Jack Ridl | Poetry is what poets write

In this episode, Dr. Deb Van Duinen has a conversation with Jack Ridl. Jack Ridl taught at Hope from 1971 until retiring in 2006. With his wife Julie, Ridl founded the Visiting Writers Series at Hope College, later named the “Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series” in his honor, He is the author of several collections …

Six authors joining our program this year!

We are thrilled to announce our 2021 program! will be headlined by six Native American authors and poets: Joy Harjo, Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, Angeline Boulley, Dr. Debbie Reese, Kevin Noble Maillard and Cynthia Leitch Smith.  “This year, I’m excited to announce our program will be centered around Native American voices. It’s important to amplify the …

#ReadingTogether: Tips & Tricks for Reading with Little Readers

Earlier this year, we featured a series entitled Reading Together on our Little Read Lakeshore social media accounts! This series provides intentional tips for reading, discussing and exploring themes of books with Little Readers. And surprise! Two NEW tips are spotlighted only here, our blog! Let your kids see you read! 👀 Tell them what you …

Introducing Our 2021 Selections!

We are excited to announce that we have received an eighth consecutive grant from the National Endowment of the Arts! Our program will highlight poetry and Native American history this November.  This year, we will concentrate on Poet Laureate Joy Harjo’s An American Sunrise, a collection of poems that traverses the homeland from which her …

Light for the World to See: A Conversation with Kwame Alexander

We are thrilled to announce that Kwame Alexander will virtually visit Hope College as a result of a collaborative effort of several Hope organizations. The NEA Big Read Lakeshore, Black Student Union, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Tensen Writing Fund, Cultural Affairs Committee, Education Department and Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series are thrilled to announce …