News

This is where it all began.  The children of Malawi inspired the book Galimoto, still going strong after 26 years.  From the New York Times Best Books to a Reading Rainbow feature book, Galimoto is in Malawi to promote reading.This program run by volunteers from England, teachers starting community lending libraries will also establish reading circles to encourage adults to read out loud to children.  "They love Galimoto"  teachers report. The children of Malawi inspired the book now the book is inspiring reading in Malawi.  Full circle!

This little book about a big,difficult subject does it again, brought another smile from my inbox.  This one from Decatur, Georgia where a pastor reports he built a sermon around Four Feet Two Sandals. The theme, the courage to do justice, inspired a discussion of homelessness with adults and youth and led to a food and clothing drive.The pastor also reports that he learned "our adult population loves to be read to if it's a children's book."  But this is something I already knew. Picture books are a literary art form appreciated by all ages!

One thing about being a writer, you never know what might show up in your inbox that will make you smile.See this recent email from a teacher in Australia:Many people ask me should they read books about the Refugee Experience and to students from Refugee backgrounds- my answer is ‘ask your students’.  I have not had a class to date say no- the students enjoy making connections and telling part of their story.I read Four Feet Two Sandals to a secondary class of New Arrival Students, all but one of the class members [...]

 English as a Second Language Institute.Lancaster, PASpeaking. Writing exercises.Sharing.Stories are a part of who we are! It was a pleasure to part of this important  program with dedicated teachers and students.The English as a Second Language Institute uniquely provides administrators, classroom teachers, and ESL teachers with a critical understanding of how schools can take proactive steps at bridging the achievement gap as it relates to linguistically and culturally diverse learners. The 2016 ESL Institute a week long cultural exploration of our immigrant, refugee, and migrant populations in the United States.  In order to [...]

This is not the first time one of my books has inspired a song or even a play but this is the most recent.This makes my day!  Makes me want to dance.  Fills me with joy.I think I will go listen again!Check out the music and short video written and produced by school Terry Hess.https://vimeo.com/161375010 Here is what she has to say about the production:I was truly  inspired by your wonderful book.  My elementary music classes  looked at the illustrations, and then  assisted in coming up with the sentences, as the book was [...]

Lena and Feroza are in Sweden!Sometimes your characters get to go places you have never been!Who knows?  There's still time...  meanwhile I will revel in the possibilities, new readers and new friends.  Around the world, across cultures and language.