How did this project start?

In New York City I was 3000 miles from my California granddaughters Chloe, aged 11 and Georgia, aged 9. To bridge the distance I thought it would be fun to exchange poems by email. The girls came up with topics for everyone to write about and they and my husband Myron made illustrations.

What made you agree to participate?

CHLOE: Well, I already knew some about poetry from Nana and from a poetry unit we did in English class. I didn't particularly like writing long poems, but when she told us it only had to be 4 lines or so, it sounded like it would be something really fun to do.

GEORGIA: I agreed because I thought it would be fun. I also agreed so I can get better at poetry! I did some poetry at school.

Did you have a good time?

CHLOE: Yes, it was very fun emailing Nana different poems, and giving her different subjects back. It was also fun coming to New York and drawing and taking pictures for the illustrations.

GEORGIA: I think this was a very fun and creative project. I am very happy I said I would do it!

Did it change your ideas about writing poetry?

ANITA: Poetry is an important part of my life and this project made me think about how important it is to make poetry part of everyone's life.

CHLOE: To be honest, it didn't really change the way I felt about poetry, because as I said I did a unit on it last year in English. The unit explained everything about poetry, so I knew a lot already.

GEORGIA: I think it kind of changed my idea of writing poetry because I learned new things!