An Itch Means a Stranger is Coming

  Last week I received a big envelope of letters about Touch Blue from Tamra Wight's fourth graders in Poland Spring, Maine. They created their own lobster buoys and wrote their letters on the back. I was so charmed that I told Tamra I was speaking at the University of Maine at Farmington on Tuesday night, and I could swing by her class that afternoon and answer the kids' questions in person, if she thought they'd like that.  Tami is an amazing teacher, and she thought it would be a fun surprise for the kids!

So only Tamra and the school secretary knew I was coming.  When I stepped into the classroom and pulled out those buoys, the look on the kids' faces was priceless!  I even got some hugs! :-)

  Um, I must be talking about something serious here!  Why is Eben so mean?  Foster Care?  I don't remember exactly, but their questions were thoughtful ones, and I answered them thoughtfully. 

I loved this activity that Tami did with the kids. They were asked to pick a moment in Touch Blue and draw what they had visualized. I loved all of them, but I'll just show you a few.

  Everyone cheered when Aaron was done.   

  Libby nods, her antenna bobbing.

And such great drawings!

  Tess and her dad were fishing for lobsters. They had found a baby lobster but they threw him back because he is worth nothing. 

  The Copycats:  Dad with his cement block traps, fooling the other fishermen.

  Dad guns the engine.

  Such a fun day!