One Book, One Community

About the Author
I was born in Brooklyn and lucky enough to have have a mother who read to me and shared with me her own love of poetry. I also remember reading the newspaper with my father and feeling his pride when I sounded out words I didn’t recognize.         

     Growing up, my favorite activities were hopscotch, jumprope and waiting for the good humor man to cycle by with a freezer attached to his handlebars.

     Another favorite activity was writing poems and visiting the library with my mother. Hand in hand we’d descend our wide armchair stoop, walk to the vacant lot on the corner, cross the street, and wait for the big green bus that would whisk us blocks away to the Brooklyn library. Imagine my amazement when I returned decades later to find a library had been built on the vacant lot at the end of my street. Even more amazing, some of my books were on the shelves!

     There are probably as many reasons for writing as there are writers, but I’m sure those visits to the library encouraged me— especially since my mother said all those books were written by people just like me! A few years ago, I came across the quote posted above.  All I hope to say in books, eb white wrote, all I ever hope to say is that I love the world. I feel the exact same way!

     Whatever it is you dream of becoming, believe in that dream. You may have disappointments and setbacks, but a good dream doesn’t pop like a balloon or slip away when you let go of the string. A good dream stays with you, becomes a part of you. A good dream shapes your world and sometimes, introduces you to the nicest people!