A mid-summer message from a famous poet and children’s author…

July 2009

Dear Parents,

Nikki Giovanni was a keynote speaker at this summer’s Teachers College Institute on Teaching Reading and Writing at Columbia University.  Several LREI teachers attended this summer, and others have in the past.  Teachers are always grateful for enriching professional development, and Ms. Giovanni was inspiring as a speaker.

She presented her new book, The Grasshopper’s Song, which I highly recommend.    The story is a re-telling of Aesop’s fable with a slightly more social activist lens.  While it looks and reads like a children’s book, its central idea is philosophical enough for grown-ups to chew on.  In this version, the grasshopper does not think it is right for the ants to refuse to share their store of food.  And as is the American way, he decides to sue to prove his point.  The animals of the forest form the jury, the wise owl presides over the arguments, and the subtext poses the important question… After all, do artists not contribute to society as well?  Something to really think about in a new way.

Nikki Giovanni is certainly an artist contributing to our community herself.  Her several books of poetry will inspire adults.  Her several books for children (Hip Hop Speaks to Children and The Sun is So Quiet for example) are also glorious.

Hope your summer reading lives are rich and relaxing!

Take care and see you in September,
~Namita