{"id":1517,"date":"2019-08-09T17:22:30","date_gmt":"2019-08-09T21:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kimberlyyavorski.com\/whenigrowup\/?p=1517"},"modified":"2019-08-13T12:08:53","modified_gmt":"2019-08-13T16:08:53","slug":"the-world-of-childrens-literature-lost-a-legend-i-lost-my-uncle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kimberlyyavorski.com\/whenigrowup\/the-world-of-childrens-literature-lost-a-legend-i-lost-my-uncle\/","title":{"rendered":"The World of Children\u2019s Literature Lost a Legend, I Lost My Uncle"},"content":{"rendered":"

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While most know Lee Bennett Hopkins as a legend in the world of children\u2019s poetry, to me he was much more. He was my uncle, my godfather, a huge part of my life growing up.\u00a0He was funny and playful, he was opinionated and blunt, he was generous and usually kind. We didn\u2019t always agree, in fact we had \u201cwords\u201d more than once, but I never doubted that he adored me (and the feeling was mutual). I know that those who knew him, as well as many in the world of children’s poetry share my sorrow at his death.<\/a><\/p>\n

He celebrated the day I was born and for the first few years of my life, was a regular visitor in our home, stopping by after work to see what new thing I had learned. When my dad\u2019s career took us several states away, he kept in touch via letters, many of which I am pleased to say recently came into my possession. He also visited as often as he could afford, bringing extra energy and laughter to our small household.<\/span><\/b><\/i><\/u><\/p>\n\n\t\t