Today I’m excited and grateful to share some details about my return visit to Howard Elementary, where I got to share a draft of our new picture book and ask for their feedback. Before the read aloud, I gave each of their teachers a limited-edition Kindness Blooms t-shirt design I created for Avery, our seed-money scholar.
The students listened intently as I shared with them all about how Mipps planted the seeds for this scholarship while he was still with us.
Then I got to share my new book with them.
Notice my dad in the front right, a bonus to have him there with me. My husband also came along, to support me and take the pictures. Here we are, on one of my favorite pages. The sketches are still in draft form, but we’re excited to be on track to go to press in late August.
After the read-aloud, we posed for these pictures.
I left them each with a cardinal sticker and a challenge, to color these slippers and offer me their feedback; today I had the pleasure of receiving their creations and thoughtful reflections.
Here now, the most creative three:
Congrats to Deb, Alaina and Abby for using their time and talents to win three author-signed copies of Knit {Back} Together for their incredible teaching team.
Their notes offered so much fantastic feedback, which I’ll be using to make a few updates, for sure. But my favorite has to be from Abby, who wrote, please, please, please, PLEASE come to Lineville next year (please).
How adorable and affirming is that, to get invited to her new school. Sigh.
I am grateful for every energizing interaction during my visits; please let me know if you’d like to schedule a school visit for the upcoming school year.
Barbara Gruener 