Writer's Digest Literary Criticism Service
Begins serving as Council Member for the National Writers Association
Travels to New York with family to visit grandparents
Meets novelist John Gardner and British author PD James
1981 Poetry Reading, Hines Community College, Raymond, Mississippi
Poetry Reading, Meridian Community College, Meridian, Mississippi
Poetry Reading, Montgomery Museum of Art, Montgomery, Alabama
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Serves as faculty sponsor of the Chess Club at the Alabama School of Fine Arts
1982 Attends grandfather's funeral in New York, New York
Visits Walt Whitman's home and birthplace, Huntington, New York
Writes tribute poem for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant published in Birmingham Post-Herald
Poetry Reading, Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Visits with James Baldwin at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Birmingham, Alabama
1983 Poetry Reading with James Dickey, Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, Alabama
James Dickey visits the Ghigna home
James Dickey and Ghigna begin correspondence; correspondence in archive at de Grummond
Collection, University of Southern Mississippi
Book signing, City Lights Bookstore, San Francisco, California
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Attends Doug Sanders Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament, Houston, Texas
Meets Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Willie Nelson, Doug Sanders, Alan Shephard
1984 Poems begin appearing in Rolling Stone Magazine
Poetry reading, Alabama State Poetry Society, Montgomery, Alabama
Poetry reading, Athens State University, Athens, Alabama
Poetry reading, Samford University, Homewood, AL
Awarded six-week residency, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
Poetry reading, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
Poetry reading, NEA Grant, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Louisville, Kentucky
Receives Rockefeller Brothers Grant and residency at M.I.T. Endicott House
Poetry reading accompanied by Ellis Marsalis on piano, M.I.T. Endicott House
Poetry reading with James Dickey, Athens State College, Athens, Alabama
Poetry reading, Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa
Interviewed by NASA in Seattle, Washington for Poet in Space Project on the Challenger Space
Shuttle; President Ronald Reagan changed the position to Teacher in Space Project
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Begins writing poems for children for Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, Children’s Digest,
Children’s Playmate, and Child Life magazines
Meets author John Updike
1985 Begins teaching creative writing at Samford University
Poetry Reading, David Lipscomb College, Nashville, Tennessee
Poetry Reading, Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama
Conducts author/editor workshop with Christine French Clark Cully, Editor at Highlights
Speaks at schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Appears as an extra in movie “Invasion U.S.A.” starring Chuck Norris
1986 Age 40
Takes year-long writing sabbatical from teaching
Poetry reading, Alabama Arts Council, Montgomery, Alabama
Serves on advisory panel for the National Endowment for the Arts
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Begins correspondence with light verse poet Richard Armour
1987 Poetry reading, Mid-South Poetry Festival, Memphis, Tennessee
Poetry reading, Alabama Arts Council, Montgomery, Alabama
Continues speaking at colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets poet Rita Dove
1988 Son, Chip Ghigna, born
Poetry reading, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee
Poetry reading, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Athens State University, Athens, Alabama
Receives Birmingham Festival of Arts Silver Bowl Award for Literature
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Russian Poet Omor Sultanov visits the Ghigna home at Christmas, Homewood, Alabama
1989 Father dies of cancer (age 70)
FATHER SONGS, chapbook published as tribute to his father
RETURNING TO EARTH published by Livingston Univ Press, cover blurb by James Dickey
Poetry reading, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama
Becomes Correspondent for Writer's Digest
Writes poetry review column for The Clarion Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi, first review, “Ants
on the Melon” by Virginia Hamilton Adair (Random House)
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets author Madeleine L’Engle
1990 "Moon Pie Song" and "Day I Spent the Night in the Shelby Co. Jail" recorded
Tribute to Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant published as limited edition print; featured at Bryant
Museum and at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
"An Alabama August" published in CREATIVE WRITERS' HANDBOOK (Printice Hall)
Poetry reading, Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Athens State University, Athens, Alabama
Poetry reading, Livingston University, Livingston, Alabama
Poetry reading, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama
Poetry reading, Alabama State Poetry Society, Arlington Home, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Macon County Art Council, Franklin, North Carolina
5-City Alabama Library Tour, Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, Decatur, Guntersville
Meets Alabama storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham and becomes lifelong friend
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets country singer Jett Williams
1991 Poetry reading, Athens State University, Athens, Alabama
Poetry reading, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama
The Moon Pie Song”(jingle) featured on ABC-TV's "Good Morning America"
Two of his students win 1st Place Poetry & Fiction Awards in Scholastic Writing Contest
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
1992 Signs four-book contract with the Walt Disney Company, Hyperion Books, New York
GOOD CATS/BAD CATS and GOOD DOGS/BAD DOGS published by Disney-Hyperion
WINGS OF FIRE published by Druid Press
Book signing and reception, Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama
Speaks at American Booksellers Conference, Anaheim, California
Speaks at University of Alabama at Birmingham Young Authors’ Conference
Poetry reading, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets children’s author Mem Fox
1993 Retires from teaching to write full-time
Begins writing daily syndicated light verse column for Tribune Media Services, Chicago, IL
Begins writing light verse for The Saturday Evening Post and other magazines and newspapers
Poetry reading, Southern Festival of Books, Nashville, Tennessee
Poetry reading, Utah State Poetry Society, Salt Lake City, Utah
Poetry reading, Florida State Poetry Society, Orlando, Florida
5-City Alabama Library Tour, in Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, Decatur, Guntersville
Key note speaker at University of Alabama at Birmingham Young Authors’ Conference
Receives Helen Keller Literary Award
Travels to Paris, France
Wins 1st Place in International Sakura Haiku Competition for "October"
Begins correspondence with poet X. J. Kennedy; now in archive at de Grummond Collection
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets children’s authors Barbara Robinson and Elizabeth Levy
Meets poet Mark Strand at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Meets Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko and Alabama author Charles Gaines for lunch at
home of Maree Jemison, Mountain Brook, Alabama
1994 TICKLE DAY: POEMS FROM FATHER GOOSE published by Disney-Hyperion
SPEAKING IN TONGUES: New & Selected Poems 1974-1994, Livingston University Press
THE BEST OF SNICKERS: Light Verse published by The Best of Times, Inc.
First book signings of Disney books at Books of Wonder, New York, New York
Book signings at bookstores in AL, MS, TN, FL, NC, OH, NY
“Father Goose” trademark moniker begins
Children’s poems continue appearing in Cricket, Ladybug, and Spider other magazine s
Book signings at bookstores in AL, MS, TN, NC, SC
Speaks at Southeast Booksellers Association, Orlando, Florida
Speaks at schools in Dayton, Ohio
Poetry reading, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
Poetry reading, Utah State University, Salt Lake City, Utah
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets editor Harold Underdown
1995 RIDDLE RHYMES published by Disney-Hyperion
THE DAY I SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE SHELBY COUNTY JAIL, The Best of Times, Inc.
Book signings at bookstores in AL, GA, TN, NC, OR
5-City Alabama Library Tour, in Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, Decatur, Guntersville
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets poet Gwendolyn Brooks for lunch, Samford University, Homewood, Alabama
1996 Age 50
Writes 1,000th daily syndicated feature for Tribune Media Services, Chicago, Illinois
RIDDLE RHYMES receives full-page color review in The New York Times Book Review
Book signings at bookstores in AL, MS, TN, NC
Poetry reading, Southern Literary Festival, Natchez, Mississippi
Poetry reading, Brenau University, Gainesville, Georgia
Writes tribute for bronze plaque at the Jesse Owens Memorial Park
“Father Goose” commemorative brick installed at new Homewood Library, Homewood, AL
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Begins coaching son's Little League teams
1997 Mother dies of heart attack (age 77)
Signs six-book contract, Random House Books for Children
Honored with a "Hometown Homecoming" by Fort Myers Literary Society, Fort Myers, Florida
Signings at bookstores in AL, MS, TN, SC
Delivers keynote at the Alabama Literary Awards Banquet, Montgomery, Alabama
Poetry reading, University of South Carolina, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Poetry reading, Illinois Press Association, Champagne, Illinois
Poetry reading, Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama
Poetry reading, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Donates his papers to the de Grummond Children's Literature Archive Collection, University of
Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Meets Eric Carle and Jon Agee; attends party with them in New Orleans, the trio travels
from New Orleans to Hattiesburg to speak at the book festival
1998 Signs book contracts with Random House, Abrams, Charlesbridge & Running Press
Writes 2,000th daily syndicated feature for Tribune Media Services, Chicago, Illinois
Discontinues "Snickers" syndication with Tribune Media Services
Signings at bookstores in AL, FL, MS, MN
Visits schools in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, South America
Poetry reading, National Teachers Convention, New Ulm, Minnesota
Elected vice president and board member, Homewood Patriot Youth Football League
Coaches son's football, baseball, and basketball park league teams
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Begins correspondence with writer Eugene Walter
Meets poet William Meredith for dinner with author Han Nolan
1999 ANIMAL TRUNK: SILLY POEMS TO READ ALOUD published by Abrams
MICE ARE NICE published by Random House
SEE THE YAK YAK published by Random House
PLASTIC SOUP: DREAM POEMS published by Black Belt Press
LOVE POEMS published by Crane Hill Publishers
SEE THE YAK YAK chosen for "Main Selection" by Book-of-the-Month Club
SEE THE YAK YAK selected for Scholastic Book Fair
Signings at bookstores in AL, GA, MS, TN, SC
Poetry reading, South Carolina International Reading Association, Hilton Head, South Carolina
Poetry reading, National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Atlanta, Georgia
Poetry reading, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Poetry reading, Southern Festival of Books, Nashville, Tennessee
5-City Alabama Library Tour; Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, Decatur, Guntersville
Poetry reading, Livingston University, Livingston, Alabama
Visits six elementary schools in Tupelo, Mississippi
"A Poem is a Little Path" published in 20th CENTURY CHILDREN'S POETRY TREASURY
Poems published in KNOCK AT A STAR: A CHILD'S INTRO TO POETRY
Appears on Alabama Public Television's "Bookmark" program
Begins judging The Birmingham News Annual Poetry Contest for Kids
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Travels with family to San Francisco, California
Meets folk artist Mose T (Mose Tolliver) at his home studio in Montgomery, Alabama
2000 CHRISTMAS IS COMING published by Charlesbridge
ANIMAL TRUNK receives Alabama Library Association Book of the Year Award
ANIMAL TRUNK receives Parents' Choice Award
Signings at bookstores in AL, GA, TN, MS, SC, Alaska
Poetry reading, South Carolina Young Authors Conference, Columbia, South Carolina
Poetry reading, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama
5-City Alabama Library Tour; Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, Decatur, Guntersville
Appears on ABC-TV's "Parenting Life" program
Serves on panel with Rick Bragg at Alabama Bound Book Festival, Birmingham Public Library
PLASTIC SOUP and LOVE POEMS receive SEBA Notable Book Awards
"A Poem Is A Little Path" selected for National Poetry Month poster
Speaks at schools in Tok, Alaska
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Poetry Alive! begins adding his poems to their performances
Poem "Alabama" is orchestrated by Philip Koplow and sung by Darla Brooks
2001 HAIKU: THE TRAVELERS OF ETERNITY published by River City Press
Represented by literary agent, Andrea Cascardi, Transatlantic Literary Agency, Inc.
Honored at Governor's Mansion with bookmark Center for the Book, Montgomery, Alabama
Attends Luciano Pavarotti U.S Tour Concert with family at BJCC, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, National Council of Teachers of English Conference, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Iowa Reading Conference, Des Moines, Iowa
Poetry reading, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama
Speaks at memorial service for poet Anne George
Meets children’s poet Constance Levy and begins correspondence
Children’s poet Kenn Nesbitt visits the Ghigna home
2002 ONE HUNDRED SHOES published by Random House
THE ALPHABET PARADE published by River City Kids
TICKLE DAY featured on “The Rosie O'Donnell Show” NBC-TV
Signings at bookstores in AL, GA, MS, TN
Poetry reading, Georgia Council of Teachers of English, Rome, Georgia
Poetry reading, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Poetry reading, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama
Coaches 13 year old Homewood Baseball All Stars, Homewood, Alabama
Becomes Founding Board Member of the Alabama Center for the Book
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Travels with family to Paris, France
Meets children's authors Rosemary Wells, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Chris Crutcher
2003 HALLOWEEN NIGHT: TWENTY-ONE SPOOKTACULAR POEMS, Running Press
A FURY OF MOTION: POEMS FOR BOYS published by Boyds Mills Press
Founding Advisory Board Member of The Children's Literacy Guild of Alabama
Begins serving as Board Member of the Homewood Athletic Association
Harcourt begins publishing his poems in SAT and ACT tests
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets children's author Avi and illustrator Jared Lee
2004 ANIMAL TRACKS: WILD POEMS TO READ ALOUD published by Abrams
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Begins working on book with cartoonist Tom Wilson (Ziggy)
2005 IF YOU WERE MY VALENTINE published by Simon & Schuster
OH MY, PUMPKIN PIE! published by Random House
DYLAN THE SMOKEY DRAGON published by Maris, West & Baker
HALLOWEEN NIGHT reprinted in paperback by Scholastic
ONE HUNDRED SHOES performed at Children's Museum in Atlanta
Poetry reading, American Library in Paris, France
Poems continue to be published in Cricket and Highlights for Children and other magazines
Poems published in READ A RHYME, WRITE A RHYME published by Knopf
His motivational poems begin appearing in newspapers, magazines and online
"A Poem Is A Spider Web" Bookmark published by Birmingham Public Library
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Ends five year author/agent relationship with Andrea Cascardi
2006 Age 60
HALLOWEEN NIGHT (mini-edition) published by Running Press
GREATEST HITS: POEMS 1974-2005, chapbook published by Pudding House
ANIMAL TRACKS
nominated for Chickadee Book Award
Poem in POCKET PRAYERS anthology published by Chronicle Books
Represented by Ronnie Ann Herman Literary Agency, New York
Begins writing articles for Inkwell magazine
Recognized as author of "The World's Shortest Poem" with poem titled “I”
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Interviewed by National Public Radio
2007 LOVE POEMS reprinted by Crane Hill
“Ladybug Ladybug” poem published in LADYBUG LADYBUG by Cricket Books
Poem published in MIRACLES OF MOTHERHOOD published by Time Warner
Poem published on 2007 National Poetry Month poster
Featured on Reading Rainbow program for Kentucky Public Television
Poetry reading, MENSA Convention, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Mid-South Book Conference, University of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Southern Festival of Books, Nashville, Tennessee
Poetry reading, Savannah Children's Book Festival, Savannah, Georgia
Donates his poetry library of 350 books to de Grummond Collection, Univ of So Mississippi
Donates collection of books to Katie McClure-Ray, his son's former high school English teacher
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Begins friendships with children’s poet Rebecca Kai Dotlich and author Michelle Knudsen
2008 SNOW WONDER published by Random House
SCORE! 50 POEMS TO MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE published by Abrams
SCORE! featured on FOX Television
Receives National Parenting Honor Award for SCORE!
SCORE! adopted by school character education programs, principals read poem-a-day
Poems published in THE ESSENTIALS OF CHILDREN LITERATURE, Allyn and Bacon
Poems published in PATTERNS: THE STORYTELLER published by Dorling Kindersley
ABC-TV "Take Pride in Alabama" interview
Featured on "Discovering Alabama," Alabama Public Television
Featured on Reading Rainbow program for Alabama Public Television
Presents a "Romantic Evening" of LOVE POEMS at the Homewood Library
Speaks at numerous schools, libraries and literary events throughout the U.S.
Poetry reading, South Carolina IRA in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Poetry reading, Southern Kentucky Book Festival, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Poetry reading, Southern Festival of Books, Nashville, Tennessee
Poetry reading, Savannah Children's Book Festival, Savannah, Georgia
Interview, Clear Channel Radio "Morning Show," Savannah, Georgia
Poetry reading, Alabama Reading Association, Montgomery, Alabama
5-City Alabama Library Tour, in Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, Decatur, Guntersville
Books exhibition, Ellenburg Gallery, Homewood Public Library, Homewood, Alabama
Ends two year author/agent relationship with Ronnie Ann Herman
Begins email correspondence with children’s poets Lee Bennett Hopkins and J. Patrick Lewis
Discovers and reports first Giant Leopard moth discovered in Alabama
(found in the basement of The Father Goose House)
Begins writing weekly Father Goose blog for teachers and students
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets children’s authors Marc Brown, Mo Willems, Mike Thaler and Donald Crews
2009 Grandson born, Christopher Pierce
Begins serving on Editorial Advisory Board for the U.S. Kids magazines
Celebrates 10th Anniversary of his Birmingham News Poetry Contest for Kids
Poetry reading at the Celebration on the Grand, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Poetry reading, Auburn Public Library, Auburn, Alabama
Poem published in DEAR ONE: A TRIBUTE TO LEE BENNETT HOPKINS, by NCTE
Poem published in JULIE ANDREWS’COLLECTION OF POEMS published by Little, Brown
Julie Andrews read’s “What’s a Poem?” from her book that receives a Grammy
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
2010 Granddaughter born, Charlotte Rose Ghigna
BARN STORM! published by Random House
Poem published in THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE SCHOOL published by HarperCollins
Poetry Reading, Children's Book Festival, University of Southern Mississippi
Poetry Reading, Trussville Public Library, Trussville, Alabama
Bio and bibliography published in the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ALABAMA
Continues speaking at schools, colleges,
conferences, and libraries
2011 I SEE SPRING published by Capstone
I SEE SUMMER published by Capstone
I SEE FALL published by Capstone
I SEE WINTER published by Capstone
Poem published in SAY A LITTLE PRAYER published by Chronicle Books
Featured Poet in Light Quarterly article by X.J. Kennedy
Founding Board Member, PACYA, Poetry Advocates for Children & Young Adults
Begins writing monthly "Chuckles" feature for InHomewood.com
Four poems purchased by The Poetry Foundation
Featured in The Homewood Star
Begins serving as Contributing Editor for Alabama Baby Magazine
Writes and recites "Bugsy" poem for annual "We Love Homewood Day,” Homewood, Alabama
Poetry reading, Gadsden Public Library, Gadsden, Alabama
Featured speaker, Southern Kentucky Book Festival, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Featured speaker, Decatur Book Festival, Decatur, Georgia
Featured author, National Picture Book Month Celebration, New York
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
2012 LITTLE SEEDS published by Capstone
RECYCLING IS FUN published by Capstone
WE NEED WATER published by Capstone
PICK UP THE PARK published by Capstone
THE MAGIC BEHIND THE SCREEN published by PBS/APT
Poems published in THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOK OF ANIMAL POETRY
ABC-TV interview and reading for Valentine special
ABC-TV interview for "Nature Disappearing from Children's Books"
Poems published in British documentary "When I Grow Up"
Poetry reading, Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Samford University, Homewood, Alabama
Poetry reading, Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, Kentucky
Poetry reading, Homewood Public Library, Homewood, Alabama
Poetry reading, Auburn Public Library, Auburn, Alabama
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Son graduates from Auburn University, B.A. Studio Art
2013 MY LITTLE PLANET series receives Learning Magazine's Teachers' Choice Award
Featured guest, annual Homewood Christmas Parade, Homewood, Alabama
Featured articles, Homewood Life and Over the Mountain Journal
Feature article, Fort Myers News Press, "... former home of Edison, Firestone, Ford, Ghigna"
Poems published in Highlights, Cricket, Ladybug and Spider
Poems published in BABY, PUNCTUALITY POEMS, GRATITUDE PRAYERS & POEMS
Travels with family to visit daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild in Seattle, Washington
Begins serving on Board of Directors for the Interstate Character Council
Poetry Reading, Texas Library Association, Houston, Texas
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets children’s poets Jane Yolen, Amy VanDerwater, Charles Waters
2014 THE WONDERS OF THE COLOR WHEEL published by Capstone
NUMBERS IN THE PARK published by Capstone
SHAPES ARE EVERYWHERE published by Capstone
THE ALPHABET PARADE published by Capstone
32 audio stories published in the Elo Pillow for Children
Poems published in TOASTS: THE PERFECT WORDS TO CELEBRATE, Viva Editions
Poems published in SOAR! FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS published by Andrews McMeel
Poems published in THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY published by Pomelo Books
Featured author, Meet-the-Authors, Homewood Public Library, Homewood, Alabama
Poetry Reading, Mid-South Writing Conference, University of Alabama in Birmingham
Poetry Reading, Southern Kentucky Book Festival, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
PBS Interview, Bowling Green, Kentucky
2015 A CARNIVAL OF CATS published by Orca
HAIL TO SPRING! published by Capstone
A WINDY DAY IN SPRING published by Capstone
SUNSHINE BRIGHTENS SPRINGTIME published by Capstone
RAINDROPS FALL ALL AROUND published by Capstone
LUCY GOOSE published by Capstone
ADELINE PORCUPINE published by Capstone
BOBBY BEAR published by Capstone
CUDDLE BUNNY published by Capstone
Poems published in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOK OF NATURE POETRY
Poems published in LULLABY AND KISSES SWEET published by Abrams
Poems published in THE POETRY OF SCIENCE published by Pomelo Books
Poems published in POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS, Pomelo Books
Poems published in GET WELL WISHES: POEMS OF COMFORT published by Viva Editions
Poems published in Urban Family magazine
Begins writing monthly "Poetry Party" feature for Birmingham Parent Magazine (2015-2019)
Begins writing monthly poetry blog feature for Cricket Media
Poetry Reading, American School of Paris, France; visits St. Tropez and villages of Provence;
with visits to the Louvre and the Van Gogh Exhibition at Musee d’Orsay
Poetry Reading, Alabama School Library Association, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry Reading, College of Central Florida, Ocala, Florida
5-City Alabama Library Tour, in Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, Decatur, Guntersville
Poetry Reading, Alabama Pastoral Care Retreat, Aldridge Gardens, Birmingham, Alabama
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Book Launch Party, A CARNIVAL OF CATS and TINY TALES 4-Book Series
at the Homewood Public Library, Homewood, Alabama
2016 Age 70
STRANGE, UNUSUAL, GROSS & COOL ANIMALS published by Animal Planet/Time Inc.
STRANGE UNUSUAL, COOL & GROSS ANIMALS Book Launch Party, Homewood Library
Southeast on book tour with STRANGE UNUSUAL GROSS & COOL ANIMALS
A PARADE OF PUPPIES published by Orca
Poems published in ONE MINUTE TILL BEDTIME published Little, Brown
Poems published in EARTH BLESSINGS published by Viva Editions
Poems published in JUST YOU WAIT published by Pomelo Books
Poetry reading, Exceptional Foundation, Homewood, Alabama
Poetry reading, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
Poetry reading, Gadsden Public Library, Gadsden, Alabama
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Spring vacation with family, Seattle, Washington
Christmas vacation with family, in Deauville, Normandy, and Paris, France
2017 FIRST TIMES published by Orca
LITTLE COW published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
LITTLE SQUIRREL published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
LITTLE PUPPY published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
LITTLE BEE published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
LITTLE LION published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
LITTLE SEAL published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
WINTER MATH: ADDITION published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
WINTER MATH: SUBTRACTION published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
WINTER MATH: MAKING 10 published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
WINTER MATH: ODD NUMBERS published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
WINTER MATH: EVEN NUMBERS published by Cantata Learning with CD reading & music
WINTER MATH: COUNT BY 10 TO 100 by Cantata Learning with CD reading & music
DIAL 911: FIRE SAFETY published by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
PLAN AND PREPARE: FIRE SAFETY by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
STOP DROP AND ROLL: FIRE SAFETY by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
GET OUT STAY OUT!: FIRE SAFETY by Cantata Learning with CD reading and music
A CARNIVAL OF CATS receives Starred Review from Kirkus Reviews
CCBC Best Books for Kids Selection, A PARADE OF PUPPIES
STRANGE UNUSUAL GROSS & COOL ANIMALS, National Science Teachers Award
Poems published in BABY BLESSINGS published Andrews McMeel
Poems published in POEMS ARE TEACHERS published by Heinemann
Poetry reading, ALA Midwinter Convention, Atlanta, GA
Poetry reading, Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, GA
Poetry reading, Southern Festival of Books, Nashville, TN
Continues book tour with STRANGE UNUSUAL GROSS & COOL ANIMALS
Book Launch Party, FIRST TIMES, Homewood Public Library, Homewood, Alabama
Book Party, FIRST TIMES, Vestavia Public Library, Vestavia, Alabama
Christmas vacation, New York City with Debra and Chip, “Best family vacation — ever!”
Featured speaker, Southern Kentucky Book Fest, Bowling Green, Kentucky
PBS Interview, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Meets author R.L. Stine - “Father Goose Meets Goosebumps”
2018 WHO CAN? published by Orca
THE NIGHT THE FOREST CAME TO TOWN published by Orca
ALABAMA: MY HOME SWEET HOME published by Whitman
ALABAMA: MY HOME SWEET HOME chosen for National Book Festival
WHO CAN? receives 2018 CCBC Best Books for Kids Starred Selection
FIRST TIMES receives 2018 CCBC Best Books for Kids Selection
Poems published in WORLD MAKE WAY: NEW POEMS INSPIRED BY ART
published by Abrams & the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Poems published in THE POETRY OF US published by National Geographic Books
Poems published in A BUNCH OF PUNCTUATION published by Boyds Mills Press
Poems published in SCHOOL PEOPLE published by Wordsong/Highlights
Book Launch Party, THE NIGHT THE FOREST CAME TO TOWN and WHO CAN?
at Homewood Public Library, Homewood, Alabama
Book signing, Little Professor Books, Homewood, Alabama
Poetry reading, MidSouth Reading & Writing Conference, University of Alabama, Birmingham
Poetry reading, National Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, Atlanta, Georgia
Poetry reading, American Library Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana
Poetry reading, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
Poetry reading, Greystone Reading Conference, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Alabama Book Festival, Montgomery, Alabama
Poetry reading, Alabama Literacy Association Conference, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Reach Out and Read Conference, Florence, Alabama
Poetry reading, National Book Festival, Washington, DC
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
2019 STONES: THE COLLECTED SHORT POEMS published by Canopic Publishing
DEAR POET: NOTES TO A YOUNG WRITER published by Resource Books
ALABAMA: MY HOME SWEET HOME 2019 chosen for Reach Out and Read Program
Poem published in THE PROPER WAY TO MEET A HEDGEHOG published by Candlewick
Poem published in THANKU: POEMS ABOUT GRATITUDE published by Lerner/Millbrook
Poetry reading, Jule Collins Museum of Art, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
Poetry reading, Legislative Day, Alabama State House, Montgomery, Alabama
Poetry reading, Alabama Bicentennial Celebration events throughout the state of Alabama
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Receives the 2019 Library Champion Award, Jefferson County Library Assoc., Birmingham
2020 ILLUSIONS: POETRY & ART FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART published by Resource Books
Poem published in CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE published by Boyds Mills Kane
Poem published in A WORLD FULL OF POEMS published by DK Penguin Random House
Poem published in HOP TO IT published by Pomela Books
Poem published in EMPOWERING STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF VOCABULARY
THE NIGHT THE FOREST CAME TO TOWN chosen to represent
Alabama at the National Book Festival of the Library of Congress
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Receives the ALLA Alabama Author Lifetime Achievement Award
2021 Age 75
A POEM IS A FIREFLY published by Schiffer Kids
LOVE IS EVERYTHING published by Schiffer Kids
ONCE UPON ANOTHER TIME published by Beaming
Books
ARTWORDS: POEM PORTRAITS OF ARTISTS AND POETS published by Resource Books
THE TRUTH ABOUT TREES published by Negative Capability Press
A POEM IS A FIREFLY 2021 Dragonfly Book Award
“Goal Mind” weekly newspaper feature begins appearing in the print editions of
The Birmingham News, The Huntsville Times, and The Mobile Register
Poetry reading, Alabama Association for Early Education, Birmingham, Alabama
Recipient of the Alabama Top 50 Over 50 Award
Featured in Homewood Life Magazine
Poem published in FOR EVERY LITTLE THING published by Eerdmans
Poem published in LONGMAN ENGLISH S2 LEARNER’S BOOK published by Pearson
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Poems continue to appear regularly in Cricket, Highlights and other magazines
2022 FETCH CAT FETCH published by Schiffer Kids
LITTLE HEARTS: FINDING HEARTS IN NATURE published by Red Comet Press
Poem published in PRAYERS FOR OUR PETS published by Eerdmans
Poem published in ESSENTIALS OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE published by Eerdmans
Poems continue to appear regularly in Cricket, Highlights and other magazines
Serves as judge for Mountain Brook Elementary Writing Contest, Mountain Brook, Alabama
Poetry reading, Springville Road Library, Huffman, Alabama
Poetry reading, Authors Day at Little Professor Book Shop, Homewood, Alabama
“Life is a Snowflake” poem tattooed on forearm of woman in Dublin, Ireland
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Vacations with family, Miami, Florida
Vacations with family, Santa Cruz, California
2023 THE FATHER GOOSE TREASURY OF POETRY published by Schiffer Kids
THE FATHER GOOSE TREASURY OF POETRY national book tour AL, FL, KY
STRANGE UNUSUAL GROSS & COOL ANIMALS republished by Simon & Schuster
ALABAMA: MY HOME SWEET HOME chosen by the Alabama State Department of
Education for their Reading Initiative Program
Signs with Martin Literary Management Agency, Sharlene Martin and Kristen Terrette
to represent YA novel, ONLY THE STARS: THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE NOBODY
Poem published in WHERE I LIVE: POEMS ABOUT HOME published by Eerdmans
Poetry reading, Monroeville Literary Festival, Monroeville, Alabama
Poetry reading, Southern Festival of Books, Nashville, Tennessee
Poetry reading, Southern Kentucky Book Fest, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Poetry reading, Jefferson County Teachers Association, Birmingham, Alabama
Poetry reading, Hall-Kent School, Homewood, Alabama
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Writes his 100th and last syndicated “Goal Mind” poem as the newspaper print editions
of The Birmingham News, The Huntsville Times, and The Mobile Register go out of print
“Seeing with the Eye of the Poet” in the Columbia Tribune, Springfield News-Leader and others
Poems continue to appear regularly in Cricket, Highlights and other magazines for children
Poems “The Call” read during Barons Baseball game on WJOX radio
Featured in Birmingham Lifestyle Magazine
Travels to Paris. Dinner and private tour of Versailles with Diana Levaton and Alex Piccioto
Meets Dr. Graham Boettcher, Director, Birmingham Museum of Art, to collaborate on book
Meets poet Joy Harjo
2024 BOUND TO DREAM: AN IMMIGRANT STORY published by Schiffer Kids
THE MAGIC BOX: A BOOK OF OPPOSITES published by Schiffer Kids
SNOW WONDER published in Little Tikes Story Dream Machine™ by Mattel
THE FATHER GOOSE TREASURY OF POETRY chosen to represent Alabama
The New York Times article with T.S. Eliot, Nikki Giovanni, and John Updike
Biography included in ALABAMA AUTHORS of the19th & 20th CENTURIES
1st Annual Alabama Statewide Father Goose Poetry Festival for Kids
Poem published in CLARA’S KOOKY COMPENDIUM published by Pomelo Books
Poem published in BLESS THE EARTH published by Random House
Poem published in BLESS OUR PETS published by Eerdmans
Poem published in 40 POEMS FOR 40 WEEKS published by Routledge
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Poems continue to appear regularly in Cricket, Highlights and other magazines
Poet Allan Wolf visits the Treehouse
2025 SOUTHERN BRED: A MEMOIR OF GOTHIC POEMS, Central Avenue/Simon & Schuster
SWEET DREAMS: MOON POEMS FOR BEDTIME published by Schiffer Kids
PUNS NOT GUNS: HUMOR published by Livingston Press
KIDS LOVE COINS: AN INTRODUCTION TO COIN COLLECTING published by Whitman
BOUND TO DREAM: AN IMMIGRANT STORY wins 2025 Northern Lights Book Award
2nd Annual Alabama Statewide Father Goose Poetry Festival for Kids
Speaks at four Alabama Book Festivals (Argo, Fultondale, Trussville, Homewood)
Records Audio Book version of SOUTHERN BRED for Recorded Books RB Media
Poetry reading, SOUTHERN BRED at the Southern Festival of Books, Nashville, TN
Poetry reading, SOUTHERN BRED at SIBA Conference, Atlanta, Georgia
Book Tour Readings & Signings throughout Alabama and the South with SOUTHERN BRED
Poem published in A UNIVERSE OF RAINBOWS published by Eerdmans
Poems continue to appear in Cricket, Highlights, School Magazine and other magazines
“Where Do Poems Come From” in Columbia Tribune, Springfield News-Leader and others
“Poetic Motivation” published in the Columbia Tribune, Springfield News-Leader and others
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Celebrates 50th Wedding Anniversary at Rosemary Beach, Florida
2026 Age 80
THE VERY HUNGRY CATERILLAR’S FIRST POEMS published by Random House
THE LOST BOOK OF LIFE: NEW & SELECTED POEMS published by Univ of Alabama
FINDING THE LIGHT published by Finishing Line Press
WALTER ANDERSON MUSICAL written on commission for Walter Anderson Museum
THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR’S FIRST POEMS, Starred Review, Booklist
THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR’S FIRST POEMS book party at Homewood Library
Poems published in THE POETRY OF NATURE
Poetry reading, Southern Festival of Books, Nashville, Tennessee
Over The Mountain Journal features The 100 Year Old Father Goose House
Keynote speaker at Family Child Care Conference, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
Keynote speaker at Southern Christian Writers Conference, Birmingham, Alabama
3rd Annual Alabama Statewide Father Goose Poetry Festival for Kids
Continues speaking at schools, colleges, conferences, and libraries
Book Tour Readings & Signings throughout Alabama and the South
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