Monday, January 24, 2011

Tappan Library Visit Recap with Children's Author, Donna McDine

My visit at the Tappan Library, Tappan, NY recap.

On Monday, January 17, 2011 I visited the Tappan Library, Tappan, NY in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day when I presented my children's book The Golden Pathway.

Prior to showing the children and parents The Golden Pathway book trailer we chatted about what they knew about the Underground Railroad and provided them an opportunity to ask questions after reading them an excerpt of the book.
It was quite the lively conversation with a few of the older children expressing that they would do whatever it would take to help slaves reach freedom if they lived then.

Several more expressed interest in writing their own stories and I took this opportunity to talk to them about the Guardian Angel Kids Ezine http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/ and their chance to submit their stories for publication consideration. The parents happily provided their email addresses to receive the submission guidelines. To see the excitement from the children with not only reading, but with writing too is an experience every children's author is thrilled to experience. I know I was!

I would also like to share with you the heartfelt feedback from several of the parents via email:

"Donna is adept at relating well to young children. Her book deals with an important subject and a difficult time in our history with grace and simplicity for young minds. The story comes alive through the characters' feelings so that all children can understand the courage and sacrifice by both David and Jenkins. The book would be a great tool for learning in schools." ~ S. Cama

"We were happy to attend your presentation on The Golden Pathway and thought you did an EXCELLENT job!! Brady had so many questions at the dinner table about the Underground Railroad, which made for very stimulating conversation!! Also, he was looking at the pictures in your book all evening long and is very excited for me to read it to him!! Congratulations!" ~  Amy Clarke, M.Ed.,
LiveFree Coaching and Personal Fulfillment Coach


"Donna's beautifully designed title about the underground railroad or 'the golden pathway' illustrates clearly for young readers the history of the deep-rooted racial divide in our nation. It helps our children grasp the significance of more modern tragedies like the assassination of Martin Luther King and serves as an outstanding complement to standard 2-6 grade course material about slavery, emancipation, and the perennial kindness across the color line. Donna's presentation at the Tappan Library needs to be replicated across schools and libraries. It speaks to listeners as young as Kindergarten and teaches children more than 'just a story' about the freeing of a slave - it teaches children about the importance and power of empathy that sprouts in childhood and grows with the person through adulthood." ~ Jill Gross, Librarian, Tappan Library (Tappan, NY)

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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

3 comments:

  1. So, were you nervous or cool as a cucumber? It looks like you had a great time. So glad to see you out sharing your wonderful book with kids.

    Best of luck,

    Cheryl

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  2. Congratulations on your library visit, Donna. It sounds like a great time was had by all.

    Kevin

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  3. Congrats on a great visit, Donna! It looks and sounds like you guys had a great time!

    All the best,
    Lori

    ReplyDelete

Thank for you taking the time out to visit with me and to learn about my historical fiction children's book, The Golden Pathway.

Please be sure to leave your blog address so I can reciprocate.

I look forward to visiting you too.