Kisses on the Wind

I picked up the book Kisses on the Wind at NCTE at the Candlewick Press booth.  There was something about this book that caught my eye... and I'm so glad it did!

     This is a wonderful story of a pioneer family that is leaving for Oregon and a little girl, Lydia, who is saying goodbye to her grandmother, who is staying behind.  The illustrations by Kathryn Brown (The Old Woman Who Named Things) are wonderful (especially the one of the grandmother laying by the pond with her granddaughter sailing a bark boat).  
     There are two parts that blew me away, "Then I hugged Grandma a long time.  I breathed her in deep so I would not forget.  I listened to her heartbeat and made my ears remember." and "Grandma reached into her apron pocket.  She pulled out a brown book and laid it in my hands. 'I wrote my stories down for you, Lydia.  When you miss me, you read them.'  I opened the book that Grandma had made and turned the pages.  Words floated by, Grandma's words.  Grandma's stories.  Stories she's told me since I was a baby.  I rubbed the smooth leather cover with my hands.  'Now you'll always be with me,' I said.  'And every day I will think of you and love you.'... 'And I'll be loving you,' said Grandma."
     This is a wonderful book.  I'm so glad I picked it up on my way out of the convention center! 

Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek

I picked up this book at NCTE and had it signed by Deborah Hopkinson (one of my favorite authors).  I was excited to add Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale to my already full carry-on!  But who can resist the sales on the last day in the exhibition hall?

     As the story goes... In 1816, Abraham Lincoln and his friend Austin traveled down to see Knob Creek after a rainstorm.  The creek was full after heavy rains and they decided to cross it on a log.  Abe fell into the swollen creek and his friend Austin saved his life.  Even as president, Abraham Lincoln remembered his friend and never forgot his promise to Austin--a promise to remember that day forever.

     I love this unique book.  Deborah Hopkinson and the illustrator, John Hendrix, create an interesting narrative... they draw you in through creative illustrations and wonderful storytelling.  I love the ending... 

     "Now we're coming to the last page.  About all that's left is to remind you of the moral of our story:  Listen to your mother and don't go near any swollen creeks.  WHAT?  Oh, you don't think that's really the point?  A mite weak, perhaps? Like Abe, a bit thin?

     Then how about this:  Remember Austin Golaher, because what we do matters, even if we don't end up in history books.

     Yes, let's remember Austine Gollaher, who, one day long ago, when no one else was there to see, saved Abe Lincoln's life.

     And without Abraham Lincoln, where would we be?

     But that's a story for another day.  Because ours, at last, is done." 

Check out Deborah Hopkinson's website:  http://www.deborahhopkinson.com

Poetry Party... NCTE

One of the sessions we attended at NCTE was called, "Poetry Party:  Celebrating 2009 NCTE Poetry Award Recipient Lee Bennett Hopkins."  They served sparkling cider, cookies, and amazing readings at this celebration.  Each of the attendees received a copy of Dear One: A Tribute to Lee Bennett Hopkins, a compilation of poetry by some of Lee's friends... whom he calls "Dear Ones." 
     Some of our favorite poets read their poetry in tribute to Mr. Hopkins... Jane Yolen, Georgia Heard, J. Patrick Lewis, Kristin O'Connell George, Heidi Mordhordst, Walter Dean Myers, Eileen Spinelli, Ralph Fletcher, Bobbi Katz, John Grandits, Janet Wong... the words, the poetry, the language, the laughter, the passion... it was an amazing tribute to man who has touched the lives of poets (young and old) with his brilliance and dedication of collecting poetry for children.  Walter Dean Myers said of Mr. Hopkins, "Good people in the field hold you feet to the fire!"  Isn't it the truth?  Ralph Fletcher said that Mr. Myers, "Embodies a life of living with passion."  Passion.  What's yours?

      In the back of the book we received, there is a wonderful quote by Lee Bennett Hopkins:  Poetry and I fit together.  I can't imagine being without it... It is the food and drink, it is all the seasons, it is the stuff of all existence.  It was so evident by the poets who read their words to their dear friend that he, indeed, has touched their lives.  It was one amazing tribute of words after another... story after story... poem after poem!  And Mr. Hopkins relished in each and every poem and story.

     This session was a reminder to me of the power of poetry and the extraordinary role it plays in the lives of our students... and how just a word, or two, or three can change a life!  
     What's your favorite Lee Bennett Hopkins' collection?  Here are a few of mine...

 

     

Recuperation...

Where did the week go?  Loved NCTE, so much to blog! 

     The best part was spending time with my friends Randi Allison and Troy Rushmore.  We stayed in a Bed and Breakfast about 1.5 miles south of the Convention Center (lots of walking).  I preferred to call it a Bed and ____ (noun) ... (pretend it's a MadLib and fill in the blank).  Obviously they hired someone to create their website and brochure that had never stayed there.  Could be such beautiful place with just a few touch ups, including a breakfast upgrade (rotten fruit in a bowl and dried bagels, really?) and perhaps a housekeeper who does bathrooms!  Note the "electrical chord" situation in one of our rooms in this picture (courtesy of Randi).  Nonetheless, we did laugh a lot... 
     We also ate well!  

     Thursday night... we were joined by Debbie M. at Mezza Luna, a great Italian Restaurant near our B & B.  The crowd was small on a Thursday and the owner/chef was so interesting.  Delicious (the gnocchi was amazing).  We had a great conversation with him about apprenticeship.  He was trained in his native Italy and obviously had a passion for food and his craft.  We enjoyed our meal (although who knew Philadelphia had a "bring your own" rule in many of their restaurants).  This was a great little neighborhood restaurant. 

     Friday night... we were looking for a nice little steak place near South Street and ended up going to Bellini Grill after a recommendation from a native Philadelphian that happened to see us wandering lost and confused.  The food was terrific!  A great recommendation (Veal Saltimbocca...yum!).  The restaurant was small and we ended up sharing a table for six with a family from Canada that was in town for the Philadelphia Marathon.  It was one of those times when you're thrown into a somewhat uncomfortable situation that ends up being such a great experience.  We even got the table for two next to us involved in our conversation... it was a delightful evening!

     Saturday night... a nice walk from the Convention Center to Fork.  We joined a small group of Stenhouse friends (editors Bill, Philippa, and Holly) and authors (Jeff A. and Terry T.).  It was nice to toast Conferring: The Keystone of Reader's Workshop.  After quite a long wait (and opening many doors) we were seated for a delightful meal in a rather "hip" restaurant.  This was a fun night... lots of laughing (especially when Randi's fish arrived with its head and wasn't filleted) and conversation (Oven roasted house-smoked pork shop, delicious) about life and learning.

     But Philly was more than food!  I'll be blogging a bit more about the more important things I learned throughout the week!

Philadelphia, Here we come...

Off to Philadelphia today for the NCTE conference.  Two of my colleagues are joining me and we're excited to see what the weekend holds... great learning, great friends, great food!  Randi, Troy, and I are looking forward to the conference and seeing a bit of Philly.  Staying in a Bed and Breakfast that was built in 1860!  Older than Laura Ingalls.  I'll try to blog a bit while I'm there and when I return!  Book signing on Friday at 12:30... 

Conferring: The Keystone of Reader's Workshop

Thanks to my fellow bloggers who have been gracious enough to welcome my new book, Conferring: The Keystone of Reader's Workshop to their blog.  Last night, my principal, assistant principal, and building resource teacher (and my beautiful wife) attended our local school board meeting where I was recognized and we went out for celebratory dinner at Union in Castle Rock, Colorado (a wonderful little bistro).  As we laughed and chatted and ate and shared wonderful fellowship, I looked around the table and counted wonderful colleagues as one of my many blessings!  Such support.

     So I wanted to acknowledge my fellow bloggers and tell them how much I appreciate their support as well.  There are interviews with me about the book on http://readingyear.blogspot.com and http://writebrainedteacher.blogspot.com  Always fun to think through your process and talk sincerely about your writing!  
     Also, http://snapshotsofmrsv.blogspot.com has done a lot of reflecting on her first read of the book and I so appreciate her thoughful response to what she's read so far.  I have enjoyed hearing what she has to say!

     Thanks bloggers!

     Tomorrow, I leave for NCTE in Philadelphia.  I'll be doing a book signing on Friday.  My teammates and friends, Randi Allison and Troy Rushmore, are heading to Philly with me.  Staying in a Bed and Breakfast that was built in 1860!  We're looking forward to connecting with friends and colleagues from around the country.  I can't wait to blog about my new learnings.  Of course, my students are excited that I get to see "Mary Poppins" on Friday.
     I asked my students to tell me one thing they'd like me to ask Ralph Fletcher if I run into him.  One of my girls said, "Please ask him if he'll come live with my family for a while!"  I was conferring with another third grade boy (who was reading Poetry Matters) and he said, "Ask him how he does it.  How does he write so that I hear his voice (even though I've never met him)?  And, how does he connect it all?  I'm sitting here reading this introduction and I'm hearing him in Marshfield Dreams and I'm hearing him in Twilight Comes Twice.  It's like, well, he's speaking to me and he's a friend.  Like he's right in this room asking me to write poetry.  It's like, to him, writing is the greatest gift he can give to his family, to me, to anyone..."  Amazing!
     So, count your blessings today.  We'll chat tomorrow, perhaps...

Tom Newkirk and Ellin Keene

Check out the PEBC's learning opportunities at http://www.pebc.org
     December 11th Tom Newkirk and Ellin Keene will copresent at the Winter Literacy Seminar.  Should be a great day of learning!