Like many, I was and am sad that Irish poet Seamus Heaney died on August 30. I’m re-reading his poems, savoring again his attention to nature, his Irish pride and his deep humanity. Here’s a wonderful article about his work and his life. I love the last lines, a quote from an interview in which he said, “poetry tries to help you to be a truer, purer, wholer being.”
All over the country, students and teachers are beginning a new academic year, all hoping it will be a good year. Enthusiastic applause for all the creative and dedicated educators at all levels who invest their energies in exciting their students to explore new ideas and learn new skills.
Join us in guaranteeing and protecting the rights of children globally. The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) has a petition underway to gather signatures encouraging the U.S. Senate to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The U.S., Somalia, and the South Sudan are the only members of the United Nations who have not ratified the document. The petition needs 100,000 signatures by September 20, more than 4000 per day to reach its goal!
It takes just a minute to register and then e-sign. If you agree with the need, sign and then share the information and link. Thank you.
Read the petition and sign.
Both titles pictured below are based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
I remember the first time I met my friend Adriana thanks to HarperCollins. I’m seldom in New York, but we met there at a restaurant. In walked beautiful Adriana who is totally bilingual. I’m bilingual, but English dominant. Adriana was the editor who championed the publication of a book about Día, and she remains a committed Día supporter. She now often translates my children’s books, a delight for me since we work together to produce a translation we both love. I value our discussions. Adriana enriches my life.
Santa Fe is known for its beautiful high desert landscape, rich cultural diversity, fabulous food, and wonderful art. I confess, I’m not as good as I should be about visiting museums here, but the other day, I went to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and saw their current exhibit on Georgia in New Mexico.
I wanted to share one of the few paintings that I could photograph, “Church Steeple,” 1930. I’ve always been fond of O’Keeffe quotes such as, “Take time to look.” Her work invites us to do just that. Those four words are also good reminders as we move through our days.
