Brod Bagert facts for kids

Brod Bagert (born in 1947) is a children's poet from New Orleans. He has written 19 books of poetry for kids, teenagers, and adults. His work has won many awards. These include the International Reading Association's Young Adults Choices award. He also received the Association of Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement Award. Brod Bagert lives in New Orleans with his wife, Debby. They have four children.

Brod Bagert's Story

Brod Bagert was born and grew up in New Orleans. When he was in high school, he studied old stories and plays. He learned them in their original Latin and Greek languages. He also enjoyed sports like wrestling and boxing. Bagert went to Loyola University in New Orleans. He studied there for both his first degree and his law degree. He finished law school in 1971.

After law school, Bagert worked as a trial attorney (a lawyer who goes to court) in Louisiana. He did this from 1971 to 1992. He was also an elected official from 1976 to 1980. In the summer of 1992, Bagert decided to stop being a lawyer. He chose to become a full-time poet instead.

His Time Before Poetry

In 1976, Brod Bagert was chosen to be on the New Orleans City Council. This council helps run the city. He was re-elected in 1977. While on the City Council, Bagert helped make Esplanade Avenue a historic district. This means it was protected for its important history.

He also helped create the New Orleans Home Mortgage Authority. This group helped people buy their first homes. They made it easier for families with lower incomes to get loans.

In October 1980, Bagert left the City Council. He then joined the Louisiana Public Service Commission. This group helps make sure public services, like electricity, work well for everyone.

After leaving his political jobs, Bagert continued to help people with utility issues. He worked to make sure power companies were fair to customers.

Becoming a Children's Poet

Brod Bagert's journey as a children's author started with his daughter. When she was eight, she asked him to write a poem. She wanted to perform it for her school's speaking program. To make the poem fun to perform, he wrote it as if an eight-year-old girl was speaking.

This was the start of something special. Bagert began writing poems in the voice of his audience. If he wrote for kindergartners, he used a kindergartner's voice. For sixth-graders, he wrote like a sixth-grader. This way, kids hear their own thoughts and feelings in his poems. His poems are great for performing out loud!

Brod Bagert's Books