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{{short description|American poet}} |
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{{Infobox writer |
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{{Infobox writer |
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| caption = Charles Ghigna |
| caption = Charles Ghigna |
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| image = CharlesGhigna.jpg |
| image = CharlesGhigna.jpg |
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| pseudonym = Father Goose |
| pseudonym = Father Goose |
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| birth_name = Charles Ghigna |
| birth_name = Charles Ghigna |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1946|8|25|mf=yes}} |
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1946|8|25|mf=yes}} |
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| birth_place = [[Bayside, New York]], |
| birth_place = [[Bayside, Queens]], [[New York City]], US |
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| occupation = Poet, children's author |
| occupation = Poet, children's author |
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| language = English |
| language = English |
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| nationality = American |
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| genre = [[Poetry]], [[children's literature]] |
| genre = [[Poetry]], [[children's literature]] |
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| spouse = [[Debra Ghigna]] |
| spouse = [[Debra Ghigna]] |
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| children = [[Chip Ghigna]] |
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| website = {{URL|http://www.charlesghigna.com/}} |
| website = {{URL|http://www.charlesghigna.com/}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Charles Ghigna''' (born August 25, 1946) is an [[American people|American]] poet and author of more than 100 books for children and adults from Random House, Disney, Hyperion, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Time Inc., Abrams, Charlesbridge, Capstone, Boyds Mills Press, Orca and other publishers, and more than 5,000 poems, many of which appear in textbooks and anthologies, and in hundreds of newspapers and magazines from ''The New Yorker'' and ''Harper's'' to ''Cricket'' and ''Highlights''. He has spoken at schools, colleges, conferences, libraries, and literary events throughout the United States and overseas, and has read his poems at the Library of Congress, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the American Library in Paris, the American School in Paris, and the International Schools of South America. He sometimes uses his trademark nickname Father Goose®. |
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'''Charles Ghigna''' (/'gɪnˈjə/) (born August 25, 1946), known also as '''Father Goose''' is an [[American people|American]] poet and author of children's and adults' books. He has written more than 5,000 poems and 100 books.<ref name=EoA>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2583|title=Charles Ghigna|first=Cynthia Quinn|last=White|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Alabama|date=September 23, 2019|accessdate=October 26, 2019}}</ref> |
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He taught at Samford University, served as poet-in-residence and chair of creative writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts (1974-1993), and as a nationally syndicated poetry feature writer for Tribune Media Services (1993-1998). |
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Ghigna was born in [[Bayside, Queens]]. His parents relocated to [[Fort Myers]], [[Florida]] when he was five.<ref name=FAQs/> Ghigna graduated from [[Florida Atlantic University]] with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in 1968 and a [[Master of Education]] degree in 1970. In 1974, he became a poet-in-residence and started teaching creative writing at the [[Alabama School of Fine Arts]] (ASFA).<ref name=EoA/> He subsequently worked on the children's television show ''Cabbages and Kings'' and in 1979 taught creative writing at [[Samford University]].<ref name=EoA/> |
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The themes of his books and poetry reflect a celebration of childhood, as well as a reverence for nature and animals. His other subjects and themes include humor, holidays, riddles, seasons, school, sports, and the power of a positive attitude.<ref>"Charles Ghigna (Father Goose)" An explication and bio-bibliographical guide. ''The Contemporary Authors Series''. (New Revision Series) Volume 137. Thomson-Gale, 2005.168-172.</ref> |
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Ghigna's first book of poetry, ''Returning to Earth'', was published in 1989. He published his first children's poetry books in 1992, before leaving ASFA the following year and taking up writing for children full-time.<ref name=EoA/> |
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"Ghigna" is pronounced GEEN-ya with a hard G as in Geese. [https://www.teachingbooks.net/pronounce.cgi?aid=5467 Click here to listen to the pronunciation of "Ghigna."] |
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Ghigna lives in [[Homewood, Alabama]] with his wife, the author [[Debra Ghigna]]. Their son, [[Chip Ghigna]], is an artist.<ref name=FAQs>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlesghigna.com/fgfaq.html|title=Frequently asked questions (FAQs)|publisher=Charles Ghigna - Father Goose|accessdate=October 26, 2019}}</ref><ref name=AL>{{cite news|url=https://www.al.com/life/2019/07/alabamas-father-goose-is-as-prolific-a-poet-as-ever.html|title=Alabama's 'Father Goose' is as prolific a poet as ever|publisher=Advance Local Alabama|first=Michelle|last=Matthews|date=July 17, 2019|accessdate=October 26, 2019}}</ref> |
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==Early life== |
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Ghigna was born August 25, 1946 in [[Bayside, Queens]]. His parents Charles and Patricia relocated to [[Fort Myers]], [[Florida]] when he was five. He attended Fort Myers Senior High School, where his talent for writing first got attention. While in the third grade, an essay about a talking freckle on a boy’s face got Ghigna a great deal of attention. Although he enjoyed writing, after some of this classmates began teasing him about writing he stopped and took up baseball. He developed a love for the game which he continued to play through high school, and even tried out with the Pittsburgh Pirates.<ref>Laubenthal, Penne. (2007) Interview with Charles Ghigna. Retrieved 2009-03-18. {{full|date=September 2012}}</ref> |
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While in his teens, Ghigna began to write again secretly in journals, a practice he continued. His love of writing developed early and became more apparent as he grew older. Upon entering college, writing, especially writing poetry, became a major focus for him. In college his passion for poetry continued to grow. It was through his reading of the poems of poet [[Robert Frost]] while in high school, that this love for poetry was ignited. Until then he saw poetry as something one had to memorize, recite in front of the entire class and then have your teacher explain its meaning. Ghigna's perspective of writing poetry changed after his English teacher explained the maxim "Show, don't tell." "<ref name="num 4">* Ghigna, Charles (2003). ''I Hate Poetry''. Indie Bound. Retrieved 2009-03-18. [http://www.indiebound.org/author-interviews/ghignacharles].</ref> |
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Ghigna earned his Bachelor's degree from [[Florida Atlantic University]] in 1967 and his Masters in 1970. He attended [[Florida State University]] in 1973-1974. |
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==Career== |
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He taught English and creative writing at Cypress Lake High School in Ft. Myers from 1967-1973. |
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In 1973, he left teaching high school and began teaching creative writing at Edison College. He studied post-graduate courses in English and creative writing at Florida State University. While at FSU he served as poetry editor for ''English Journal,'' published by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). |
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In 1974, Ghigna moved to [[Birmingham, Alabama]], where he was a poet-in-residence at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. He worked there until 1993. During his years in Alabama, he also worked with Alabama Educational Television, where he created, directed, and performed in the children’s television series, ''Cabbages and Kings'' (1976). In addition, he was an instructor of creative writing at Samford University (1985-1986), became a correspondent for ''[[Writer's Digest]]'' magazine (1989), and authorized a national syndicated feature, ''Snickers'', for Tribune Media Services (1993–1998).<ref>Charles Ghigna, 2005.</ref> |
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By 1993, Ghigna had published works and also won numerous awards and honors. He acquired the nickname "Father Goose", an allusion to [[Mother Goose]], given to him by teachers and librarians when he began to share his poetry at schools and libraries. Children found Father Goose was easier to say and remember than Ghigna.<ref>Jesus & London, 2008</ref> He left teaching and began writing full-time after signing a four-book contract with [[Hyperion Books]] in 1992. He wanted to "reach more children by writing books of poetry to share with them during my visits."<ref>[http://www.charlesghigna.com]</ref> |
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Writing poetry, especially for children, became his major focus. He also writes for adult readers. Ghigna said “I hope my poems offer children an opportunity to explore and celebrate the joys of childhood and nature… humorous poems tickle the funny bone of their imagination.” (Charles Ghigna, 2005). |
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==Writing== |
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Ghigna's influences on his early writing attempts included his parents, especially his creative mother, poets [[Robert Frost]], [[Carl Sandburg]], [[Edna St. Vincent Millay]], [[Sara Teasdale]], [[Ogden Nash]], [[John Updike]], and [[James Dickey]].<ref name="num 7">"Charles Ghigna" 1946-. ''Something About the Author''. Vol 153. Detroit: Thomson-Gale, 2005. pp. 89-92.</ref> |
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Ideas for Ghigna's poems come while going through routine daily activities: talking to children or his son, mowing the lawn, driving down the road, his childhood. He writes every day. |
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==Works== |
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The humor found in many of his literary works comes from viewing everyday objects, people, or situations through the eyes of a child. Simple everyday objects can become the focus of poems that develop into a book of poems as in ''Animal Tracks: Wild Poems to Read Aloud'' (2004). In this book, poems use puns to demonstrate connections between animals and people. |
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When writing ''A Fury of Motion: Poems for Boys'' (2003) Ghigna had a specific goal in mind. A friend reminded him of a statement once made by poet John Ciardi that he "wished he has written a book of poems for boys who hated poetry". This, along with his recollection of his own personal feelings as a young boy as well as having a son of his own, were the reasons for setting the goal for his particular book (Ghigna, 2003). |
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Ghigna's poetry ranges from his free-form adult works to his use of rhymes in children’s works. |
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Award-winning ''Tickle Day: Poems from Father Goose'' (1994), which was chosen Pick of the List by the [[American Booksellers Association]], is a collection of 30 poems previously submitted to magazines. |
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Another Pick of the List, ''Riddle Rhymes'' (1995) takes riddles and gives them an added twist by putting them in verse form. This is just another example of Ghigna's ability to create a different yet unique presentation of an everyday form. The ''[[School Library Journal]]'' review found this book to be a "lighthearted guessing game" that children enjoyed while trying to answer the riddles (Charles Ghigna, 2005). |
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''Score! 50 Poems to Motivate and Inspire'' (2008), teaches children develop character through short poems. ''Snow Wonder'' (2008), is an easy reader that gives two children's account of the day after waking to find snow on a wintry day. |
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Ghigna’s approach to writing is one of total abandonment since this tends to bring him the best ideas. This process allows his ideas to take him where they want to go and from these he takes the ones that "generate enough heat and excitement". Ghigna finds the element of "voice" by imagining himself "whispering a big secret to someone special", beginning with the magical words "Now listen to this ..." (Ghigna, ''Importance of Voice'', p. 3). |
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Ghigna's published work includes several poetic tributes (odes) to Alabama icons such as Jesse Owens and Bear Bryant. This tribute to Coach Bryant was published in the ''Birmingham-Post Herald'' following the death of the University of Alabama's legendary coach in 1983. |
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PAUL "BEAR" BRYANT |
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He led his crimson troops |
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Across two decades on the field; |
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More than a coach, or a myth, or a man, |
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He leaned against each goal post, |
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A proud symbol of his sport, |
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His chiseled chin catching the sun, |
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His squinting stare peering out |
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From under his houndstooth hat |
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Searching through each autumn afternoon |
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For the silent pride inside his boys |
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Who fought for their gentleman general |
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Who believed in the spirit of man. |
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==Personal life== |
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He lives in [[Homewood, Alabama]] with his author-wife, [[Debra Ghigna]]. Their son, Chip Ghigna, is an artist. His studio is in [[Birmingham, Alabama]]. |
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==Honors and awards== |
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* Fellowship Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts; the Mary Roberts Reinehart Foundation; the Rockefeller Brothers Fund; and the Library of Congress (Laubenthal, 2007). |
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* Writer’s Digest, National Poetry Writing Competition for "Divers" (first place) |
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* International Sakira [[Haiku]] Writing Competition for "October" (first place) |
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* Pulitzer Prize nomination for ''Returning to Earth'' |
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* [[Helen Keller Literary Award]] |
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* American Booksellers Association Pick of the List for ''Tickle Day: Poems from Father Goose'' and for ''Riddle Rhymes'' |
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* Book-of-the-Month - Parents Club featured in Scholastic book |
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* ''Choice'' Book Awards |
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* [[SEBA Book Award]] |
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* Alabama Library Association Book Award - Juvenile |
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==See also== |
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{{Portal bar |Children's literature |Poetry }} <!-- delete the word "bar" if there are enough ordinary See also --> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} |
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}} |
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;Citations |
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* Teague, Christopher (2008). "The World's Shortest Poem (Kid's Lit): First it was fleas, but now it's personal". ''Inkwell Newswatch''. Retrieved 2009-03-18 [http://www.fwointl.com/artman/exec/view.cgi?archieve=22&num=629] |
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* DeVillers, Julie. "Charles Ghigna: Interview by Julie DeVillers". [http://charlesghighna.com/interview2.html]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} |
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* Charles Ghigna: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) [http://charlesghighna.com/fgfaq.html]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} |
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* "Charles Ghigna" (2008). "This Goodly Land. Author Information of Charles Ghigna". Retrieved 2009-03-18 [https://web.archive.org/web/20080513214846/http://www.alabamaliterarymap.org:80/author.cfm?AuthorID=75] |
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* Ghigna, Charles (2008). "The Importance of Voice (Kid's Lit): Now listen to this ... tell your tells truthfully". ''Inkwell Newswatch'' Retrieved 2009-03-18 [http://www.fwointl.com/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=20&num=498] |
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* Jesus, D. & London, M. (January 2008). "Goose Cooking: And his gaggle grows gargantuan". ''Inkwell Newswatch''. Retrieved 2009-03-18 [https://web.archive.org/web/20160114043845/http://www.fwointl.com/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=22&num=721] |
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==External |
==External links== |
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* {{official website |charlesghigna.com }} |
* {{official website |charlesghigna.com }} |
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* {{YouTube|DBsLzlkCh1A|Charles Ghigna (Father Goose) – PBS interview and school visit}} (audio-video) |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160114043844/http://www.fwointl.com/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=22&num=629 The World's Shortest Poem] |
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* [http://www.wbhm.org/songs/ghignaspoetry.mp3 NPR Interview] (audio; may be dead) |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160114043845/http://www.fwointl.com/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=22&num=721 Interview] |
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* [http://www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/degrum/public_html/html/research/findaids/DG1054f.html Charles Ghigna Papers] in the [[De Grummond Children's Literature Collection]] |
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* [http://lccn.loc.gov/n91106451 Charles Ghigna]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at [[Library of Congress]] Authorities — with 45 catalog records |
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{{Authority control}} <!-- |GND=157348313 altho same VIAF bundle is only a nameholder --> |
{{Authority control}} <!-- |GND=157348313 altho same VIAF bundle is only a nameholder --> |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:People from Bayside, Queens]] |
[[Category:People from Bayside, Queens]] |
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[[Category:People from Queens, New York]] |
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[[Category:People from Homewood, Alabama]] |
[[Category:People from Homewood, Alabama]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:American children's poets]] |
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[[Category: Poets from Alabama]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:59, 7 December 2024
Charles Ghigna | |
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 Charles Ghigna | |
| Born | Charles Ghigna August 25, 1946 Bayside, Queens, New York City, US |
| Pen name | Father Goose |
| Occupation | Poet, children's author |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Poetry, children's literature |
| Spouse | Debra Ghigna |
| Children | Chip Ghigna |
| Website | |
| www | |
Charles Ghigna (/'gɪnˈjə/) (born August 25, 1946), known also as Father Goose is an American poet and author of children's and adults' books. He has written more than 5,000 poems and 100 books.[1]
Ghigna was born in Bayside, Queens. His parents relocated to Fort Myers, Florida when he was five.[2] Ghigna graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1968 and a Master of Education degree in 1970. In 1974, he became a poet-in-residence and started teaching creative writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA).[1] He subsequently worked on the children's television show Cabbages and Kings and in 1979 taught creative writing at Samford University.[1]
Ghigna's first book of poetry, Returning to Earth, was published in 1989. He published his first children's poetry books in 1992, before leaving ASFA the following year and taking up writing for children full-time.[1]
Ghigna lives in Homewood, Alabama with his wife, the author Debra Ghigna. Their son, Chip Ghigna, is an artist.[2][3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d White, Cynthia Quinn (September 23, 2019). "Charles Ghigna". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
- ^ a b "Frequently asked questions (FAQs)". Charles Ghigna - Father Goose. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
- ^ Matthews, Michelle (July 17, 2019). "Alabama's 'Father Goose' is as prolific a poet as ever". Advance Local Alabama. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
