An assortment of wonderful treasures were in my mailbox today, all from @826valencia in San Francisco, a well-loved nonprofit organization that offers under-resourced young students the guidance and freedom to express themselves in writing. If you’ve never heard of it, watch the TED Talk by one of the organization’s founders, author Dave Eggers, who with Nínive Calegari created this program that continues to spread nationwide and that has inspired educators around the world to open similar programs. Thank you, Vivian Sming @smingsmingbooks for giving me the chance to enjoy the students’ stories and to make an attempt to capture their wild imaginations and true stories in a single illustration. And a big congratulations and thank you to the third, fourth, and fifth graders from Buena Vista Horace Mann for telling their stories with wit and soul! I never knew of the existence of milk monsters, the bravery of dogs who confront dinosaurs or how villainous snowmen and penguins can be! #826valencia #buenavistahoracemann #chapbook #book #youngwriters #writers #elementary #teachers #educatorsofinstagram
