Sunday, January 10, 2010

Some Good and Important Things

  • Anyone interested in urban science education should consider attending this symposium in New York on January 24: http://www.jhumkibasu.org Jhumki Basu -- a dear friend of James's -- was one of the most dynamic, interested, and interesting people I've ever met, and she died much, much too soon. (It was her wedding we were attending in the top picture here.) This foundation and symposium carry on her work as a teacher and inspiration.
  • We held my grandfather's memorial service yesterday -- a really wonderful event, exactly what he would have wanted, with stories from friends, authors, and family and readings from great children's literature, including Charlotte's Web and family favorite The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Any donations in his memory may be directed to the UCM Children's Literature Festival, in care of the University of Central Missouri Foundation, and thank you.
  • Writers of all races should check out the recent discussion at Black-Eyed Susan's regarding characters of color, particularly the wise and thoughtful exchange between Neesha and JL at the end.
  • And following on two of those things: I'll be speaking at the UCM Children's Literature Festival in March, followed the next weekend by a talk at the Books by the Bay Multicultural Literary Conference, and registration for both of those events is now open.

7 comments:

  1. Thank you for the link about the Books by the Bay conference; this is the first I'd heard about the new Multicultural Literature Advocacy Group, and it sounds like it will be a valuable resource.

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  2. Hi Cheryl,

    I've had quite a bit of traffic today and now I know why. Thank. We did have a very thoughtful and I think fruitful discussion.

    May you find comfort in the expression of love and gathering you had for your grandfather. Sounds like a lovely memorial.

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  3. May your wonderful memories of your grandfather bring you comfort at those moments when you find yourself missing him. He sounds like an amazing man. My deepest sympathy.

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  5. Once again, I'm sad to hear about your grandfather, but I LOVE the choice of readings at his memorial service. Just think of the long influence he's had through children's books. Wonderful.

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  6. I can't believe how much of this I just wasn't aware of. Thank you for bringing more information to this topic for me. I'm truly grateful and really impressed.

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