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I love libraries.  And I love to see young people using their passion, taking initiative, doing something to make a difference.  See what Lori has done:Buliding a little free library dedicated to Cathy Horowitz, my amazing mother and elementary school librarian for 35 years, took crowdsourced fundraising (we raised $1700!) and the collective effort of the neighborhood. I moved to Black St in East Liberty in the summer of 2013. Once I became involved in the community garden in my new neighborhood, I realized how many children there are around the area, and [...]

Every once in a while I am asked where Beatrice is now.Wendy Stone the photographer for this book I wrote after visiting Kenya sees Beatrice about once a year.Here is what she has to say:I see Beatrice everyyear and I am in close contact with her via email. I am going to Kenyain February and I will be seeing her then.She is doing so well. She graduatedfrom Utali Hospitality School last year, after a two year course incooking and hotel hospitality. She was unable to be accepted inUniversity for nursing or teaching since her high [...]

Look what another friend surprised me with over the holidays.  If you read my blog you will not be surprise to know that puppets(I  used to make them and put on puppet shows with my children), poetry and found object art are a few of my favorite things.Books are too and Ashley Bryan is one of my favorite writers.So I feel like he created this book just for me.  And my friend knows me well!Ashley Bryan's Puppets  is lush with imagination and creativity.   His puppets are created from bits of sea glass [...]

It's kind of dreary here on the rez.  Rainy, damp, cold.Difficult to get going on a day like today.Then this bit of sunshine from a School Librarian:Although my school is in central Illinois, my 3rd grade students found much in common with Facile and his family.  Our school population is  76 % free or reduced lunch and   61% minority.  The themes of hope and determination really resonated with my kids.  They know these are the characteristics needed to be successful, and this book is an excellent example of culturally responsive literature.  Thanks, Karen!It's nice to hear from readers and their [...]

A friend of mine gave me a gift last week.  She took me to see the fairy houses hidden along the Tranquility Trail in Frick Park Pittsburgh.  There have been been ten reportedly found.  We saw about five. Five tiny dwellings harbored at the base of trees and cuddled in logs.  Magic!And unexpected!  I am usually a passionate observer of nature.  I found that while exploring the fairy world I suddenly saw things I had not noticed in ways I had not seen them before. And imagine!  My imagination has been captured.  Who built [...]

Even on the Rez...stockings are hung,Hoping for a white Christmas,A bazaar every weekend at churches and schools and community centers,Cactuses are lit up,Colored lights shine from out on the mesaand closer to home.And my Reena-dear 😉 enjoys a Christmas treat.Wishing you Joy and Peace for the Holidays.