Patricia Polacco has long been one of my favorite children’s authors. I’ve led author studies of her works with my former students in both reading and writing workshop. I have used books like Mrs. Katz and Tush and The Butterfly in my consulting work. She an author whose books take up a good deal of space in one of my bookcases. Knowing that she’s a very busy woman, I was hesitant to approach her publicist about doing a Q&A with her. (What if she didn’t have the time? What if she didn’t want to do it for another reason? Either way, I knew a “no” wouldn’t feel good.) Fortunately, her answer was yes!
Polacco’s newest book, The Art of Miss Chew, is yet another masterpiece. Like many of her books, this story comes from her own life so it’s idea for use in a (personal) narrative unit of study. You can read more about the book and view interior spreads by clicking here. Many of my questions revolve around The Art of Miss Chew, but some are about Polacco’s revision process and her thoughts about school budget cuts as they relate to the arts.
SAS: You’ve written so many incredible stories that have helped readers get to know you and your family. The Art of Miss Chew is no different. We witness your struggles in the classroom and your triumphs as an artist. How do you think sharing books like this one can help kids who might not be brave enough to write about their own struggles?
PP: The reason I share my struggles is that so many children are struggling today. I don’t want them to feel alone because my most searing memory is that I felt completely and absolutely alone. So if they know, and of course these days many people have come out and admitted their struggles, and I believe this helps children more than anything.
SAS: The dialogue in The Art of Miss Chew feels as though it is a transcript of the exact words the characters said. However, I know these events happened in the 1960s. Therefore, would you share how you were able to recreate the dialogue so it felt so exact to the reader?
PP: I have a very vivid memory and certainly where a person in authority has come to my defense. That memory is burned into my mind as long as I live.
SAS: In your author’s note that Miss Chew never called you by your given name; she always called you Theresa. If a teacher shares this interview with his/her class, then I think kids would love to know why do you think she never called you Patricia or Trisha? Also, how come you never corrected her?
PP: The first day of being in her class, I wanted a more glamourous name than Patricia. So I fibbed and told her my name was Theresa. Even when I tried to correct the situation, I think Miss Chew always believed that my real name was Theresa.
SAS: What advice can you give to children who face challenges in the classroom but excel in other areas like art, music, or sports?
PP: I believe in multiple intelligences. I don’t think for one second there is only one road to success. I believe each and every one of us has amazing gifts. The human dilemma is we open them at different times. So, some children feel left out or dumb because they can’t do what everyone else does. When they find their particular talent, and they all have it, that is where they will excel.
SAS: Tragically, art budgets around the country have been or are being slashed. How do you suggest a classroom teacher infuse art into their already jam-packed curriculum so their students don’t miss out on expressing themselves artistically?
PP: Yes, art budgets all over the country are being slashed. And in almost every case it is because the monies that should belong to them are being used to publish testing for the No Child Left Behind Mandate. DON’T GET ME STARTED at how appalled I am that in most public schools in our country we are losing art, music, drama, and in some cases, even physical education, so that these tests can be purchased by the districts. You ask how can teachers remedy this in their classrooms? I would say, since they are not art teachers, per se, to show videos or slideshows or smart board presentations of beautiful art so that children can see this mysterious wonder that mankind in able to perform. When the art in them is accessed.
SAS: Your books are mentors for so many students. Many educators I have worked (myself included) aspire to write like you. Help us get a glimpse into your life as a writer. For instance, would you share your revision process with us?
PP: Tell your students any author who claims they get their manuscripts perfectly right the first time they write it is lying through their teeth. With the help of my generous editors who to me are my instructors and teachers, we collaborate on each and every word that is written. Patty Lee Gauche, who is my primary editor, and herself an author of over 50 books, is a master at leading me through the maze of ideas and thoughts while still maintaining my voice. The voice is the hardest thing to preserve when work is being corrected. She is a master at doing this. I have her to thank after a 27 year relationship for any success I know enjoy as an author.
SAS: What’s the next book we can look forward to reading from you? When will it be released?
PP: The next book that is coming out for Penguin in the fall is “Bully”. It’s about cyber bullying among 6th grade girls. Also this fall, Simon & Schuster will be releasing “The Blessing Cup”, which is a prequel to “The Keeping Quilt” about the family fleeing the Pograms in Russia. We are also, at the same time, releasing an anniversary edition of “The Keeping Quilt” that will add pages, bringing the story up to this time. In the spring, Scholastic is bringing out “Clara and Davey” about Clara Barton, the first 13 years of her life. I’m working on a Christmas story and also original stories that are going to appear on Amazon. So a lot to look forward to!
Giveaway Information:
This giveaway is for a copy of The Art of Miss Chew for one of our readers. Many for thanks the Penguin Group for sponsoring this giveaway.To enter for a chance to win a copy of The Art of Miss Chew each reader may leave one comment about this post in the comments section of this post. Feel free to share your thoughts about this interview, how you might use this book in your reading or writing workshop, or you thoughts on what school districts can do to protect funding for the arts.All comments left on or before Thursday, June 14th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time will be entered into a random drawing using a random number generator on Friday, June 15th.I will announce the winner’s name at the bottom of this post by June 17th.Please be sure to leave a valid e-mail address when you post your comment so I can contact you to obtain your mailing address and have my contact at Penguin send the book out to you. Please note: Your e-mail address will not be published online.
Comments are now closed. Thank you to everyone who left a comment. It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm about Patricia Polacco’s new book (and about her inspiring words)!
Congratulations to kaparks whose comment number was picked using the random number generator.
Kaparks will receive a copy of The Art of Miss Chew. She wrote:
As a college student preparing to become an elementary teacher, I’ve been trying to read/discover more great children’s books that I would love to share with my future students. Thanks for this post, these seem like great books I’ll need to check out!
I really loved the quote, “The reason I share my struggles is that so many children are struggling today. I don’t want them to feel alone because my most searing memory is that I felt completely and absolutely alone.” That’s beautiful, and so true for many people – the worst memories stemming from feeling alone. It’s great to see an author doing what they do to try and help that.
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 
Missed the deadline, but I have to say how much I love Patricia Polacco’s books. The kids (and I) can really relate!
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I was so happy to read that Ms. Polacco’s next book will focus on cyber bullying. As students use social media more and more to communicate, a book on this topic is a most welcome addition! Patricia Polacco has been one of my favorite author’s for years. I share her stories with students regularly and was happy to gain additional insight into her thoughts through your interview…thank you for sharing!
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Oh my! What a treasure. Many years ago, I sat next to Patricia Polacco on an airplane, going home after she had won an IRA Bood Award. She just gets truer and truer. Her books have provided many opportunities to share with children and with adults. I love the interview.
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Would love to use this as a memtortext in my writing workshops!
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It is wonderful to hear from authors about what inspires them. I also enjoy hearing about how editors are helpful. I am always liking to add great books to my library.
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These are just the type of questions kids would live to know the answers to!! Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to share with my class in August!
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@Cinda: Thanks for saying that! My goal with the questions I ask is to make sure these interviews are usable for teachers. I always try to ask myself “what would my kids want to know?” I always try to ask a couple of questions that I could expect a child to ask at the end of a read aloud (that was used in service for writing).
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I use so many of Patricia Polacco’s books in my classroom. This book sounds like a perfect addition. I look forward to using it in my room next fall.
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I have many of the Patricia Polacco books! I would use this book at the beginning of the year. I would use it as a read-aloud before our first art project. I always incourage my students that we are all artist no matter what our masterpiece may look like. It’s not about comparing our work with each other, but doing our best and being creative. We are lucky at my school because we have been able to still have performing arts, choir, and band.
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My students love listening to Patricia Palaco books. We have collected many of her books for our classroom library. The students love to listen to Ms.Palaco on youtube. She provides opportunities for my third graders to share experiences discuss life lessons. I love to incorporate art into all areas of the curriculum and expose students to a variety of art medium. My students’ parents and I provided the supplies because we have limited classroom supply money.
I can’t wait to read The Art Of Miss Chew!
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Patricia Polacco is a great author for author study.
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Gorgeous book once again. I’m really looking forward to using this text and the new bully book as mentor texts with my literacy students! Thank you. Hz
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Patricia Polacco has done it once again. She has a gift of making a life event into an interesting and rich story with a lesson. I will add this book to my author study of her when I am using her books in reader’s workshop and when I am teaching narratives in writer’s workshop. My third grade students always look forward to each of her books with anticipation!
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I love Patricia Polacco’s books and so do my students! Our favorites include “My Rotten Red-headed Brother” and “The Keeping Quilt.”
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I love to use her books to shownstudents how easy it is to write theirbown stories.
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Thank you for this interview! I read “Pink and Say” each year to my middle school students as a read aloud – and I cry each time! Would love to win a copy of her newest book.
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I don’t know this PP book and will certainly be picking one up even if I don’t get one for free! 😉
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Absolutely love Patricia Polacco! I do an author study every year with my second graders and each year I find something new to explore with her books! I love that my collection just keeps growing 🙂 I am so looking forward to sharing this book with my students and fellow teachers.
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Refreshing interview! Exactly what I needed as another adventure-filled school year comes to a close.
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Thank you for an inspiring interview. I love using Polocco’s wonderful stories in my classroom. I appreciate all the different topics that touch students’ lives in so many ways.
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Just finished an author study writing unit with my 3rd graders! We just love all of her books!
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Patricia Polacco has been at the top of my favorite author’s list since my daughter’s 1st grade teacher introduced us by way of ThunderCake 18 (!I can’t believe that!) years ago. What a wonderful interview – thank you. I’m inspired for SO many touchpoint “lessons” for my 5th graders. I’m pretty sure I NEED to win this drawing… fingers crossed. :-p
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Patricia has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. As a classroom teacher I always did an author study with my students using her books. As a reading specialist I use her books as mentor texts with both teachers and students.
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Patricia Polacco is one of my all time authors. When I introduced her books to my second graders this year, they would not allow me to move the basket back to the shelves with the other books. I had to leave it out on the Author Study table for the remainder of the year. Thank you, Patricia, for allowing us to glimpse into your life. Your books inspired my students to take their personal narrative writing to a greater level. The dyslexic students in my class especially benefitted from your stories. They knew they were not alone and if you could learn to read and write well enough to become an author, they could do it too. Thank you again.
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This year was the first year that I taught Small Moments. I loved to use Patrica’s books. The children could relate to her writing in many ways! It is wonderful to see their engaged faces change with each page of the book. Also, I can relate to her comment about many children are in need of the arts!
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I love this interview. Currently am a stay at home mom but try to stay abreast if all new literature out there. I would share this interview in a heartbeat with my students and elicit the comments from them. But I love how open she is and think the students would live to see how an author geeks the sane things that they do!! Thanks do much for sharing this. I’m. Saving this for the future!!
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I have used Patricia’s books at every grade level I’ve taught and treasure every one I own. I was fortunate enough to meet her when she worked with students at my school many years ago. She used my classroom rocker to display the keeping quilt and then signed it and drew a quick picture on it. To say that I treasure this rocker is an understatement. I’ve seen a pre-copy of Bullying…he book due out this fall. It will definitely be a part of my curriculum as soon as it’s in print. Thanks for this interview. I can’t get enough of this talented woman!
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Thanks for posting this interview. My school district had the pleasure if hosting her this past school year. She is definately an inspiration.
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Patricia Polacco is my favorite author of children’s books. I was happy to learn about the new books coming out and can’t wait to read The Blessing Cup and the updated version of The Keeping Quilt.
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I always start the year with Thank You, Mr. Falker, because I want my children to see that real authors struggle too and it’s okay! I can’t wait to get this book so I can add it to a my collection and use it as another lesson on how people may struggle but they don’t give up! I can’t wait for the other new books either! Bully, is a book with such a true message that needs to be addresses with young ladies; and the prequel to The Keeping Quilt! Love it! I used the Keeping Quilt to discuss historical fiction, immigration and celebrate traditions/culture with my 3rd graders this year. They loved it!
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@Shelly: I always started the year with Thank You, Mr. Falker. I have to say that this book makes a nice companion to TYMF since it reminds us that everyone has something at which they can shine.
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I love sharing Patricia Polacco books with my class every year! The students are always so amazed that her stories came from personal experiences. She is also a fabulous presenter! I saw her when she came to Fort Wayne, IN for our Young Author’s competition!
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As a primary-grade teacher I used Patricia Polacco’s books with great success; I am just as successful in using them with pre-service teachers at the university level. In my opinion, that is one quality of a great book: its transferability across age levels. I can’t wait to read her new book and consider ways to share it with my students!
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Thank you for posting this interview! When I read a book in class, I like to show my students a video or a transcript from the author. Hope I win!
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Our school has implemented numerous, environmentally-focused initiatives in an effort to both improve our environment and save money. (Oh, the lesson ideas!!) The savings are used for programs needing funding, such as the arts.
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@Christy: I’m sure there are many people who read our blog who’d love to know more about what your school does. Would you be willing to contact me so I can learn more about this (so we can share with the community at-large)? You can find my e-mail address by going to https://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/contact-us/. Thanks!
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I am lucky. My community openly supports Arts education.
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She is absolutely my favorite author. I use her books constantly in my lessons. I teach 4th grade inclusion, so many of my children can relate to her struggles in the classroom. I thunk I could have read Just Plain Fancy every week this year to my students-it was their favorite!
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Patricia Polacco is an all time favorite! Thank you for sharing news about the new book! I can’t wait to have a copy of my own to share with kids!
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Thank you, Mr. Faulker is one of my favorites by Patricia Polacco. Although, Thundercakes is the one I first fell in love with. She captured my childhood fear of thunderstorms PERFECTLY. It was so much fun to share it with my classes and later my children. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Patrica’s work. I can’t wait to read the new one.
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Pink and Say is my all time favorite PP book! I can’t read it without tearing up. I use picture books constantly with my 5th graders. Can’t wait to read this one.
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I love Patricia Polacco books. They are so inspiring and poignant. I can’t wait to read this story!!
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I look forward to reading this new one from PP and getting it signed by the author herself. She’s coming to our school to kick off our PARP month at the start of our next school year!
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Another winner from one of my students favorite authors. Thanks for the interview. We will need to get a bigger book case pretty soon.
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I have loved Patricia Polacco and her books for many many years. Her stories are used as mentor texts for so many different units I teach. My students are always mesmerized by her stories and even the ones who don’t sit for long, sit and relate to her tales.
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Patricia Polacco- one of my mentor authors whose books are used so often in my classroom to help children discover a theme or learn about characters as people. I wuold love another of her books to add to my growing collection. Thanks for such a wonderful interview!
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I use Patricia Polacco books as mentor books every year. I am always the first to take out her newest book from the library. She is such an inspiration to the struggling child and helps the more confident children see those children in a new light. I’m so glad she has lots of projects to come.
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I love what Patricia Polacco said about wanting students who struggle not to feel alone. I think I’m going to print out this interview and share it with my students.
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I’ve used Patricia Polacco books with my third graders for many years. The students love the stories. They are especially impressed that these are stories based upon real life experiences of the author. We do many projects with them…like Ukranian Eggs, which turn out to be a beautiful art lesson!
My favorite book is “Thank you Mr. Falkner.” I always read this book at the beginning of this year to my whole class and thoroughly discuss it with the students in small groups. All five in the group of below level readers this year were reading at the first grade level. We had a really good discussion about how you can pretend to read and never really learn to read and to love it; or to really work on it this year and become a better reader. We then listed everyone who would be available to help them. I asked them to make the decision privately.
In fall the students couldn’t read grade level material independently so I had them work together often to discuss all the work they were doing and to help each other. The students gradually became more independent. By December they were able to read the below level independent reader with minimal mistakes. By April all five could read the grade level readers and all third grade materials independently. They needed more time, but THEY DID IT! Thank you Mrs. Polacco for the inspiration.
I plan to use the new book, The Art of Ms. Chen, the same way.
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Patricia Polacco’s writing has inspired so many of my students. I am in awe of her many talents.
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I love to read Patricia Polacco books to my fourth graders. They provide such wonderfully visual examples of superb writing.
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Thank You, Mr. Falker is one of my all-time favorites. I look forward to reading her latest book.
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I just opened this post this morning and chuckled when I saw that it was about Patricia Polacco. In my 8th grade ESOL class, I just showed the students The Butterfly as we are studying the Holocaust. My daughter (6 yrs old) and I just finished Thunder Cake two nights ago, a colleague just suggested Our Mothers House as a good read for our family (two moms), and I am eager to show my 6th and 7th graders Pink and Say (Civil War). Reading this post made me decide to read as many PP books as I can so I can begin next year with my book shelf full of her books for all the units, topics, concerns, and issues that arise in our classroom- world. Thank you!!!
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How wonderful that more books are in the works, but especially that The Keeping Quilt will be re-released & updated. I loved hearing about the process & like others said, it’s a good idea to share this with students. I also think that art and writing go so hand in hand, & often use art lessons to begin writing ideas, or to enhance what is already written. It’s sad that art is being cut, but language arts teachers can include much in their own classrooms that will help some. Thank you Stacey and Patricia for sharing so much.
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Many years ago my dear colleague introduced me to Patricia Polacco’s books! I am forever grateful to her! This interview would be great to use with my middle and high school students when we are working on writer’s workshop. Thanks for doing these interviews!
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I look forward to the books coming out in the fall and hope I can add The Bully to a unit for my 8th graders. I also will use Ms. Polacco’s advice on revision in Writing Workshop. Thank you for a wonderful interview.
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I’ll have to find this one for my daughter – she’s just finished 1st grade and says she wants to be an artist when she grows up. (I just wish our school system had art classes in elem. school. And I won’t start on the NCLB and funding issues – there wouldn’t be enough time or words!!) Patricia Polacco is one of my favorites – I have several of her books in my collection, and want/wish I had all!
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First of all, I love Patricia Polacco and her many books that she has written! She is my favorite author study to teach because of her amazing writing style, her illustrations, and the deep respect she has for other cultures. At the end of this school year, my colleagues and I have written mini-lessons for a vertical author study that will encompass all grade levels to be used next year. Patricia Polacco will be well-known throughout our school, and students from every grade level will benefit from her universal themes and her powerful teachings in her books. I am so excited for The Art of Miss Chew and for Patricia Polacco taking a stand to preserve the arts in schools. I love and agree with her insight that every child has a gift and that they open it at different times when they are ready.
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I love Patricia Polacco books. We just borrowed this from the library and I can’t wait to share it with my daughters. Thanks for sharing the interview. I love the quote, “I believe each and every one of us has amazing gifts.” Very inspirational for all ages!
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I try to change things up each year, including many of the books I read aloud or use as mentor texts – to keep it fresh for me mostly. However, I never NEVER abandon Patricia Polacco’s books. They are so well written, so deeply laden with meaning, so perfectly suited for many lessons. I cannot wait to read this latest one and share it with my students. I am thinking that I may do a complete author’s study this coming year on Patricia’s books. Thank you Ms. Polacco for your insightful, inspiring stories.
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I love so many of Patricia Polacco’s books, but my all time favorite is Chicken Sunday. I wish I had my copy here (it’s at school) so I could quote my favorite line! I can’t wait to read this new one.
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This interview came to me at a fairly critical time. I’ve sunk into a depression since the loss of a family member … the one who never believed I could survive as an artist … and who I’ve blamed somewhat for the fact that I couldn’t. I was the odd child/teen/young adult who wanted to become a professional artist, never quite fitting in anywhere. I wish someone had read this book to me years ago. It might have the impact that Ms Polacco intends and given me the courage to be what I was born to be instead of just playing at it when my job doesn’t get in the way.
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Was fortunate to attend the Meteor Festival a few years ago and will never forget talking with Patricia! Not only is she a gifted writer and illustrator, she is a champion for all children. How lucky we are to be able to use her stories as mentors in our classrooms!
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Thanks for the interview! Love Patricia Polacco’s work!
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You always ask such insightful questions. I’m excited that she has so many books coming out. What a busy woman!
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Patricia Polacco books are treasures for students and teachers. I was fortunate to see her speak a couple years ago and was in awe. Thank you for thoughtful interview. I am looking forward to adding Patricia’s new work to our collection.
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We had our BOE meeting that honors the highest achieving seniors on Monday night and I don’t think that it is a coincidence that every awardee has been involved in the music department! Talking to the parents about that after the program, they emphasized that music creates and develops a sense of discipline, as well as a genuine appreciation for the arts. Standardized testing should never trump the importance of strong art and music programs!
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Thank you so much for sharing what this magnificent author is doing now. PPs texts are special and I love to share them with my students and my grad students. It is just wonderful that she is “updating” the Keeping Quilt because I ALWAYS ask my grad students in a writing class to write the next chapter of that book. Now we will really know the “rest of the story.”
🙂
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Ms. Polacco’s books are a trip in our memories. My fourth grade students have worn out the pages from reading them so much.
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Whenever I read one of Ms. Polacco’s books, I feel as if I am the person in the book. I always begin the year with Thank you, Mr. Falker, to help the students understand that they are all special and have talents that are unique to them. I can’t wait for this book and the “Buly” book this fall.
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I love Patricia Polacco’s books. And I can’t wait to share with my students that anyone who says they write perfectly the first time is lying! I think that will have a lot more impact coming from a ~published author~ than from me!
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I am so excited about The Art of Miss Chew. I just finished my year with students and art was a large focus of our work. I am a strong believer in arts integration in my teaching. I so wished I had know about this book to use in the last weeks of school as we made color wheels, drew leaves and trees and talk about the value and use of art to help us learn and see the world in new ways. Patricia’s books are just wonderful teaching books – I use them all the time for mentor texts in our writing workshop, for topic discussions, genre examples. Thanks so much for sharing. This interview was great. It is always important when sharing a book with students to share a bit of the authors real thinking and motivation.
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I use many of Patricia’s books in reading and writing workshops with my 4th graders. I love the reality used in her books and how they speak to the audience no matter the age of the reader.
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I thought of my colleague as I read this interview and will print it out for her to read and discuss with her students. She teaches grade 3, and does an amazing job teaching art and connecting the art to the artists.
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Patricia is a favorite for me and my students. I love her comment that everyone has gifts, but we open them at different times. She is so willing and open to sharing her gifts with us. I can’t wait to read her new book.
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Thanks for the interview. I am looking forward to reading “The Art of Miss Chew”. When it’s time to teach a writing skill in writing workshop, I know I can always reach for one of Patricia Polacco’s book, and it will serve as a great mentor text. I also know that when I reach for it, the kids have probably read it at another time, but they are always ready to hear it again.
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“The human dilemma” as Patricia described it rings so true to me. We need to always remember that each child has (and is) an amazing gift. Thanks for the interview.
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I love to share author’s thoughts on how tough writing is. Authors that visit our school always talk about revision. Teachers love to use the author’s statements about how difficult it is but how satisfying and the beautiful end product!
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We just had a discussion at our school today about how our classroom teachers can provide high quality art programs as we can no longer afford an art and music teacher. I think it is a tragedy that we cannot afford arts programming as our students cannot afford to miss this vital part of their education. I am looking forward to reading this new book.
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I had the privilege of listening to Patricia speak at the “Reading for the Love it” conference in Toronto last year. What an amazing speaker! She held us all enthralled. An author study in my gr. 3 class is never complete without one of Patricia. So many of her books lend themselves so well to making connections.
What an awesome giveaway!
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Not a week goes by during the school year that my students and I don’t pull out one of Patricia’s books for reading or writing workshop. We read them over and over and over again, discovering something new each time. This year, I had the blessing and pleasure to teach my own collection of “junkyard wonders,” so that book has a very special place in my heart.
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Patricia (Theresa) has continuously written stories that touch our lives! Three of my favorites are Baboushka’s Doll, Thank You Mr. Falker, and Aunt Chip and The Triple Creek Dam Affair! I look forward to reading the new one…thanks for this interview too…very interesting to know more about Patricia’s life!
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As a college student preparing to become an elementary teacher, I’ve been trying to read/discover more great children’s books that I would love to share with my future students. Thanks for this post, these seem like great books I’ll need to check out!
I really loved the quote, “The reason I share my struggles is that so many children are struggling today. I don’t want them to feel alone because my most searing memory is that I felt completely and absolutely alone.” That’s beautiful, and so true for many people – the worst memories stemming from feeling alone. It’s great to see an author doing what they do to try and help that.
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I’m so excited to hear that Patricia Polacco is writing more books. Her stories are so authentic and engaging for students. I love the information the interview provided about revision, another way to hook our students and show them how real writers write!
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I was lucky enough to meet Patricia Polacco about 6 years ago. She spoke to the students at our school and was wonderful! As a school teacher, I love sharing her books with my class and as a parent, I have shared them with my own children. I am so happy she has written another book!
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I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Patricia Polacco at two book signings with my children, and will always treasure the memories. How marvelous that she is at work on so many more books! And thank you for this interview Stacey! It’s always fascinating to get a writer’s glimpse into the process of creating a narrative. Like Dana, I plan to use this interview in writing workshop – lots of great stuff to share with my students.
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Patricia Polacco is such a wonderful author and her books work wonderfully as mentor texts for personal narratives. Even my 7th graders love her stories. Thank you for the interview!!
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I, too, love to use Patricia’s books in reading and writing. It’s even more meaningful for my students to know that the settings are often very close to our own town. I hope she never stops writing.
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Love, love, love Patricia Polacco!!! I’ve used her books as mentor texts in kindergarten and 5th grade. This interview has so many great inspirations. Thank you for posting it!
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Thank you for sharing this interview on your blog! I’m always looking for good mentor authors & texts for my personal narrative unit! Since Patricia Polacco writes from real experiences, she’ll be a great mentor
for me & my students 🙂
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I started in education as a paraprofessional in my children’s elementary school. The first day I worked I was blessed to hear Patricia Polacco speak to the children. I got to touch the Meteor! I love her stories. I can not read Pink and Say without crying.
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Can’t wait to read your new book. I hope this book will be as thought-provoking as Dear Mr. Falker
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Like all the others who have commented, I love all of Patricia Polacco’s books. My own children grew up on them and I use them in both reading and writing workshops. Thank you so much for the interview. I will use it with my students in the fall when we return to school.
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I have been using Patrica Polacco’s books ever since I began teaching! The students are always able to make so many connections with her stories.
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I love using all of Patricia Polacco’s books as models for our Family History Story writing project. I have yet to read one I didn’t love!
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I also LOVE Patricia Polacco for so many reasons. Her stories go straight to your heart, which is where all the best stories go, and I love being able to share the author’s own thoughts and ideas with my students. My second graders are always so amazed when they hear that published authors have to revise or that they have written about things that happened in their own lives. It makes the writing process so real to them. I agree with Katherine that even if I don’t win the book (which I hope I do!), it will make its way into my classroom library, which already has a number of Patricia Polacco books! Thanks for sharing this!
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We read Thundercake as part of our reading curriculum which leads to reading many other stories by Patricia. We LOVE to read about Rotten Richie and experience rich small moment writing. I was lucky enough to meet her, hear her message and I “sliced” about it here(when I was doing a much better job of slicing!). http://amysnote.blogspot.com/2009/03/it-couldnt-be-could-it.html Thanks for the interview and reviving the memory. 🙂
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Thank you for this beautiful interview. I read The Art of Miss Chew on loan from my library and dearly loved it. I know even if I don’t win the giveaway I will be purchasing a copy for my classroom. What a great text to share with our students – it contains such an important lesson for us all.
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I personally love, love her and have had the pleasure of seeing her at a conference Thanks for sharing. One of my graduate students just did an author presentation on her and I would love to give her this book as a present…it was a fabulous presentation.
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Thank you for posting this interview. I love interviews like this to use with my students when we introduce Writers Notebooks and discussthe processes authors use when creating new pieces.
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@Dana Murphy: I’m glad this interview is helpful. It’s my hope that teachers will use this interview (& the other ones I do) with their students in writing workshop.
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I have loved every book Patricia has written – I knew she wrote from the heart and from experience, it’s neat to hear even more rationale from her. I think this is a great interview that can be shared at any level with young writers – I’m hitting forward to my staff right now! I hope I can be lucky enough to win a copy of this book, if not, I will surely purchase it for my office.
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