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Thanksgiving



The last day of the NCTE conference in Baltimore began with the Children’s Literature Assembly breakfast at which  Yuyi Morales gave a talk, sharing with us many of the techniques she uses for illustrating her books.  The Children's Literature Assembly is a group within the larger National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) organisation. As I lined up to get a copy of her book signed, I met up again with a colleague who had also been to the International Youth Library in Munich- not at the same time as me, but I remember her trip inspiring me to apply. As we waited in the line two more ‘Stippi’ came into view. Stippi is the name given to people who go to Munich to do research at the Youth library and are given a stipend- hence the name ‘Stippi’. Anyway, once we got to Yuyi and had our books signed we had a photo together.

 Later that day I got to join in a dinner with the board of Worlds of Words, the library where I am based. This group of women are former doctoral students of my host colleague, Kathy’s, now in positions all over the USA. Together, though, they edit the three journals of book reviews and teacher research using children‘s literature which come out of WOW. I have heard their names many times, and it was a real honour to meet them.

The last even of the conference was an interview with Tara Westover who wrote the book ‘Educated’. 
I had recently read this book about Tara who grew up in the mid West of the USA with parents who didn’t believe in school and who were preparing for the end of the world. Tara and her family lived a life that was quite incredible, and even more incredible, Tara ended up going to university (without any high school education)  and is now a professor of history. She was philosophical, funny and wise in her interview. If you haven’t read this book I do recommend it. It is harrowing in parts, but ultimately inspiring.

Since our return to Tucson things have been back into what has become a regular routine, but I was absolutely exhausted after intense conference in Baltimore. So Thanksgiving yesterday was a welcome break. Kathy’s colleague who holds a dinner for ‘strays’- people without family in Tucson- included me and we had a beautiful dinner together.

I am indeed thankful for the many new friends I have made and experiences I have been given.

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