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Happy New Year!
My first book? "Wait Til the Moon is Full" by Margaret Wise Brown. Her name was Alberta Johnson, our school librarian. She spoke as all educated colored women spoke in our part of rural Louisiana, with a melodic sensibility that allowed every syllable its legato due. "Heeya you awr Pamela," she demanded and shoved a book into my hands. It seemed to cry (or maybe it squealed) as I opened to its middle part. "Oooh, did they paint these pictures? Look at em!" Mrs. Johnson stood there with a peculiar almost knowing smile. It seemed she knew I'd share this book with my four siblings. We read it everyday and chime in southern chorus, "Wait chile wait, wait til the moon is full chile!" I still love that book. I often think of Mrs. Johnson's knowing smile. I think she knew I'd grow up to be a lover of children's books and would encourage encourage this love with early learners. And so I have. I created a literacy program, MyLMNOP. I share books and music with early learners in inner city Atlanta. The expressive language and vocabulary building that goes on is truly a blessing. AND THEY WILL FOREVER BE LOVERS OF BOOKS!
I was reading before I started school - as the youngest of four girls, I was taught by them to know my letters and eventually words in primers like the Dick and Jane books. But one of my favorites I chose on my own was the Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. My mom shared her favorite with me...Water Babies by Kingsley. But my all time favorite author - whose books I have collected - is Louisa Mae Alcott, and Little Women is the book I credit for starting on me on my road to writing.
The first book that made a lasting impression on me was Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey. Even though I couldn't read by myself yet, I felt a mysterious power from its pages -- the combination of the dreamy watercolors and the precise details of the prose, creating this place of deep summer. I loved suspense of the coming storm and the melancholy of the family leaving the island at the end of vacation. Also, Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Eveline Ness was a significant early book for me. I used to try to copy the evocative, sketchy drawings. I felt close to Sam because I, too, blurred fantasy and reality. Stories from my imagination seemed very real to me. Sam was even my imaginary friend for awhile. Actually, I think she still is. Happy New Year and thanks to the Teaching Authors for their (many) contributions.
The first New Book I can remember is “Curl Up Small” by Sandol Stoddard Warburg and Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. It’s a pivotal book for me for a few reasons; first it was given to me by my grandmother whom I was very fond of and only got to know briefly, next it’s about nature, cycles and quietness and filled with rich and sensitive illustrations. Perhaps the book influenced all the nature linked art I create today. For a view of books cover visit my blog at: http://bit.ly/jOIyUn
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Everyone needs a book for the new year! Thanks for doing this!
ReplyDeleteMy first book? "Wait Til the Moon is Full" by Margaret Wise Brown. Her name was Alberta Johnson, our school librarian. She spoke as all educated colored women spoke in our part of rural Louisiana, with a melodic sensibility that allowed every syllable its legato due. "Heeya you awr Pamela," she demanded and shoved a book into my hands. It seemed to cry (or maybe it squealed) as I opened to its middle part. "Oooh, did they paint these pictures? Look at em!" Mrs. Johnson stood there with a peculiar almost knowing smile. It seemed she knew I'd share this book with my four siblings. We read it everyday and chime in southern chorus, "Wait chile wait, wait til the moon is full chile!" I still love that book. I often think of Mrs. Johnson's knowing smile. I think she knew I'd grow up to be a lover of children's books and would encourage encourage this love with early learners. And so I have. I created a literacy program, MyLMNOP. I share books and music with early learners in inner city Atlanta. The expressive language and vocabulary building that goes on is truly a blessing. AND THEY WILL FOREVER BE LOVERS OF BOOKS!
ReplyDeleteI was reading before I started school - as the youngest of four girls, I was taught by them to know my letters and eventually words in primers like the Dick and Jane
ReplyDeletebooks. But one of my favorites I chose on my own was the Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. My mom shared her favorite with me...Water Babies by Kingsley.
But my all time favorite author - whose books I have collected - is Louisa Mae Alcott, and Little Women is the book I credit for starting on me on my road to writing.
The first book that made a lasting impression on me was Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey. Even though I couldn't read by myself yet, I felt a mysterious power from its pages -- the combination of the dreamy watercolors and the precise details of the prose, creating this place of deep summer. I loved suspense of the coming storm and the melancholy of the family leaving the island at the end of vacation. Also, Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Eveline Ness was a significant early book for me. I used to try to copy the evocative, sketchy drawings. I felt close to Sam because I, too, blurred fantasy and reality. Stories from my imagination seemed very real to me. Sam was even my imaginary friend for awhile. Actually, I think she still is. Happy New Year and thanks to the Teaching Authors for their (many) contributions.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe first New Book I can remember is “Curl Up Small” by Sandol Stoddard Warburg and Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. It’s a pivotal book for me for a few reasons; first it was given to me by my grandmother whom I was very fond of and only got to know briefly, next it’s about nature, cycles and quietness and filled with rich and sensitive illustrations. Perhaps the book influenced all the nature linked art I create today. For a view of books cover visit my blog at: http://bit.ly/jOIyUn
ReplyDelete