Book. Memory. Promise: Never Forget

I am encouraged and so thankful that Lois Lowry has written Tree. Table. Book.  The octogenarian author of Number the Stars and The Giver, Ms. Lowry is an expert storyteller and isn’t afraid to take on controversial subjects.  She is a master at presenting hard situations and ethical problems to a young audience.  This most recent book spans generations and shows how stories can connect rather than tear people apart.  With story and memory, we can build bonds and begin to understand each other.  This connection between the old and young is crucial; it is the sticky hope that will ensure “never forget” leads to the promise of “never again.”

Making the Broken, Beautiful

When I read "Broken" by X. Fang and thought about a memory of something broken, I immediately thought about a glass jar that held cigars tightly packed in concentric circles. This jar was not something that I broke. No. But I can see it vividly even though this memory is close to 60 years old.  I thought the glass container was so beautiful, encircled by a red satin ribbon, holding something my father enjoyed – cigars.  When I saw it in the store, I knew I had to buy it for him for Father’s Day.  I was so pleased with myself and knew he would be proud of me.

One Last Pearl of Wisdom

Since the moment I met my mother-in-law, we talked about books.  We would speak of various characters as if we had actually met them and knew them like we knew family.  I loved that about her.  She was always exposing me to ideas and events that were new to me.  She used books as breadcrumbs to show me the way and expand my thinking.

Exploring the Wonder of David Wiesner

I have been teaching for two-thirds of my life, and I am now looking back over those years and thinking about how we learn and what makes some of us life-long learners.  I am especially interested in how some people love to read and some do not.  I can’t imagine my life without stories.  Since … Continue reading Exploring the Wonder of David Wiesner