Having retired from the teaching profession after thirty years of instructing Middle School students in French, Mathematics and English, Jenny has found extra time to devote to her life-long passion of poetry writing.

Since early childhood when she was introduced to A.A Milne’ poetry, she has always been drawn to rhyming, rhythmic verse and still gravitates towards this genre in her own writing.  A prolific poet during her primary school years, Jenny has continued to find poetry an excellent medium for recording the observations, particular moments and feelings experienced in the course of our everyday lives.

Although Jenny has written poems on a diverse range of themes, the bulk of her creative energy finds an outlet in the hundreds of poems she has written through the eyes of a child.  Given that childhood is such a short and precious phase in the human life cycle, Jenny feels drawn to immortalising the ups and downs of being a child in a way that can be easily and fondly remembered.

Publications and Awards

Jenny’s children’s poetry book, Giggles and Niggles (Haddington Press) was published in 2007.

Jenny has had ten poems published in the School Magazine (NSW Department of Education and Training).

In 2011, two poems were published in Hopscotch (Jellibeanz Publishing).   In the same year Jenny’s primary picture book manuscript, Just a Dog was shortlisted in the CYA Conference Writing and Illustrating Competition.

In 2013 Jenny won first prize for her poem, “Cocoon” in Jackie Hosking’s  Spring Competition for Rhyming Poetry or Verse Stories for Children.

 

Email address: jennyerlanger@optusnet.com.au

 

 

Sample of Jenny’s work:

FOOD ART

This mashed potato sculpture

is a splendid work of art,

the best I’ve ever seen, I’d have to say

and every slice of carrot,

carved to look just like a heart,

you’ve set out in a most creative way.

 

The broccoli looks pretty

cut in perfect little flowers.

I love the way the peas spell out my name

and I know that you’ve been working

on this masterpiece for hours,

but I’m sorry, every night I feel the same.

 

It doesn’t really matter

what you do to all this food,

what handiwork you serve me up for tea.

I may seem quite ungrateful

and perhaps a little rude,

but, they still all taste like vegetables to me!

© Jenny Erlanger

ON YOUR MARKS

I’ve turned into jelly.

I don’t have the strength.

My stomach is stuck in my throat.

Why did I say I could swim a whole length?

I don’t even know how to float!

My goggles are loose,

should have tightened the strap

What if they happen to leak?

And what if my bathers just suddenly snap?

I’ll be laughed at the rest of the week.

What if I can’t make

the end of the race?

What if I give up all hope?

I’ll never be able to lift up my face

if I have to hold on to the rope.

My stomach is churning,

I’m still feeling bad,

I’m freezing and…there goes the gun!

I’m kicking,

I’m splashing,

I’m swimming like mad

Will I make it?

I have!

And I’ve won!

© Jenny Erlanger