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Showing posts with the label literacy

Children's Author Spotlight: Chance to Dance by Keisha Bussey

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Keisha Bussey  Chance to Dance by Keisha Bussey Illustrated by Tyrus Goshay Author Bio Keisha Bussey is the author of Chance to Dance . She is also a dance educator. Keisha has a passion for dance and life with her students and colleagues.  She has been a dance educator for 19 years.  She believes in implementing dance books into dance curriculum.  As a little girl, she always had a love for books.  Her mother taught her to enhance her imagination while reading.  Keisha credits her early reading with her mother for an increase in her reading fluency as she became a more effective reader throughout school.  She also credits her third-grade teacher, Ms. Curry with inspiring her love for reading and books.   Author Interview DF: Tell us about your journey as a writer.  When did you start?   KB: My journey as a writer was a long process because I started with a chapter book then  decided I...

Walter Dean Myers: Master Children's Writer (1937 - 2014)

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There are few writers who have contributed countless stories and books for the benefit of children's literacy.  Walter Dean Myers , one of my favorite children's writers passed on July 1, 2014.  I was overcome with sadness upon hearing of his passing.  I immediately felt the sense of loss for his family, and also for the many children, librarians, teachers and literacy advocates who have read, taught and participated in book clubs and conferences surrounding Walter Dean Myers notable and award winning books.  Walter Dean Myers wrote with "us" in mind.  There is currently a great discussion and debate, asking why aren't there more diverse children's books? Writers have argued that the great publishing companies in America do not widely publish children's writers of color or books that are about diverse children and ethnic groups.  Others believe there aren't enough writers who write to present diverse characters and themes for stude...

A Task for All of Us: Championing Young Readers with Diverse Books

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Through the years I  have had great discussions about books with middle grade and high school students.  I've read novels such as Catcher in the Rye and Their Eyes Were Watching God with my students.  I've read memoirs such as Black, White and Jewis h and Down These Mean Streets with my students.  I've read essays by Zora Neale Hurston and James Baldwin with my students.  I've also read short stories from 145th Street Stories by Walter Dean Myers and "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid with them.  This was literature that was within our curriculum.  When it came to books that students were to self select, or read at home for more practice and endurance I received many comments that spoke to student frustration and apprehension. Students told me, "You [the school] don't have enough books for kids like us..." or "I don't read a lot because I can't find books that really interest me, about subjects I like..." or ...

NEW BOOK!: Ten Marbles children's poetry book

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The cover for my new children's book has just been revised! I'm so excited! Check it out! Ten Marbles and a Bag to Put Them In Poems for Children (Lit Noire Publishing) by DuEwa Frazier Ten Marbles is a collection of poems for children. The poems cover themes ranging from love for nature and animals to summertime fun and more! The book features writing and drawing activities, in addition to comprehension questions after selected poems. This collection is perfect for bedtime storytelling, classroom literacy activities, and inspiring children to write creatively. Ages 5-8 Publication Date: May 28 2010 ISBN/EAN13: 097190524X / 9780971905245 Page Count: 52 Binding Type: US Trade Paper

EVENT: 6/5 Read Out Loud this Saturday!

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I'll be at Read Out Loud this Saturday , sharing poetry activities with the children!

Read Out Loud! Family Literacy Festival-Nov. 3rd

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I'm featuring along with other authors  for Morningside Alliance and Jumpstart's Read Out Loud literacy program for kids. I'm going to read from my first book of poetry, Shedding Light From My Journeys , as well as the poetry picture books I Live in Music by Ntozake Shange (with paintings by Romare Bearden) and A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein , for the kids. The festival will take place in Harlem this Saturday November 3rd, from 11am - 3pm. So if you know anyone with young children this is an ideal literary program for them to participate in. There will be storytelling, poetry activities, art making and book giveaways for the kids! See full info and participating orgs. below. All the best, DuEwa =================================== READ OUT LOUD! A Family Literacy Festival PS 165 The Robert E. Simon School 234 W. 109th Street (bet. Broadway & Amsterdam Ave.) Harlem, NY ATTENDING LITERARY and/or EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: Artists Reaching ...