Sharing and Caring: Lovely to hear from fans around the world

I am a 2nd grade teacher working at a school in Anaheim, California.  This is my 20th year at the same school and mostly in 2nd grade. Our school is a title 1 and the majority of our students come from low income families.  My school is located in the inner city of Anaheim.  Through the years, my students have encountered many things that are too painful to discuss.  However, through it all, they still come to school with the eagerness and desire to learn.  As a teacher, I believe in instilling my students with kindness, love and empathy for others.  Last year, we had a great opportunity to connect with a third grade class from Nigeria using Empatico as our platform.  It was an amazing experience, we shared stories about our cultures, school climate and classroom. Our students (even with the small amount that they have) and myself contributed in sending away a care package (filled with jumprope, cards, Hotwheel cars, games, and Disneyland items) to our partner class.  It was so heartwarming to see it captured on video when they opened it up.  It brought tears to my eyes and to some of my students.  In the end, we both sang a farewell song.  My students (now in third grade) still remind me of the amazing experience that they had last year and said that they are showing kindness to others on the playground.  I witnessed sharing and caring amongst my class and that was the message I wanted to spread.

I just wanted to share this with you because I recently came across you book, Four Feet, Two Sandals and it touches my heart.  Thank you for writing such a riveting and heartfelt story. I hope to read it to my students soon.

Dear Karen,

This book is my all time favorite that I read to my grandchildren.

After 60 yrs of marriage we have downsized, but I kept this wonderful book.

Just want to let you know that I am still touched by the message and Floyd Cooper’s illustrations are beautiful.

Thank you for enriching lives and promoting cultural understanding l

In this challenging time it’s more important than ever.

  Grateful for you,