Two weeks ago, I posted a list of “not-boring learning books.” When I shared it on Twitter, I tagged several of the authors in case they got the chance to see their books made a 6 year-old’s cut.
Thanks for helping my 6 yr-old discover “Not-boring learning books!” Learning to love nonfiction together! https://t.co/LY3ub7hqej #litchat pic.twitter.com/n8hlVbyfBO
— Mary Wade (@mary_teaching) October 12, 2016
I’m sure most probably just didn’t see it. A few hit “favorite” and a couple retweeted. But Bethany Barton, author of, “I’m Trying to Love Spiders,” responded:
@mary_teaching Hooray! Thanks! What wonderful news! The next one is about slightly-more-lovable bees. Hopefully she approves! ?
— bethany bARTon (@awesomebARTon) October 12, 2016
I read it to my daughter. She squealed and responded:
@awesomebARTon I just read her your tweet, and she said, “I can’t wait to read it! Is she putting it in our library?!” 🙂
— Mary Wade (@mary_teaching) October 12, 2016
And then one more reply from Bethany:
@mary_teaching If it isn’t I’ll send one myself once they come out! Just shoot me a reminder! (My toddler-mom brain will forget!)
— bethany bARTon (@awesomebARTon) October 14, 2016
This was pure gold. Not only did it completely make my daughter’s day, but it reinforced to me the value of Twitter (and other social platforms) for our children and students everywhere. The way it creates possibilities for real, meaningful connection. The way it brings to life faraway names and places. The way it globally amplifies a voice, and then brings audiences back down to a personal scale.
It also reminds me of all the other wonderful examples of this that I’ve seen recently, many of which I shared on Monday with the staff at my old school as I ran a few PD sessions:
- These 3rd graders who let the world in on a hunt to identify an animal skeleton.
- These 2nd graders who sought opinions globally on geography’s impact on individuals’ lives.
- These kindergartners that are hoping to hear a story over Skype.
- These 3/4 graders who want to share their presentations on their country of India.
My daughter and these other young children can’t yet navigate these platforms independently. But they are already starting to catch a glimpse of the digital world and their place and power in it. And I rejoice for such positive and meaningful introductions. I wonder what would happen if students everywhere had similar experiences…
featured image: Case Wade
As a grandmother and former children’s librarian, I am thrilled beyond measure to witness this connection between child and children’s author. Isn’t there a good possibility that this also made the author’s day? What a powerful way for her to feel connected to a woman so kind as to reach out in this way!