Letter and Poem from Jon Olseth of the Olseth Family Foundation (2020)
Dear 4th Graders,
I am so happy to able to share this book of poems with you.
Where the Sidewalk Ends was one of my favorite books to read when I was a kid – and I have spent many hours reading these same poems out loud to my own children. I think you will enjoy sharing them with those in your life too.
I am sorry that I am unable to deliver these books to you and your class in person so that we could read a few out loud together. But since we can’t do that, I have written a poem for you instead. I think I wanted to write this poem for you because we all have so many moods – so many emotions – and they change so often. Our feelings go up and down – kind of like being on a swing.
Sometimes, sharing poems or writing poems helps us understand those feelings. And sometimes, I know, reading poems is just goofy and fun. Whatever the reason, poems are always best when we read them together.
Enjoy!
Jon Olseth