Strega Nona and I Go Way Back

Lights, camera, action! Look at me in teacher-mode. I recently did a book talk for Scholastic on the Caldecott classic Strega Nona.  It's one of my childhood favorites.

FYI, during filming we had to stop every five minutes because the building's smoke alarm system was being tested and NYC transit could be heard rumbling through a nearby tunnel. It was a hoot!

Click here for the full video.

And The Beat Goes On

So glad Election Day has come and gone. It was stressing me out. Feeling good about the huge voter turnout and that Dems got control of the house. Phew! Here are some other highlights:

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• The first Muslim women were elected to Congress.
• Millions of people in Florida had their right to vote restored.
• A Republican beloved by the NRA lost her congressional seat.
• The first openly lesbian woman was elected mayor in Florida.
• The first openly gay governor in U.S. history was elected in Colorado.
• Texas elected two Latina congresswomen for the first time.
• A Democrat won in Kansas, beating Kris Kobach.
• The first Native American women were elected to Congress.
• An anti-discrimination bill was saved by voters in Massachusetts.
• Anti-union and anti-education Scott Walker is no longer Governor of Wisconsin
• Seven governorships went to Democratic nominees.

For the full details click here.