Hi everyone,
Home again to Goose Lake. Last week Sandy and I, with Larry and Maryann Wakefield, took a river cruise up the Mississippi from New Orleans to Memphis, mostly in the rain.
A few pretty hours though, including a nice sunset. Lots of day trips at ports along the way, including Natchez and Vicksburg. We had a fine time. Now it’s back in the wheel with some serious catching up to to.
This morning I’m going to Pittman Elementary School to make a video reading CRAWLY SCHOOL FOR BUGS for Reading Is Fundamental. If you’re unfamiliar with RIF, it’s a national organization more than half a century old. This is from it website:
“RIF creates needs-based content and targeted programs that align key literacy issues with proactive and measurable solutions. Our efforts begin with books and continue with resources, activities, and professional development for educators, parents, and literacy volunteers to ensure that reading turns into a journey of opportunity for all children.
“For over 50 years, RIF has built a legacy grounded on the basis that all children have the right to learn to read. In partnership with volunteers, companies, and community organizations, RIF has distributed more than 420 million books and resources and has impacted the lives of 72 million children nationwide.”
I’m thrilled to be doing SOMETHING for kids again after this long year of one cancellation after another. I’ve worked a few times in the past with our local RIF so it will be good to be with them again. I’m also happy the chosen site for this recording is Pittman because I have a history there too. Our lifelong friend, Maryann Wakefield, served as principal there. 
I wrote an activity story about their school mascot, Oliver the Rat, and in 2005 I wrote a book for a new series of Random House books called MISS GRUBB, SUPER SUB, A WRITE-IN READER, inspired by the teachers at Pittman. I named the school in the book Pittman. The series was subtitled Reading and Writing on Your Own, and I was asked to write the letter to parents explaining the purpose of series that appeared on the inside cover of every book in the series.
I’m with her. I have to go check on the turtles but I’ll be back presently.
If you don’t know Maryann, here is a bit more about her. She had a long and successful career as an elementary teacher and principal. She also worked in administration for the Springfield Public Schools district and taught courses at Drury University. These days she has more time to spend with her other passion, writing fiction inspired by a lifetime of observations, experiences, dreams and what-ifs. Among her affiliations, she sits on the board of Writers Hall of Fame, an organization that recognizes outstanding writers and promotes student writing, including a scholarship program for college bound future writers.
If you’re out and about tomorrow, I hope you’ll drop by Maryann’s signing to meet her and maybe buy a copy of her book. She’ll be glad to sign it for you.
Our long time friend Maryann Wakefield has just had her novel published.
A GENTLE SUN COMING, was briefly out in e-book two year ago but her publisher went out of business and left her (and other authors) hanging. Maryann’s agent, Jeanie Loiacono, found a new publisher so after a time out to get reorganized, the novel is out at last in print and e-book editions.
Children's Author David L. Harrison's Blog 