Chaucer’s Books presents A Poetry Month Celebration, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 at 3321 State St., Santa Barbara.

The event will feature poet and artist Sharon Frances (“Ash and Feather”), young poets’ prize winner recognition from CalPoets in the Schools, and typewriter poetry via poets Simon Kiefer, Diana Raab, 2009-’11 Santa Barbara Poet Laureate David Starkey, and newly installed Santa Barbara Poet Laureate, George Yatchisin.

“Ash and Feather” — When Phoenix, age 14, learns of her parent Eagle’s cancer diagnosis, her shoulder blades start to itch. It’s the end of summer vacation, eighth grade starts next week, and Phoenix’s world collapses.

Every hall she runs down, every room she hides in, Phoenix feels herself changing, growing wings while Eagle may be dying. She builds a new nest from the comfort of grandparent Duck, counselor Hen, and sweetheart Ing.

But cancer is like a coyote howling in the hills waiting for Phoenix to land so it can destroy everything. If she is to rise from the ashes of this uncertain world — one of surgery and medicine, classes and teachers — Phoenix must learn to feel everything, and become the bird she always imagined.
 
“Ash and Feather” is an illustrated novel in verse for upper middle grade and early young adult readers.

The story is geared toward readers who are interested in supporting the mental health of tweens and teens; using literature and the arts to address cancer and other difficult experiences; reading magical realism, including animal/human hybrid characters.