Today I read Sarah Stewart's and David Small's Caldecott Honor book, The Gardener, to a group of second graders. It's a lovely, lovely book set during the Great Depression when a loaf of bread only cost a nickel and Franklin Roosevelt was the president. The story is written in the form of letters from Lydia Grace who is sent to live with her Uncle Jim until her parents' economic situation improves.
Her uncle owns a bakery in New York and never smiles. But Lydia Grace, who loves gardening, fills his window boxes with flowers and his world with beauty and in the process attracts more and more customers to his languishing bakery. She even prepares a surprise for her uncle on the rooftop of their bakery by turning it into a charming garden. Uncle Jim still doesn't crack a smile, but he makes Lydia Grace a cake decorated with flowers - "the equal of one thousand smiles" she says. At the end, Lydia Grace gets a letter stating that her papa has a new job and she's going home. Before she boards the train, her Uncle Jim gives her a big, heartfelt hug.
At that point, I started crying and my students looked at me, wondering what was wrong. "It's nothing," I said. It's just that David Small's picture of Uncle Jim hugging her was filled with so much love and feeling and it reminded me of the last time I said goodbye to my dad. He'd hugged me the same way. His diabetes had gotten worse and my mom said that he sensed his end was near. Two months later he died in his sleep.
Picture books can speak to the heart in so many ways.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Looking Forward
The new year stretches before me like a smooth, untraveled road. Okay, that sounds a little cliche, but that's how I envision it- as a long road bordered by various attractions. Here are just a few things I'm looking forward to:
1. The publication of An Eyeball in My Garden, a collection of spooky poems written by the members of The Poets Garage, published by Marshall Cavendish. The official publication date is July 15th and we're so very excited. Johan Olander is the marvelous illustrator and Laura Wyncoop and Jennifer Judd our editors.
2. Retiring from teaching. It's early, but I can do it. While I love the kids and the books and believe strongly in the power of books and teachers to shape young lives, apparently our district doesn't feel quite the same way. Librarians seem to be expendable. I don't like working in 3 different schools for people who don't seem to feel that a library is important. So, this is the year - I think. I haven't made an official announcement yet, but I'm 99% certain.
3. Attending art school. If Robert has room in his atelier, I'll be studying art this fall. I may have to wait a bit, though, until he has an opening. That's okay. At least I'll be able to take an art class during the day instead of in the evening when I'm tired.
4. Writing, writing, writing. I want to write a collection of poems, some picture books and more novels. I have in mind a story about growing up in Motown and a few other ideas I'm excited about.
5. Running. If my poor feet can handle it, I'd like to run a half marathon. We'll see.
6. Travelling. Husband and I want to see something of the world - Greece, Italy, England and Spain. The world beckons.
That's my short list. What are you looking forward to in 2010?
1. The publication of An Eyeball in My Garden, a collection of spooky poems written by the members of The Poets Garage, published by Marshall Cavendish. The official publication date is July 15th and we're so very excited. Johan Olander is the marvelous illustrator and Laura Wyncoop and Jennifer Judd our editors.
2. Retiring from teaching. It's early, but I can do it. While I love the kids and the books and believe strongly in the power of books and teachers to shape young lives, apparently our district doesn't feel quite the same way. Librarians seem to be expendable. I don't like working in 3 different schools for people who don't seem to feel that a library is important. So, this is the year - I think. I haven't made an official announcement yet, but I'm 99% certain.
3. Attending art school. If Robert has room in his atelier, I'll be studying art this fall. I may have to wait a bit, though, until he has an opening. That's okay. At least I'll be able to take an art class during the day instead of in the evening when I'm tired.
4. Writing, writing, writing. I want to write a collection of poems, some picture books and more novels. I have in mind a story about growing up in Motown and a few other ideas I'm excited about.
5. Running. If my poor feet can handle it, I'd like to run a half marathon. We'll see.
6. Travelling. Husband and I want to see something of the world - Greece, Italy, England and Spain. The world beckons.
That's my short list. What are you looking forward to in 2010?
Sunday, January 3, 2010
2010
Happy New Year, everybody! The new decade is upon us, and how happy I am! The past decade was a toughie and in so many ways I'm glad it's behind me. Still, I cherish all my memories of my kids growing up. There were times when I grumbled about having to attend 3 or 4 winter concerts in one season, about weekend long wrestling tournaments spent sitting on hard bleachers, about too much time spent chauffeuring my kids to cello lessons and violin lessons, to orchestra rehearsals and Boy Scout meetings. About too little time for me. Still, looking back at it all now, I wouldn't change a thing. Our "boys" are now young men, off on their own and living in their own apartments, forging a life for themselves. If we do our job right, wrote Neil Gaiman, they leave us (not his exact words).
Yet I did make some time for myself. When I turned 40, I bought a gym membership and began working out. I built muscles I never knew possible. And it felt good. I also began taking drawing classes, something I have never regretted. I discovered I still loved to draw and found it relaxing, yet challenging. I still take drawing classes. Somebody who's proficient at his/her craft is forever a student of it. Or so I believe.
And if I hadn't spent all those hours sitting on the bleachers during my son's wrestling tournaments, I may not have found my way back into writing. Out of boredom, I began to compose poems during those tournaments. It helped pass the time. And after years of reading tons of children's books to my kids as well as my students, I decided to try writing my own. All those years of reading had developed my feel for plot, characterization, and setting. In short, for story.
Life is too brief to spend it regretting the past. All we can do is to make the best of what's happened and look forward to the future.
Yet I did make some time for myself. When I turned 40, I bought a gym membership and began working out. I built muscles I never knew possible. And it felt good. I also began taking drawing classes, something I have never regretted. I discovered I still loved to draw and found it relaxing, yet challenging. I still take drawing classes. Somebody who's proficient at his/her craft is forever a student of it. Or so I believe.
And if I hadn't spent all those hours sitting on the bleachers during my son's wrestling tournaments, I may not have found my way back into writing. Out of boredom, I began to compose poems during those tournaments. It helped pass the time. And after years of reading tons of children's books to my kids as well as my students, I decided to try writing my own. All those years of reading had developed my feel for plot, characterization, and setting. In short, for story.
Life is too brief to spend it regretting the past. All we can do is to make the best of what's happened and look forward to the future.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Five Things On a Friday
I have neglected this blog for far too long. Time to check in. Maybe I should call it quits until my life simmers down. Anyhow, here's what's been going on.
1. A librarian in our district retired at the end of November. Instead of hiring a replacement for her, as we all expected they would, the district decided to make the rest of us cover all her classes. Result: I'm now working in 3 libraries and have been saddled with 17 new classes in the middle of the year. Aaaarghhhh!
2. I've been working hard on cleaning up a library that's been neglected for the last 5 years - perhaps even longer. Lots of junk has accumulated and I'm trying to declutter it. I came across 4 tape recorders (only 1 worked), a broken book-binding machine, 8 free mugs from a library supply company (two of which had the skeletal remains of spider crickets in them - ugh), boxes and boxes of spiral book binders, a complete set of childhood biographies of famous Americans that nobody has read in ages, a set of Biography Now (most of them published in the 60s and 70s) and all sorts of useless racks, cd holders, cassette tapes and things that I can only describe as worthless crap. The collection is pretty solid, although many of the books need to be replaced due to wear. I am also reconfiguring the layout of the library and replacing the dusty, uninspiring pictures with more kid friendly artwork and posters. The administration is trying to get us a nice bright area rug and I'm hoping we can get the library a fresh coat of paint sometime over the next few months. It's a challenge but it's gratifying to see how much better the library is already looking. I'll take a picture and post it soon.
3. After weeks of mild fall weather, winter descended on us in a furious blast of arctic air. After enjoying temperatures in the 50s, we're now shivering! Brrrrrr!
4. Speaking of shivering, I'm currently reading Maggie Stiefvater's YA novel, Shiver. What a beautifully written and intriguing love story. Hat's off to Maggie!
5. Anybody know what to get a husband who claims he has everything he needs? I wish I could knit.I'd make him a scarf and gloves. I used to knit and crochet but it's been years and I've forgotten how, sigh.
Enjoy the weekend, everybody!
1. A librarian in our district retired at the end of November. Instead of hiring a replacement for her, as we all expected they would, the district decided to make the rest of us cover all her classes. Result: I'm now working in 3 libraries and have been saddled with 17 new classes in the middle of the year. Aaaarghhhh!
2. I've been working hard on cleaning up a library that's been neglected for the last 5 years - perhaps even longer. Lots of junk has accumulated and I'm trying to declutter it. I came across 4 tape recorders (only 1 worked), a broken book-binding machine, 8 free mugs from a library supply company (two of which had the skeletal remains of spider crickets in them - ugh), boxes and boxes of spiral book binders, a complete set of childhood biographies of famous Americans that nobody has read in ages, a set of Biography Now (most of them published in the 60s and 70s) and all sorts of useless racks, cd holders, cassette tapes and things that I can only describe as worthless crap. The collection is pretty solid, although many of the books need to be replaced due to wear. I am also reconfiguring the layout of the library and replacing the dusty, uninspiring pictures with more kid friendly artwork and posters. The administration is trying to get us a nice bright area rug and I'm hoping we can get the library a fresh coat of paint sometime over the next few months. It's a challenge but it's gratifying to see how much better the library is already looking. I'll take a picture and post it soon.
3. After weeks of mild fall weather, winter descended on us in a furious blast of arctic air. After enjoying temperatures in the 50s, we're now shivering! Brrrrrr!
4. Speaking of shivering, I'm currently reading Maggie Stiefvater's YA novel, Shiver. What a beautifully written and intriguing love story. Hat's off to Maggie!
5. Anybody know what to get a husband who claims he has everything he needs? I wish I could knit.I'd make him a scarf and gloves. I used to knit and crochet but it's been years and I've forgotten how, sigh.
Enjoy the weekend, everybody!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now (Live, 1970)
One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite songbirds.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Random Thoughts
It's been far too long since I've updated this blog. Here are a few random thoughts.
1. The last few weeks have been stressful. One of the librarians in our district is retiring November 20th and the administration isn't replacing her, putting a lot of stress (and work) on the rest of us. Now we'll have lots and lots of classes, but no time to attend to our libraries and their collections. So frustrating! I'll be working in three different schools with many new students. This is one of the worst educational decisions I've ever witnessed.
2. It's fall, my favorite season, and this year, fall lingers in all its radiant, glowing colors. It's been a pleasure driving home along the parkways and going for walks and runs with the leaves floating down around me.
3. My niece, Holly, will be celebrating her Sweet 16th birthday. How did she get this old?
4. I immerse myself in my novel for weeks or even months at a time, but find it refreshing to come up for air and a taste of poetry from time to time. I just finished writing a poem I really like, for a change.
5. Monday was my mother's birthday. She would have been 81. I still miss her.
1. The last few weeks have been stressful. One of the librarians in our district is retiring November 20th and the administration isn't replacing her, putting a lot of stress (and work) on the rest of us. Now we'll have lots and lots of classes, but no time to attend to our libraries and their collections. So frustrating! I'll be working in three different schools with many new students. This is one of the worst educational decisions I've ever witnessed.
2. It's fall, my favorite season, and this year, fall lingers in all its radiant, glowing colors. It's been a pleasure driving home along the parkways and going for walks and runs with the leaves floating down around me.
3. My niece, Holly, will be celebrating her Sweet 16th birthday. How did she get this old?
4. I immerse myself in my novel for weeks or even months at a time, but find it refreshing to come up for air and a taste of poetry from time to time. I just finished writing a poem I really like, for a change.
5. Monday was my mother's birthday. She would have been 81. I still miss her.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
An Autumn Windfall
I've been informed that the PTA is concerned about the state of our library. All I can say is, hooray! I've been concerned for a long time now. When I first started working in my present library, I told our principal it was the most stripped down collection I'd ever seen. And it was. I couldn't believe it!
I pleaded with the administration for more funding. And they did increase our funding, but only by $1,000. which brings us about even with the level of funding we received for books in 1992. Very sad.
Anyhow, the PTA wants to help and is going to donate about $1,600 for new books. I was under the impression that I'd have to purchase all the books from Scholastic but today they told me no, that I could order the books from a library book company (such as Follett or BTSB). So, now I'm really excited! Since my wish lists always far exceed my funding, I have plenty of ideas on how to spend this little windfall. Three cheers for the PTA!!!
Our annual pumpkin decorating contest is underway and this year's entries are the best ever! I'll post some pictures later this week, if I can figure out my new camera.
I pleaded with the administration for more funding. And they did increase our funding, but only by $1,000. which brings us about even with the level of funding we received for books in 1992. Very sad.
Anyhow, the PTA wants to help and is going to donate about $1,600 for new books. I was under the impression that I'd have to purchase all the books from Scholastic but today they told me no, that I could order the books from a library book company (such as Follett or BTSB). So, now I'm really excited! Since my wish lists always far exceed my funding, I have plenty of ideas on how to spend this little windfall. Three cheers for the PTA!!!
Our annual pumpkin decorating contest is underway and this year's entries are the best ever! I'll post some pictures later this week, if I can figure out my new camera.
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