Charles Ghigna
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Brief Biography
Charles Ghigna is originally from Bayside, New York, but relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, at a young age. His passion for writing poetry began in childhood and was encouraged by a high school teacher who urged him to keep a writing journal. Ghigna pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1967 and a master’s degree in education in 1970. He taught English in Fort Myers before moving to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1974, where he taught creative writing and served as poet-in-residence at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Ghigna's extensive literary career includes publishing poetry in national magazines, writing children's books, and receiving notable awards and nominations. He is affectionately known as "Father Goose" for his engaging school readings. He currently lives and writes in a treehouse in Homewood, Alabama, near Birmingham.
Publications
Plastic Tears. Philadelphia; Dorrance, 1973.
Stables; the Story of Christmas; Poems and Prints. Birmingham, Ala.; Creekwood Press, 1975.
Cockroach: A One-Act Play. Chicago; Contemporary Drama Service, 1977.
Divers and Other Poems. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1978.
Circus Poems. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1979.
Returning to Earth. Alabama; Livingston University Press, 1989.
Father Songs. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1989.
Good Dogs, Bad Dogs. Westport, CT; Hyperion, 1992.
Good Cats, Bad Cats. New York; Hyperion, 1992.
Wings of Fire. New York; Druid, 1992.
Best of 'Snickers,' Best of Times. Birmingham; Best of Times, 1994.
Speaking in Tongues: New and Selected Poems, 1974-1994. Alabama; Livingston University Press, 1994.
Tickle Day: Poems from Father Goose. New York; Hyperion, 1994.
The Day I Spent the Night in the Shelby County Jail. Alabama; Best of Times, 1994.
Riddle Rhymes. New York; Hyperion, 1995.
Animal Trunk: Silly Poems to Read Aloud. New York; Abrams, 1999.
Love Poems. Birmingham, Ala.; Crane Hill Publishers, 1999.
Mice are Nice. New York; Random House, 1999.
Plastic Soup: Dream Poems.Montgomery, Ala.; Black Belt, 1999.
See the Yak-Yak.New York; Random House, 1999.
Christmas Is Coming. Watertown, Mass.; Charlesbridge, 2000.
Haiku: The Travelers of Eternity. Montgomery, Ala.; River City Press, 2001.
One Hundred Shoes. New York; Random House, 2002.
The Alphabet Parade. Montgomery, Ala.; River City Press, 2002.
A Fury of Motion: Poems For Boys. New York; Boyds Mills Press, 2003.
Halloween Night: Twenty-One Spooktacular Poems. Philadelphia, Penn.; Running Press, 2003.
Animal Tracks: Wild Poems to Read Aloud. New York; Abrams, 2004.
Dylan the Smokey Dragon. Jackson, Miss.; Maris, West & Baker, 2005.
Halloween Night. New York; Scholastic, 2005.
If You Were My Valentine. New York; Simon & Schuster, 2005.
Love Poems: Mini Edition. Springville, Utah; Sweet Water Press, 2005.
Oh My, Pumpkin Pie! New York; Random House, 2005.
Greatest Hits: Poems 1974-2005. Ohio; Pudding House, 2006.
Halloween Night: Mini Edition. Philadelphia, Penn.; Running Press, 2006.
Love Poems. Birmingham, Ala.; Crane Hill Publishers, 2007.
Score! 50 Poems to Motivate and Inspire. New York; Abrams, 2008.
Snow Wonder. New York; Random House, 2008.
Barn Storm. New York; Random House, 2010.
Halloween Mice. uTales, 2011.
I See Winter. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Fall. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Summer. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
Can You Keep a Silly Secret. Indianapolis, Ind.; U.S. Kids, 2012.
Little Seeds. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Pick Up the Park: My Little Planet. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Recycling Is Fun: My Little Planet. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
The Magic Behind the Screen. Birmingham, Ala.; PBS/APT, 2012.
We Need Water. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Numbers In the Park. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
Shapes Are Everywhere. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
The Wonders of The Color Wheel. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
A Carnival of Cats. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2015.
Adeline Porcupine. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
A Windy Day in Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Bobby Bear. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Cuddle Bunny. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Hail To Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Lucy Goose. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Raindrops Fall All Around. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Sunshine Brightens Springtime. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
A Parade of Puppies. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2016.
Kitty Goes. Chicago, Ill.; Cricket Books, 2016.
Strange, Unusual, Gross & Cool Animals: Animal Planet. New York; Time Inc., 2016.
Addition. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Count By 10 to 100. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Dial 9-1-1: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Even Numbers. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
First Times. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2017.
Get Out, Stay Out: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Bee, Little Bee. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Cow, Little Cow. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Lion, Little Lion. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Puppy, Little Puppy. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Seal, Little Seal. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Squirrel, Little Squirrel. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Making 10. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Odd Numbers. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Plan and Prepare: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Stop Drop and Roll! Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Subtraction. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Alabama: My Home Sweet Home. Atlanta, Ga.; Whitman, 2018.
The Night the Forest Came To Town. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2018.
Who Can? Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2018.
Dear Poet: Notes To a Young Writer. Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2019.
Illusions: Poetry & Art for The Young At Heart. Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2019.
Stones: The Collected Short Poems of Charles Ghigna. Pennsylvania; Canopic, 2019.
Once Upon Another Time. Minneapolis, Minn.; Beaming Books, 2020.
A Poem Is a Firefly. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2021.
Artwords: Artists & Poets: Portraits In Verse Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2021.
Love Is Everything. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2021.
The Truth About Trees. Mobile, Ala.; Negative Capability Press, 2021.
Fetch Cat Fetch. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2022.
Little Hearts. New York; Red Comet Press, 2022.
The Father Goose Treasury of Poetry For Children. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2023.
Bound To Dream: An Immigrant Story. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2024.
The Magic Box: A Book of Opposites. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2024.
Southern Bred: A Memoir of Poems. Chicago, Ill.; Central Avenue Publishing, 2025.
Sweet Dreams: Moon Poems. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2025.
Stables; the Story of Christmas; Poems and Prints. Birmingham, Ala.; Creekwood Press, 1975.
Cockroach: A One-Act Play. Chicago; Contemporary Drama Service, 1977.
Divers and Other Poems. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1978.
Circus Poems. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1979.
Returning to Earth. Alabama; Livingston University Press, 1989.
Father Songs. Alabama; Creekwood Press, 1989.
Good Dogs, Bad Dogs. Westport, CT; Hyperion, 1992.
Good Cats, Bad Cats. New York; Hyperion, 1992.
Wings of Fire. New York; Druid, 1992.
Best of 'Snickers,' Best of Times. Birmingham; Best of Times, 1994.
Speaking in Tongues: New and Selected Poems, 1974-1994. Alabama; Livingston University Press, 1994.
Tickle Day: Poems from Father Goose. New York; Hyperion, 1994.
The Day I Spent the Night in the Shelby County Jail. Alabama; Best of Times, 1994.
Riddle Rhymes. New York; Hyperion, 1995.
Animal Trunk: Silly Poems to Read Aloud. New York; Abrams, 1999.
Love Poems. Birmingham, Ala.; Crane Hill Publishers, 1999.
Mice are Nice. New York; Random House, 1999.
Plastic Soup: Dream Poems.Montgomery, Ala.; Black Belt, 1999.
See the Yak-Yak.New York; Random House, 1999.
Christmas Is Coming. Watertown, Mass.; Charlesbridge, 2000.
Haiku: The Travelers of Eternity. Montgomery, Ala.; River City Press, 2001.
One Hundred Shoes. New York; Random House, 2002.
The Alphabet Parade. Montgomery, Ala.; River City Press, 2002.
A Fury of Motion: Poems For Boys. New York; Boyds Mills Press, 2003.
Halloween Night: Twenty-One Spooktacular Poems. Philadelphia, Penn.; Running Press, 2003.
Animal Tracks: Wild Poems to Read Aloud. New York; Abrams, 2004.
Dylan the Smokey Dragon. Jackson, Miss.; Maris, West & Baker, 2005.
Halloween Night. New York; Scholastic, 2005.
If You Were My Valentine. New York; Simon & Schuster, 2005.
Love Poems: Mini Edition. Springville, Utah; Sweet Water Press, 2005.
Oh My, Pumpkin Pie! New York; Random House, 2005.
Greatest Hits: Poems 1974-2005. Ohio; Pudding House, 2006.
Halloween Night: Mini Edition. Philadelphia, Penn.; Running Press, 2006.
Love Poems. Birmingham, Ala.; Crane Hill Publishers, 2007.
Score! 50 Poems to Motivate and Inspire. New York; Abrams, 2008.
Snow Wonder. New York; Random House, 2008.
Barn Storm. New York; Random House, 2010.
Halloween Mice. uTales, 2011.
I See Winter. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Fall. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Summer. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
I See Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2011.
Can You Keep a Silly Secret. Indianapolis, Ind.; U.S. Kids, 2012.
Little Seeds. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Pick Up the Park: My Little Planet. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Recycling Is Fun: My Little Planet. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
The Magic Behind the Screen. Birmingham, Ala.; PBS/APT, 2012.
We Need Water. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2012.
Numbers In the Park. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
Shapes Are Everywhere. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
The Wonders of The Color Wheel. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2014.
A Carnival of Cats. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2015.
Adeline Porcupine. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
A Windy Day in Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Bobby Bear. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Cuddle Bunny. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Hail To Spring. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Lucy Goose. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Raindrops Fall All Around. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
Sunshine Brightens Springtime. Mankato, Minn.; Capstone, 2015.
A Parade of Puppies. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2016.
Kitty Goes. Chicago, Ill.; Cricket Books, 2016.
Strange, Unusual, Gross & Cool Animals: Animal Planet. New York; Time Inc., 2016.
Addition. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Count By 10 to 100. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Dial 9-1-1: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Even Numbers. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
First Times. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2017.
Get Out, Stay Out: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Bee, Little Bee. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Cow, Little Cow. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Lion, Little Lion. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Puppy, Little Puppy. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Seal, Little Seal. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Little Squirrel, Little Squirrel. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Making 10. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Odd Numbers. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Plan and Prepare: Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Stop Drop and Roll! Fire Safety. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Subtraction. New York; Cantata Learning, 2017.
Alabama: My Home Sweet Home. Atlanta, Ga.; Whitman, 2018.
The Night the Forest Came To Town. Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2018.
Who Can? Victoria, B.C.; Orca, 2018.
Dear Poet: Notes To a Young Writer. Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2019.
Illusions: Poetry & Art for The Young At Heart. Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2019.
Stones: The Collected Short Poems of Charles Ghigna. Pennsylvania; Canopic, 2019.
Once Upon Another Time. Minneapolis, Minn.; Beaming Books, 2020.
A Poem Is a Firefly. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2021.
Artwords: Artists & Poets: Portraits In Verse Eugene, Ore.; Resource Publications, 2021.
Love Is Everything. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2021.
The Truth About Trees. Mobile, Ala.; Negative Capability Press, 2021.
Fetch Cat Fetch. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2022.
Little Hearts. New York; Red Comet Press, 2022.
The Father Goose Treasury of Poetry For Children. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2023.
Bound To Dream: An Immigrant Story. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2024.
The Magic Box: A Book of Opposites. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2024.
Southern Bred: A Memoir of Poems. Chicago, Ill.; Central Avenue Publishing, 2025.
Sweet Dreams: Moon Poems. Atglen, Penn.; Schiffer Kids, 2025.
Themes
Charles Ghigna, also known as "Father Goose," is a poet best known for his work in children's literature. He writes poems and books for children covering a wide range of topics that includes nature, humor, school, and more. He also writes poetry for adults.
Publisher
Alabama Authors of the 19th and 20th Centuries, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, http://AlabamaAuthors.org
Collection
Citation
Ghigna, Charles, “Charles Ghigna,” Alabama Authors of the 19th & 20th Centuries, accessed September 19, 2024, https://alabamaauthors.org/items/show/585.