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October 14, 2005
From the library
This past Wednesday we enjoyed a visit from award-winning illustrator and author, Yuyi Morales. Yuyi is a Bay Area children’s book creator and we have three of her wonderful picture books in our own library: Sand Sister, Harvesting Hope: A Story of Cesar Chavez, and Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. When Yuyi held up this last book during her presentation, there was spontaneous cheering from the lower school; teachers and I had shared this beautiful and entertaining book with the various classes prior to the assembly. Yuyi seemed genuinely thrilled at their enthusiastic response.
Yuyi shared a little of her own history through showing and talking about objects that grabbed the students’ attention instantly-a variety of handmade folk toys from her childhood in Mexico. Highlights of her visit also included her exquisite skeleton puppet, Señor Calavera (the bony star of Just a Minute). They recognized him instantly and were delighted to see him “in person” in our very own theater, and for those students who are starting to learn about Dia de los Muertos in Patty’s class, it made for a festive introduction.
When asked about her artwork and her favorite color, she shared that she likes “hot colors” like bright pink and orange, a fact which is evident in her work. Her illustrations, completed in acrylic paints, are vibrant and warm and draw you right into the story. I invite parents to stop by and look through her books in the library; they are currently displayed up on the fireplace mantel. Also, your kids might enjoy visiting her website at www.yuyimorales.com. Yuyi’s visit made for a wonderful October morning for our kids and staff.
Later in the day I was privileged to go back to my old “territory” upstairs, the fourth and fifth grade rooms, to support Erainya and Christopher, along with a docent from Hidden Villa, as they helped prepare their classes for their November overnight trip, a fall tradition for these grades. This is a wonderful educational trip and I have many fond memories of walking with kids by the light of the moon, eating breakfast all together in the hostel’s dining room, watching ten-year-olds learn to shovel horse and cow poop (and watching some of them trying very hard to get out of it!) and helping to get dozens of kids settled into their bunks for the night.
Hidden Villa is a special place and, like many places in Northern California, it’s particularly enchanting at this glowing time of year. It’s one of the many wonderful traditions, like the upcoming first and second grade Pumpkin Patch field trip, that make fall at PHS feel extra special. And on that note, it’s time to start thinking about those Halloween costumes. I can hardly wait to see everyone on October 31.
Posted by Lisa J