For my blog readers who are blind: the graphics in this blog post are a sampling of thank-you notes and pictures from Lincoln Trail Elementary School. I know from my husband Mike’s descriptions that one note says, “I’m allergic to barking dogs.” Another has wonderful misspellingsinvented spellings: “I injoyed your story and thank you again for coming to Lincoln Tail.” One young artist drew a four-panel cartoon depicting Hanni preventing me from falling into a hole, then me on an airplane, and finally Hanni seated on the floor while Mike and I sit at a restaurant enjoying dinner — all things I’d talked about during my presentation. Another drawing is a close-up of Hanni and me, and we’re surrounded by hearts. The letters “B and E appear on the left side of my head, and T and H on the right. Other drawings in this little montage are, well, beyond description.
In the next four days, Hanni and I will be visiting three Illinois elementary schools in Deerfield, Champaign and Philo. Looking forward to the train rides, visiting with old friends and especially…meeting the kids.
He's allergic to barking dogs. But not non-barking dogs.
Hanni as alligator.
Love the airplane.
Thumbnails of Hanni and Beth rock.
Dig the skyline!
Visual rhetoric at its most effective;)
Beth,
The picture of the plane that you indicate you liked looks a lot of the Beatles Yellow Submarine. So I love it too.
Lori
Wonderful notes and pictures from the kids. I especially liked Hanni’s purple harness that she has on as you both walk through the city.
Guess the artist figured that Hanni has to be fashionable when leading me around the big city. Mike tells me *I* look pretty fashionable in that picture, too…!.
So many wonderful drawings, I think my favorite is the four smiling children facing you and a dozing Hanni. The first three children have their legs facing in front, while the fourth child is either kneeling or has particularly bendy legs. Also, your hair is a particularly lovely (and bright) shade of yellow and is the same color as as Hanni. All are smiling, including Hanni. And two of the children have winsomely long eyelashes; you have one eyelash.
Oh, and the boy who is allergic to dog barks reminds me of my nephew who was allergic to “dog licks.” Apparently, he can be *around* dogs, just not touching them and somehow that got translated to being allergic to dog licks. My nephew — now 14 — has a hypoallergenic dog; maybe boy allergic to barks could get a Basenji, a “barkless” dog (they sort of yodel … really)
Thanks for sharing!
Melissa
Kids are great! I get lots of those interesting pictures too. I got a halloween card last week as well.
I wish I kept a list of funny questions I’ve been asked. You could write a book some of them are so strange. The thing is, you can’t laugh because the kids are being serious, but its so hard when the child asks something as silly as “if the dog is asleep, how does he know when you are hungry?”
Hanni as an alligator? Ummmm…..not so sure about that one. LOL
Isn’t it a little odd that you can’t see, and the kids sent you pictures?
I think I may have told the kids about how Francine Rich at Blue marlin Publications (they’re the ones who published “Safe & sound”) asked if I’d be able to help them choose an illustrator for the book, what, with me not beading able to see and all. Different illustrators “bid” on the option to illustrate the book, and Mike agreed to look at all the samples and describe each illustrators work to me. The kids must have been listening –they figured Mike would describe their fine artwork to me, and they were right.
The beginning of a new book ??? I smell best seller !!
Jenny and Rick,
you are absolutely right, publishing a children’s book with all the questions kids ask at school visits is a very goodidea. So good, in fact, that it’s already been done! Rats.
The book is called “Do You Remember the Color Blue: The Questions Children Ask about Blindness.” It’s written by a blind woman named Sally Hobart Alexander,
she uses a Seeing Eye dog to get around. Here’s a description From School Library Journal:
“As she has done in past books, Alexander makes blindness clear to readers. Here, she responds to frequently asked questions, including how it feels to
be blind and how blind people cope with daily living…Her discussion of remembering colors and dimensions will interest sighted readers. Small black-and-white photos appear throughout;
most are snapshots from the personal collections of the author and her friends.”
Think there’s room for *two* books about the questions kids ask about blindness?Dunno.
I am absolutely charmed by the letters and the illustrations. However, it is my unfortunate obligation to tell you that, in these politically correct times, “misspellings” are now called “invented spellings.” Not kidding.
Can’t wait to see you on Thursday!
Never realised how enventive I cood bea. Thankx four letting me no. Changed it in the blog.
We have been fortunate to have Beth speak at Longfellow School in Oak Park on a number of occasions. My two favorite questions:
1. How do you drive?
2. What is your favorite thing about being blind?
Regarding the first question, Beth comes off as so capable and competent that the kids figure she can do anything.
Regarding the second question, Beth gave the most wonderful answer about being free to judge people for their character and the words that they say — rather than their looks and their clothes. What a great lesson for all of us!
They always say kids and animals are a hard act to follow. You have blended with them so well, and this entry was an absolute delight. Yes, theres room for another book if you write it. I will be first in line.
What fun to see our student work on your blog. Loved hearing that the notes were also enjoyed by Mike. Your visit is still talked about here at Lincoln Trail!
Im always surprise at how cute kids can be. Love their simplicity and hearts full of love. Hope you had a great time here in CHampaign!
That is so sweet. Love going to schools.
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