Vardell & Wong

Sylvia Vardell and Janet S. Wong are celebrated educators, poets, and advocates for poetry in literacy instruction, best known as the co-creators of The Poetry Friday Anthology series and the Poetry Friday Power Books. Their collaborative work brings poetry into classrooms in meaningful ways, supporting literacy, creativity, and connection for students and teachers alike.

Janet S. Wong is an award-winning poet and author of more than 30 children’s books spanning poetry, picture books, and middle-grade fiction, and is the recipient of the prestigious 2021 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Her poetic voice blends humor, insight, and cultural richness, making poetry accessible and engaging for young readers.

Sylvia Vardell is a professor and children’s literature expert whose scholarship and teaching focus on literature and poetry for children and young adults. Together, Vardell and Wong have compiled and curated volumes that provide classrooms with rich, diverse collections of poems tied to themes, standards, and joyful reading experiences. Their work champions poetry as an integral part of vibrant literacy instruction and lifelong reading habits.