Sydelle Pearl presents her model of sparking children to write based upon a storytelling foundation surrounded by pre and post writing/imagination activities. The focus is on working with children in grades three through six. The format is a combination of storytelling, participation, and discussion. Distribution of bibliography.

Sydelle Pearl describes her journey from children’s librarian to children’s author, emphasizing the power of persistence.

Sydelle Pearl will share some multicultural folktales that she retells with original songs. She will share how teachers can enhance their own storytelling with songs and chants.

Participants will: discuss Sydelle’s story of her father’s death in connection with medical care at end-of-life moments; consider what the visitation policies are at various health care facilities; consider the visitation barriers that affect family members of terminally ill loved ones and how to alleviate these barriers; compare how and if attitudes towards death have changed from 1995 to the present day in health care facilities.

Participants will: discuss Sydelle’s story in connection with incorporating artistic expression into patient care; share related experiences and stories of patients who have been “woken up” via an artistic encounter or otherwise; explore the related insights of Dr. Victoria Sweet in a discussion of her book, God’s Hotel: The Story of a Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine (New York: Riverheard Books, 2012).

Embark on a journey through the world of children’s books, focusing primarily on the work and insights of four luminaries in the field: Jack Prelutsky (poet); Katherine Paterson (novelist); Jill Krementz (photo-essayist); and Maurice Sendak (illustrator/author). Engage in writing exercises that inspire the imagination and develop a sense of voice. Reference books, organizations, periodicals and internet sites for the children’s writer help demystify the process of publication.