“We have to be very conscious about how we’re going to tell our stories to our children and our grandchildren.” –Patty Lyons
Today we have a lovely discussion with picture-book enthusiast and librarian Patty Lyons about thinking about who was there for us, recognizing the importance of photographs, writing down the good moments, and seeing windows, mirrors, & sliding glass doors.
Today’s Picture Book: Something about Grandma written and illustrated by Tania de Regil
Today’s Guest: Patty Lyons is currently the Children’s Librarian at the Mint Hill Public Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. A proud graduate of UNC Greensboro, she was inspired to pursue a career in librarianship after realizing that she is passionate about providing services and programs that are meaningful to our community. Prior to working at the Library, she was the lead teacher at La Escuelita Bilingue where she was responsible for teaching dual language learners English and American customs while celebrating their heritage. She volunteers at Diverse Book Finder where she is reading and coding children's books to the end of aiding in the discoverability of literature for children and youth featuring BIPOC characters. In her free time, she loves watching movies and spending time with her family.
Book Description: At Grandma's house, where Julia is staying without her parents for the first time, the breeze is sweet like jasmine. Mornings begin with sugared bread, and the most magnificent hot chocolate cures all homesickness. There's something about this place . . . and about Grandma. Like how she can tell when Julia has been quietly picking limes from the garden. Or that she can see the future--and knows when Julia is about to fall off her bike. Or how she can journey back in time through the stories she tells. In the room where Julia's mother grew up, her grandmother holds her in a warm embrace--an embrace that Julia will pass on to her family when her parents arrive with her new baby brother. With Tania de Regil's heartfelt illustrations, incorporating poems by her great-grandfather that were handwritten by her grandmother, Something About Grandma offers a tender and playful exploration of the magic of intergenerational love and wisdom.
Please consider supporting your local independent booksellers by purchasing Something About Grandma. Find a store here: https://www.indiebound.org/
Other mentions in this episode:
Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors
Questions/Activities for further engagement based on the discussion:
1. How are you making sure your photos are there to tell your stories and hold your memories? How can we be intentional about sharing photographs?
2. Consider writing down the good things that happened to you that day or week. Then go back and read this at the end of the year and see all the good things you have in your life.
3. How can you find a way to learn and connect with your community? Can you be open in your mind and heart to learn about the stories of the people that are part of your community?
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