This One's For You Grandma

My Grandma Dorothy would have been a hundred years old this Monday. Had she not died five years ago, undoubtedly there would be a family gathering to honor the mighty matriarch of our family this weekend. Although a tiny woman standing at mere five feet, her legacy in life as in death is enormous. The daughter of Russian immigrants, born and raised in Philadelphia, she was a true patriot, a woman who valued education and did everything she could, even during hard times, to obtain one. Grandma was a hardworking, kind, fair, ethical, and optimistic woman. She held a degree in music, taught piano, was a children’s librarian and kindergarten teacher, supportive wife and mother of four. An avid reader and book lover throughout her life, she instilled this passion in all of her children and grandchildren.

When I brought Matt, my future husband (and English major) home our last year of college, the three of us went to dinner. During the meal, they spent almost the whole time discussing their favorite authors and works of literature. She commented to me later when we were alone, that although he was not Jewish, she knew he was a good man because he liked to read.

Grandma went blind in her 80’s and one of the first things she did was sign up to receive books on tape through the mail from the Braille Institute each month. Nothing was going to stop her from reading. When I was teaching, she came into my classroom to help kids read. Grandma would sit with a child, one at a time and have them to read to her. When they came to a word they didn’t know, and needed help, they knew to spell it for her because she could not see it.

Towards the end of her life, Grandma had to finally admit to herself she could no longer live alone and moved into a retirement home. She talked to me of writing a book for children about retirement homes and assisted living, explaining to children why their grandparents live there and what to expect when visiting. Although the book was never written, and she developed Alzheimer’s disease, no doubt, it would have been a wonderful learning tool for kids. A blind widow in her late eighties, never looking for pity, still helping children read.

Sunday our family will take the day and meet for lunch to celebrate her 100th birthday. And I know that everyday I read a book to my children, I am celebrating her memory.

Happy Birthday Grandma. This one's for you.

A Meaningful Back to School

Make this year’s back to school season about more than just school shopping. If you are out buying school supplies or new clothes, swing by a bookstore and pick up a copy of Students on Strike: Jim Crow, Civil Rights, Brown and Me, by John Stokes.

Stokes gives a first hand account of his involvement in the secret planning and execution of a student walk out from their all black school in Virginia in 1951. Students bravely protested horrific conditions of their school including the dilapidated building, extreme overcrowding, and lack of indoor plumbing. This student strike was one of the events that led to going through the courts to change an unjust system, eventually resulting in the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education.

Now families can visit the Brown v Board of Education National Historic Site, an interactive museum located in the building which was formerly Monroe Elementary school, one of four black elementary schools in Topeka Kansas. Visitors watch a movie in the auditorium which explains events that led up to the case before going into the three other galleries of exhibits and the bookstore. Don’t miss a walk through the Hall of Courage, where one can get a sense of what it must have felt like to have been discriminated against going to school.

There is no cafe and food is not allowed in the building, so plan your visit accordingly.

The hours are 9-5 daily. Admission is free, however, there is a donation box located inside.

Other recommendations:

I am Rosa Parks Rosa Parks (ages 4-8)

Roll of Thunder Her My Cry, Mildred Taylor (5^th grade- adult)

Through my Eyes – Ruby Bridges (2^nd grade - adult)

A Story with Courage, Brains and Heart

Over 30 years before penicillin was discovered, or scotch tape, bubble gum or ballpoint pens were invented. Eight years before Model T Fords started rolling off the assembly line. And one year before Walt Disney was born. The American Flag had 45 stars and women would still have to fight another 20 years to cast their first ballot. The year was 1900.

This was the year L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published, and 108 years later it has not only earned it’s place as a classic piece of literature, but it’s iconic role in American culture can in no way be minimized. Like the group headed to the Emerald City, the book itself faced many obstacles. It was banned from American libraries in the 30’s and again in the late 50’s- 60’s.

If you haven’t already, treat yourself and your child to this clever modern fairytale. In addition, The Annotated Wizard of Oz by Baum and Michael Patrick Hearn, is a must for every home library. Hearn does a meticulous job of giving the reader background, interesting facts and little known knowledge, making the already rich experience of reading the Wizard of Oz, even richer. The nice sized photographs and illustrations are wonderful as well. Whether reading The Wonderful Wizard of Oz for the first time or rereading it, a trip down the road of yellow bricks, is always an adventure.

Picture This

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts is a one of a kind museum dedicated to children’s picture book art. This is no rinky-dink museum geared toward the same people who will go out of their way to see fun, pop culture type of roadside attractions. The museum is housed in an impressive 44,000 square foot building on over seven acres.

Opened in November 2002, the museum includes three galleries, an auditorium, gift shop and café. There is something for everyone. The bustling calendar of events includes guest speakers, story times, special events, performances, classes and workshops for children, parents, and educators. This month Pat the Bunny will be visiting the Café.

Founded in large part and named for Eric Carle, whose unmistakable colorful collage illustrations are known all over the world and can be seen in over 70 children’s books.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, his best known book since its release in 1969, epitomizes the perfect picture book in that the art is as important as the text.

Carle, 79, is still hard at work. When not at his home in Florida, working on his art, or speaking around the country, he still loves to visit the museum.
Carle is not interested in simply promoting his own work. Past exhibits include, The Wonderful Art of Oz, Picture Stories: A Celebration of African American Illustrators, and Maurice Sendak, Inside and Out.

Like a traditional art museum, the art is displayed on the walls in frames or in glass cases. However, nontraditionally, much of the art is hung at eye level of children, not their grown-ups. Although the kids may not touch the art in the galleries, there are plenty of opportunities to roll up their sleeves and unleash the artist within in other parts of the museum.

Located only 2-3 hours from New York City and Boston, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art should be included in any itinerary of a trip back east.

Prices are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors (65+), students, teachers and children 1-18. Babies under one are free.
The museum’s hours are Tuesday – Fridays 10-4, Saturdays 10-5 and Sundays 12-5.

Author spotlight: Kate Klise

If Donny and Marie are a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll, Kate Klise and her illustrator/sister Sarah Klise are a little bit Beatrix Potter and a little bit Judy Blume. Together they have written and illustrated 14 books. 4 are picture books for younger kids.

My personal favorite Klise picture book is Why do you Cry?:Not a Sob Story, Little Rabbit, who will be turning five wants to invite only friends to his birthday who do not cry, when he learns all of his friends still cry, he tells his mom she will be the only one at his birthday. But guess what...mom tells Little Rabbit something he did not know about her either.

7 of the Klise books are epistolary books, written through letters (and faxes, memos, newspaper articles, etc.) Regarding the Fountain is a great read aloud for all elementary school grades. A leaky drinking fountain at a school prompts the principal to begin the process of ordering a new one. The woman who is hired to build a new fountain consults the students. The kid’s input includes a fountain with an aquarium on the bottom where fish swim, and chocolate shakes that come out of the fountain, among other ideas. Will the school get a new drinking fountain? Will it be just a regular one? As in most of Klise books, kids can have fun solving the mystery while developing an appreciation for idioms and word play.

Klise's first two books Deliver Us From Normal and Far From Normal, that were written without collaborating with her sister, are more serious books, geared towards older kids. Klise describes one reason for writing these books was that she wanted to write about a big "beautifully chaotic" family. Much of her material when writing the Normal books may have been drawn from personal experience, as Klise is one of six kids. Regarding family Klise states, " I Like that there's no love as fierce as the love you feel for your family;that there's no one you feel more protctive of than the very same people who can drive you crazy." As usual, Klise always finds the perfect way to say how we all feel, seemlessly blending truth and humor.

As much as Klise finds beauty in chaos, she equally relishes peace and tranquility, living and writing from her 40 acre farm in Missouri. In addition to her sucessful career as a children's author she writes for People magazine and in 2001 wrote her first play, a musical called, (Really) Grim Fairy Tales.

Look for Klise's most recent release, Little Rabbit and the Nightmare and the first book in the soon to be released, Old Cemetery Series, Dying to Meet You - due out in Spring of 2009.

Peas and Carrots

So here I am! So here we are. The 21st century. Where mice aren't rodents or pets, and mail is delivered 24 hours a day. Where you can be perfectly healthy while dealing with a virus and cookies may not be edible. Yes, few could argue, its a whole new world. However, not everything has changed. By all accounts it seems we will still have viruses with sneezes and chicken noodle soup, and we will still have cookies with milk. And, no matter how much our world changes it will still be filled with children. Children who are born with the capacity to develop a deep love of reading.

So whether you are expecting your first child, a seasoned parent or a doting grandparent, welcome. Whether you are a teacher , touching the lives of your students, or a parent hosting a children's book club, welcome. Welcome fellow bookworms. Welcome to my blog (so proud to use the new word). Bookworm Dirt, the place to come to get information, read reviews, learn interesting and fun facts, and get, well, the dirt on the world of kids' books.

Call me old fashioned, but I still believe in this fast paced, technologically driven world, nothing can take the place of the simplicity and magic of snuggling up with an innocent child and a wonderful book. Children and books. They go together like peas and carrots.