Poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins, born on April 13th, has been advocating poetry for children his entire career. Recipient of the University of Southern Mississippi Silver Medallion for "lasting contributions to children's literature," he believes that poetry must be a part of a child's every day life.  "Poems can bring a little laughter into each day ... and can also help children get through difficult periods.  Poetry stems from life itself," he writes, "It is food and drink, it is all seasons, it is the stuff of all existence." His work Pass the Poetry Please has been in print for 25 years and is one of over 75 books he has contributed to the literary field. Also look for Books Are by People, published over thirty years ago and filled with fascinating descriptions of authors and illustrators then well-known.