Sometimes in the world today
I wonder what kind of live role models are appropriate for kids any longer.
And then God parts the skies and flops one down right in front of us.

A couple weeks ago my class was invited along with the rest of the grade level,
to visit an author speaking at a local college.

Listening to her was amazing.

Have you heard of Andrea Davis Pinkney?


(above photo from http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12981.Andrea_Davis_Pinkney)

I had seen the book Duke Ellington previously,
but that was the extent of my knowledge of her as an author.

Mrs. Pinkney is an amazing author, woman, and yes, role model.

Her writing focuses on picture books of African American nonfiction and
historical fiction and I was awe inspired.

I sat there wishing above all that Braeden, and especially Olivia,
could be there to hear what I was hearing.

And then we were told that she would be speaking that evening at a local library.
And we had NO plans! Score!

I took Braeden out toward the end to purchase books so she could sign them,
so I only got a tiny piece of Olivia's bright magenta fleece up there in the front,
but that was her asking a couple of great questions at the end of the
presentation. So proud!

Books were discounted and we ended up with three.
Olivia chose Let it Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters.
Braeden chose Sit In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down.
And we got one family book titled Boycott Blues.

LOVE them!!!
And would HIGHLY recommend any of her books!

(I'm trying to convince Olivia to cut her hair like Andrea's...
but not sure that will fly...
yet anyway!) :0)