The other day, among a few other errands I needed to run, I returned our humongous pile of Patricia Polacco storybooks to the library. Let me set the humorous scene for you:

The parking lot to the library, and where I usually park the van, is RIGHT next to an emergency exit only door, which is RIGHT next the entrance door to the Children’s Library, inside the main library.  Because it’s not a door we can enter, we need to go all the way around to the centered door on the very long front of the building, and make quite a trek indoors to get to the Children’s Library.  It figures.  So here I am carrying almost 40 large hardcover books, with much physical effort — and manage to get to the Children’s Library with the books, only to be told they are returned at the front main desk (which I passed on the way.).  So all the way back to the front I went.  Once I got to the drop slot there, and placed the pile half my height on the floor in front of it, I found myself hesitating to deposit them.  Not only because I needed to catch my breathe, lol, but because I was so sad to return these books.  We enjoyed the stories so very much, and in reading them together, we were rewarded with so many gifts.  Wonderful stories, that prompted wonderful discussions, lessons, lots of laughter, longer huddling and cuddling, and the giving in to the pleas to read ‘another one’ together.

I have to tell you of the new funny little tradition our children have started with our Author Fiesta story time  .  Whenever I began reading each book, starting with the title first of course, the children would all follow in unison ‘by Patricia Polacco!’.  (Really loud I might add.)  And then they all giggle before they settle in to intent listening and the imaginary world of our story.

Patricia’s stories, though children’s books, are lengthy in story.  They are not quick reads, but they go by fast because they draw you in to a timeless place. They are the kind of books, which when done, you close, look at the clock and say “You are kidding!  It’s that time already!?”  There were far too many books to discuss one by one here, and I think it’s still particularly difficult for any of us to firmly name each of our favorite stories by this author. I tried, by asking each child separately to tell me their absolute favorite story, and they all had a small list.  But I think we can mention a few (or more) of the books which we collectively really, really enjoyed, following the ones we already have blogged about. For a more detailed description of the story itself of each book, please click on the titles of the books along the way. I may discuss more of what we liked or got out of each story.

An Orange for Frankie is a wonderful (true of course) story of Patricia’s grandmother’s little brother, and one particularly special Christmas they had when they were little.  With the setting way back in time to the horse and buggy days, when Christmas was simple, this story warms the heart with a touching account about giving, and being all together.

The kids all loved the story for various reasons. For one, they love oranges (a lot relates to their love of food around here, lol).  Learning a bit about life in the old fashioned days, with only the kinds of transportation they had available to them back then, was fascinating to them, and probably hard for them to imagine.

What I loved was the lessons of once having to work so hard, and travel so far, for even the little things back then, and the immense appreciation and gratitude one had because of it. In this story, the 9 oranges were the treasured gifts of every Christmas, and they represented each child on the mantle until Christmas Eve. We can all well see in this world, that it is the things worked hard for that are held more valuable to oneself, than that which is just handed over to us.  In this materialistic world of greed and pride, it often takes one losing everything, to realize what really mattered the most. In An Orange for Frankie, it is the sacrifice of his siblings that comes around, after having sacrificed a treasured gift of his own, for a needy stranger, that brings what matters most to light.

And because I am so easily inspired, I now have an urgent desire to decorate the mantle I no longer have, with evergreens, pinecones, and oranges, come Christmas time. Figures, huh? I’m sure I’ll figure out a way to make it work. I’m creative (and desperate) like that.

Thank you, Mr. Falker was a story {A} and I particularly enjoyed. It is the very true story of Patricia Polacco’s own struggle in school, with learning disabilities that for some years, prohibited her from learning to read and write like all of the other children – which brought lots of embarrassment, teasing from other children, struggle and heartache to this innocent, confused child. That is, until a wonderful teacher crossed the path of her life, and changed everything – because he was a teacher that cared!  Cared enough to realize she needed special help, and took the time to give it to her, and help her help herself. To THINK that Patricia is now a famous child’s author!  This story is so representative of so many truths in this world…..like the power of a caring teacher, and how they can and do change the course of a child’s life.  Also, that just because one has a challenge to deal with does not mean they will not become personally successful, or find their own inner abundant joys in their life.  The personal struggles and obstacles in one’s life are often what drives one to celebrated accomplishments, living their purpose in life, and embracing them with passion all the more.

This story came at such an interesting time in my own life, at which I have confirmed a great amount of truth in my own personal challenges and natural strengths, and the big picture explanation as to why I have come to embrace my gifts as I have, and live my life with such passion and purpose.  It reflects itself in the way our whole family lives, and what I want for my children as they go about learning in their own life, in their own way! God is so good and amazing, as we witness time and time again, in people all over the world, the light, rewards and gifts that rise out of the most difficult and seemingly questionable struggles one has in life. I love that.

So yes, thank you Mr. Falker, and every other teacher out there, that truly ‘teach to reach’ each and every child they can, one on one, and make a difference in their life.  Because each and every child, individually, deserves all a teacher has to give.  They all have potential, and gifts of their own to find and live. They may just need to take the road less taken, or the longer one, to get there.  But it’s always well worth the destination, if their hearts are set on the right place, in time for the journey.

Babushka Baba Yaga was one of the scarier stories, for my little ones, by Patricia Polacco.  But frankly, they enjoy a good thrill, and the snuggles just get a little closer, which can only be a good thing.  The wide eyes and tight grips were well worth the wisdom this story had to offer!

Baba Yaga was a lone creature woman of sorts, who lived in the woods.  People of the village were well aware of her presence, and naturally, their ignorance of truly knowing her well, or at all, led to horrid tales of who she was, what she was like, and things she did if you got too close! None of it was the truth, and she longed quite deeply for the love of a child, and to give love to a child, like so many of the Babushkas (grandmothers) of the village, whom she watched and listened to from the darkness of the forest.

Her wishes come true, when she manages to be the “Babushka’ to a little boy who does not have one, and wins the love of his heart.  But eventaully the heart-breaking talk of the village drives her back to the forest, until the boy she loves so much is in sudden danger, and only she can save him.  It is then that her beautiful true colors are finally seen, shining through the mistaken ugliness the whole village ‘chose’ to see for so many years.

It was a GREAT story, and one our children are still talking about. I think all of us (you, me, most everyone) knows what it is like to be so misunderstood, and to know in your heart the truth.  Sometimes, people just don’t want to know the truth, because it’s easier for them to believe what they want to. They may even find enjoyment, or at least engage in, gossip. Like the village and their misconceptions about Baba Yaga. But just like Baba Yaga, those who turn their cheeks are often missing out on more than they know. And those who come forth with open hearts, like the little boy and the love he developed for his Babushka, eventually realize their misjudgements, and find enjoyment, and maybe even a special relationship, that could have never been theirs.  It’s the complicated ones, that are often the most fascinating ones to get to know, and maybe cherish in your life.  I know our children embraced that lesson, in reading and getting to know Baba Yaga, and I pray they will always remember it.

Rechenka’s Eggs, yet another wonderful story!  Though the lessons are not as deep, it was thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.  The story begins with a goose being shot out of the sky by a hunter, which was a disheartening lesson for our little bird-loving children. But the tender loving care back to health that followed, along with the relationship that developed between the caregiver and and goose, had the children’s attention.  They especially loved the sweet surpise ending.

I was particularly drawn to the artisitic creative abilities that lent itself to the story.  The goose caregiver, is a detailed painter of eggs.  Beautiful, intricate, brilliant, fascinating patterns that just amazed me, and once again, inspired me. I truly closed this book, and started thinking about trying my hand at egg painting myself. And I just might!  You know, in between the gardening, sewing and quilting, I guess!!

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All in all, this study of Patricia Polacco, was amusing, heart-warming, educational, and enjoyable all the way through.  The moments we have lived, with these open books in our laps, created memories, launched great discussions, and inspired new ideas to ponder, share, or experiment with.

What is especially special about Patricia’s writings, is how they are all based on her own true experiences, relationships and stories of her life!  None of the stories are particularly unusual in and of themselves.  But it is the way they are told. Patricia herself tells every little child she meets, in schools or on her tours, who is so wowed that she is ‘a real author’, that THEY TOO are a real author, when they tell a story!! And there lies the truth.  Though her stories are published, and she is so gifted in illustrating her stories as well, we are ALL authors.  Though the every day lives of our childhood that are filled with happenings, meetings, experiences and lessons, SEEM ordinary……they magically become fascinating tales many years later, when told to the children who want to hear them.  Our oldest daughter begs for more and more stories of ‘when we (her parents) were little’. She just loves to hear all about even the little things, the funny stories, the hard lessons, extended family members, and the now cherished memories we have. Suddenly, we as parents, are authors, with compelling stories children want to hear. And believe it or not, our children, who most likely think their childhood is ordinary, (because it is all they know), will one day realize the days of their childhood, are fascinating tales to tell some very interested listeners, too.  We are all the readers, the listeners, the authors, and even the characters in other’s stories (think about THAT for a minute)-whether we write them in story books or not.

Thank you Patricia Polacco, for all you offer this world through your books, including the learning disabilities you have faced, and used as an opportunity to teach, and stand as a living example of the fact that nothing is impossible if we want something bad enough, and if we follow our passions. Thank you for taking your ordinary childhood days, and presenting them to the world as the fascinating  and amusing tales that they are, created with and embellished with your gifts of storytelling and illustration.  You surely have 6 new fans in the world, and have created awareness in the authors we never knew we were.

Thank you too, Cay Gibson, for choosing such a talented and worthy author to kick off this Author Fiesta!

So although our study of this author has come to an end, with a bit of sadness, we embrace the excitement of the new author we will now begin studying and enjoying. In the next several weeks, as we gather together and begin each story with the title, the kids will shout in excited anticipation and perfect unison, “…by Mem Fox!”