Our Children Can Soar!

Here are some photos from the book-signing event at Books of Wonder this afternoon.  I missed most of the panel discussion, but arrived in time to hear Shadra joke about choosing the life of an illustrator “for the fame and money!”  It’s obvious when you look at their work that these illustrators make art for children because they LOVE what they do.  Afterward we went to The Cafeteria and filled up on soul food–I should have stopped after the burger and mac & cheese spring roll (yes, deep fried mac & cheese!), but instead ordered dessert–the BIGGEST slice of red velvet cake I have EVER seen!  It’s sitting here next to me b/c I couldn’t eat more than a few bites.  Shadra’s mother is a high school counselor, so we talked for a while about the new Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, and his “turnaround” model for failing schools (where all teachers, janitors, and cafeteria staff are let go in order to bring in an entirely new set of adults).  It’s so interesting to hear the perspective of teachers, especially since their point of view is often so different than the view articulated by Duncan and others on the talk show circuit.  I wish I could find a way to teach one literature class at a local high school, maybe AP English…I want to keep teaching, just not full-time.  Anyway, hope you’re enjoying your weekend!

Leo & Diane Dillon, E.B. Lewis, & Shadra Strickland

Pat Cummings

Eric Velasquez & Cozbi A. Cabrera

Shadra & her mom, Ms. Dorothea Strickland