Early yesterday evening, the Sassistas! discovered a large package leaning against Flannista's front door. It was from Peter Reynolds, the author of Ish. Two weeks earlier, Flann had sent to Peter her copy of Ish signed by all the First Graders who loved the book so much they wanted to personally thank the author.
In yesterday's package was a signed copy of Peter's book, So Few of Me -- about taking time to dream -- plus a special message from him on a postcard. It made our day. It will make yours, too.
The tiny print in the upper left of the back of Peter's postcard is a short bio of Peter and how he dedicated his life's journey to transformational storytelling through his books, and films, as well as through Fablevision, his educational transmedia company. He brought his mission to his hometown of Deham, MA, where he co-founded The Blue Bunny, a book, art and toy shop" -- which also serves as his headquarters for his prints and art "designed to inspire those seeking a creative and meaningful journey."
Here is the link to Fablevision:
http://www.fablevision.com/
The book he sent to me was in a Blue Bunny bag.
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 06:55 AM
Needless to say, this package transformed a typical bad Monday for me. Thank you Peter Reynolds! Thank you, Lesa, who sent me that copy of Ish! And thank you, treesta, for introducing me to some amazing First Graders!
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 07:03 AM
It was also so lovely to see that Matissta was just as excited as I was when we opened the packaged from Peter Reynolds.
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 07:04 AM
On his personal website, Peter Reynolds includes this in his mission:
*****
My journey has been dedicated to helping kids, especially the "off the path" kids. I was one of them myself. Not every student is lucky enough to have a teacher, or adult, see his or her potential.
When I visit students in schools they ask me what my hobbies are. I say thinking, dreaming. If my art and stories can help inspire others to do the same, I'll feel my life had meaning.
*****
The book he sent to me -- So Few of Me -- is about a young lad named Leo who keeps duplicating himself so he can get more things done. But the more
Leos there are, the more things there are they NEVER get done. Leo becomes exhausted and deciders to take a nap. The other Leos wake him and demand to know what he was going. Leo says he was dreaming (which is not on the "To Do" List.) But as Leo continues to dream, the duplicate Leos begin to disappear one by one. Leo wonders, "What if I did less -- but did my BEST? The ONE Leo is all I need. Just me, just one . . . with time to dream."
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 07:28 AM
What a wonderful surprise to come home to find! You do good things and it comes back to you in so many different ways. You and the kids obviously touched Reynold's heart.
Posted by: treesta | April 03, 2012 at 07:31 AM
Yeah, it was pretty wonderful, treesta. How could the kids not touch Reynolds' heart? You know what I'm talkin' about.
You taking any time to dream this week?
What about the rest of you?
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 08:01 AM
BREAK SASS ALERT!
Kentucky won last night. You know what that means, noway.
BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED SASS.
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 08:02 AM
You realize you have the theme for the kids' next writing assignment? Read the book to them and have them write about their dreams. Definitely we need to photocopy the postcard and Reynold's note inside the book to give to each of the children. The kids who are already starting to think about writing as adults will treasure that the rest of their lives!
Posted by: treesta | April 03, 2012 at 08:14 AM
That's exACTly what I thought, treesta! That's what we'll do when the kids get back from spring vacation next week.
Ironically, I saw my financial advisor yesterday who gave me Ameriprise Financial's, "Dream Book" (actually, a brochure). "So Few of Me" has it all over that brochure.
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 08:20 AM
Actually, I have been taking the time to dream this week. The book, "Wild", has me thinking about backpacking the AT. My sister and I have been dreaming about a trip to take this summer - so far our choices are: a road trip across country, fly to Phoenix and take an organized tour of Canyon Country, drive to the Great Smokies and spend a week doing day hikes and visiting the old growth forests. Any thoughts? And I've been doing a little bit of drawing this week - my sister is doing a storyboard for some of her kids in school and needs illustrations for each page on the storyboard. So I'm trying to do some cartoon pictures to go with the story.
Posted by: treesta | April 03, 2012 at 08:24 AM
And, oh, I finally broke down and bought a smartphone. Turns out my cellphone and the plan with it is sooooo outdated, that even with the added internet service, my monthly bill will drop $10. Not bad.
I am tracking the delivery of my phone. It arrived in the Crofton Fedex facility at 7:00 this morning. Maybe I'll get it later today!
Posted by: treesta | April 03, 2012 at 08:28 AM
Peter Reynolds personal website has some interesting advice about cartoons and creativity, treesta. Check it out.
Interestingly, Matiss and I decided to head out to the Grand Canyon, et al, for our respective 60th and 50th birthdays next year. We had been planning a trip to southern France and northern Italy, but we both need to be in the wild, plus it will undoubtedly be cheaper.
Here's the link to Peter Reynolds' personal website:
http://www.peterhreynolds.com/
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 08:37 AM
Congratulations to Flann and the first graders for receiving such a terrific response from Peter Reynolds! I LOVE children's books, especially picture books and plan to add "-ish" and "So Few of Me" to my collection. I am actually thinking of a group of adults to whom I'd like to read "So Few of Me" aloud! I'll let you know if it happens.
Posted by: PEACEsista | April 03, 2012 at 09:45 AM
Speaking of creativity, check out this link to a virtual choir comprised of 3,746 videos to create this video:
http://ericwhitacre.com/the-virtual-choir/
Posted by: treesta | April 03, 2012 at 09:46 AM
I first saw Whitacre's video about six months ago, treesta. Dropped everything and ordered the CD (which won the Grammy for best choral performance this year). I'll have to burn you a copy -- oh, also some Eva Cassidy.
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 10:11 AM
PEACEsista -- I ordered Reynolds' very first book, "Dot", this morning. It's about "making your mark". Seemed like something I ought to read.
Please let us know how adults react to "So Few of Me"! I loved it just sitting here reading it by myself. You have the best reading (and singing) voice, so I'm certain its impact will be even greater.
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 10:14 AM
treesta -- I am completely mistaken. The link in your 9:46 a.m. comment is a brand new Whitacre virtual choir song. So sorry.
It is so beautiful. Thanks for posting it.
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Just ordered the NEW Eric Whitacre CD which includes the beautiful song you posted, treesta. Thanks for taking the time to dream with me today!
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Thanks for making my day, Peter, and all the Sassistas! and their sistas and mistas. This post is all about how gifts multiply exponentially.
Off for lunch with a friend. How can my day get any better?
Posted by: babysis | April 03, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Make it a three-martini lunch, babysis.
(All kidding aside, thanks for your very sweet comment.)
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 11:51 AM
I can see how your Monday was salvaged by this thoughtful gift, Flann. You are SO deserving of this recognition.
Posted by: Sista C | April 03, 2012 at 12:11 PM
It seems Peter Reynolds was as excited to receive the signed book from Flann and the First Graders, as she was to receive a signed book back from him!
Wait til the kids find out. I think they'll be equally as excited.
Obviously Pete Reynolds was meant to write for children. The fact that he took the time and effort to sign and send a book says a lot about an author. I don't think an author of adult books would do the same. Plus his mission statement seems to show how important it is to him to reach out to kids.
Posted by: Matissta | April 03, 2012 at 12:56 PM
If Flann and I are ever in Dedham, MA, we're definitely stopping by The Blue Bunny!
I love the new trend of authors owing or co-owning independent bookstores. I think there's a real place for these storefronts. Not only to pull people in and buy books, but to establish a community. Casually browsing through a bookstore has always been an enjoyable way for me to spend time, especially when the books are stacked out of reach.
Posted by: Matissta | April 03, 2012 at 01:02 PM
Thanks, Sista C -- the kids are the ones deserving of this recognition, but I'm tickled to be a part of it, too.
You bet we're going to The Blue Bunny if we are ever in Dedham, MA, Matissta. Reynolds' bookstore has it all over Nora Roberts' bookstore, I bet.
Here's the website for each:
http://www.bluebunnybooks.com/
http://www.ttpbooks.com/
(Oh, I probably shouldn't be so catty, especially after how nice Reynolds' was to the First Graders!)
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 02:13 PM
Hey -- did you see that you can get a Nora Roberts' beach towel at her bookstore!!!!!
Posted by: Flannista | April 03, 2012 at 02:16 PM