by Jeffrey Stanley
Best-selling children's book author-illustrator Grace Lin spent an entire day at the BFS Lower School on February 4th to read stories, talk about her Chinese-American heritage that is often the backdrop of her books, and as a prelude to Chinese New Year coming up on February 14th. Lin was generous with her time, and tailored each of several 50-minute assemblies to the age group in attendance, in addition to autographing numerous books.
Two of them, The Year of the Rat and The Year of the Dog, address Chinese New Year in particular and were thus of particular relevance to the kids at this time. During her assembly with 82 second and third graders she told the Chinese folk tale of the legend of the Nian monster, which explains the origins of traditional Chinese New Year activities. In short, it's all about chasing away evil for one more year and celebrating your blessings.
During her talks she used her books, a laptop and a projector with great poise, showing illustrations from her books as she read from them, along with photos of some delectable fried fish, candied melon, fried dumplings, leechee nuts and other traditional Chinese New Year fare. Eating a whole fish on New Year's Day brings good luck, she told the enrapt kids, because the word for fish in Chinese also sounds like the word for riches or abundance. Tangerines or oranges are eaten because the word for them also sounds like a word for wealth. "Homonyms are big in Chinese culture," she said.
She also read an illustrated story explaining the origins of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, including why even being born during the Year of the Pig is auspicious. "If you're born in the Year of the Pig things just work out for you no matter what."
During a later assembly for 88 kindergarten and first graders she chose to read her book The Ugly Vegetables, a touching story of a little girl, her mother, and a lesson learned via a back yard garden. After the story the students wanted to know whether the story was true. She was forthcoming in explaining in easily understandable terms the story's autobiographical origins as well as the elements she had fictionalized for greater dramatic effect.
Each assembly also included a drawing lesson. On her flip chart she drew everything from a good luck lion (2010 is the Year of the Lion) to a dancing monkey, all of which she autographed and left behind to be hung up in Lower School classrooms.
"Angie and I knew we wanted to have a woman author visit BFS because we've had a series of male authors in recent years," said Library Chair Kathy Hartzler of her and Lower-Middle School Librarian Angela Ungaro. The two spent many months arranging to have Grace Lin visit the school. "Angie was the guiding force behind this author visit and I can't thank her enough," said Kathy. "The beauty of Grace's presentations, all four of them, was that they were each unique. She connected beautifully with each group of students, and they with her."
Lin also spent nearly four hours autographing books for the students and faculty, including a personalized message and a drawing for each one. "That," added Kathy, "is quite remarkable."
The librarians are particular fans of Lin's books because they're universal, but also from an author's own unique experiences in our society. "Students can see themselves in her work but can also experience life from a different cultural perspective and time," said Kathy. She pointed out that fourth graders are currently studying quest stories in literature and chose to read aloud Lin's Newbery winner Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, while fifth graders included this book in their study of ancient China. "It's an amazing book which draws on Chinese folklore in a multi-layered way," said Kathy.
The head librarian also stressed the need for letting students see and hear first-hand accounts of what the writing and creative process is like, even for an accomplished adult. "This is especially important to our students who are learning to express themselves in their own writing," she said. And with Lin, "they can also see the joy that comes from creating a beautiful work of art. An author's visit inspires students to read more and expand their interests."