While most of our readers were writers of material for children or YA, there were others who either wrote for adults, or weren't writers at all. So as we get to the end of the year, thanks must go to all of them who responded to the call from JaWS to read in our schools.
Rebecca
Tortello:
I read at Carbury Court pictured here
with the librarian in the library. It was lots of fun to read with the children
as they participated eagerly, and I wound up reading three stories as they showed such keen interest.
Lots of smiles all around.
I read Big and Strong..my book part of Literacy 123, Silly
Sally ...by Audrey W ood and Giraffes
Can't Dance by Giles Andrae. All three are good read alouds that invite
movement and laughter but also promote thought and reflection.
I enjoyed reading…encouraged me to
write again.
Bio: From 2007-2011, Dr.
Rebecca Tortello served as a Senior Advisor/Consultant to the Minister of
Education with special responsibility for early childhood, primary and
parenting issues. Dr. Tortello holds a PhD in Comparative Education and
Sociology from Columbia University, a Masters in Teaching and Curriculum from
the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in History and Literature from Harvard University.
A former Assistant Professor of Education at New York’s Adelphi University, for
the past ten years, Dr. Tortello regularly lectures at the University of the
West Indies. She is the author of a number of articles on education as well as
the popular history book, “Pieces of the Past – A Stroll Down Jamaica’s Memory
Lane” (now in its second printing). Dr. Tortello has edited and advised on a
number of early childhood series for Jamaica and co-written the Teacher's Guide
for Pearson's "1,2,3, You and Me." She has also written a number of
children’s books including "My Jamaican ABCs," “Nancy and Grandy
Nanny,” and the Ministry of Education’s titles, “Big and Strong” and “Colouring
My School.”
From April 2012 to February 2015, Dr. Tortello focused on expanding the scope
of the Spanish-Jamaican Foundation as its General Manager. In March 2015, she began a new position as
Quality Education Advisor at UNICEF Jamaica.
Dr. Tortello has also
served on various school boards, the National Council on Education, the Jamaica
Library Service, the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, chairing its Museums
Division, as well as the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO, the Early
Childhood Commission and the National Museum Foundation.
Dr. Tortello is married
to Dr. Jonathan Greenland and they have two young children, Rhys and Maria.
Marie Cunnigham-Clarke
Book read: "Abigail's Glorious
Hair" by Diane Browne
The Grade 3 class
connected immediately with the story about Abigail's
"Poufey" hair. Both the boys and girls enjoyed reminiscing on
their own Poufey hair and having it combed and de-tangled to their
own occasional "OW!" The children joined in the "one
two twist, one two twist" chorus as Abigail's mother
daintily parted and twisted her hair to produce eight
beautiful twists all over Abigail's head. They LOVED the
illustrations and in particular the girls exclaimed with delight
when they saw Abigail's trendy outfit and hairstyle at the end
of the story. The session ended with the students drawing different
aspects of the story. The Class Monitor then formally
thanked me on behalf of the students. A truly delightful experience
to see how the book boosted the self image of the children and helped them
to celebrate and appreciate their African roots. I was subsequently
invited to be a guest reader to a Grade 4 class on June 1, Literacy
Day.
Bio: Marie
Cunnigham-Clarke, is a Communications Consultant (retired). She conceptualized
and is responsible for adjudicating a Speak Up Programme at St Andrew High
School for Grades 7-10 students. The programme aims to improve
students' use of Standard English through annual conversational, poetry and
literary competitions. Grade level winners receive cash and book prizes.
Marie
was recently elected President of The International Proxy Parents (IPP), a
non-profit organization which raises funds for less fortunate children in
Jamaica. Each year IPP gives over $1.5m in scholarships and assistance to
State run childrens' homes in Jamaica.
Erika Heslop Martin
“Reading maketh a
full man, so read and read all you can”. (Francis Bacon) This is a powerful
statement and I believe that it was very fitting for the “Read Across Jamaica” programme
organized by the Jamaican Writers Society and the Jamaica Library Service. On
April 27, 2016, I started the reading programme at Holy Childhood Preparatory
School. I read from the children’s story book: “No Boy like Amanada” written by
Hope Barnett. The children had a wonderful time. They were filled with
enthusiasm and excitement.
On May 3, 2016, “Read Across Jamaica Day,” I read from the
children’s story book: “Butterfly Meadows” by Olivia Moss at Elim Early
Childhood Development Centre. It was such a delightful experience with these 5
and 6 year old children. On May 10, 2016, I read the fishing chapter from the
children’s book: “No Boy Like Amanda “ to a group of 4th graders
from the Porter’s Centre for Knowledge, this was facilitated by Bookophilia.
These children were remarkable! Their motto for the day was: “Readers are
leaders!”
On May 27, 2016, I read to another group of children from
New Providence Primary School which was also facilitated by Bookophilia. It was
wonderful! The book that I read from was: “Tek mi! Tek mi noh!” a book of
Caribbean folk tales published by Carlong Publishers Limited. The reading
programme was great and I would definitely participate again. Many thanks to
the Jamaican Writers Society and Jamaica Library Service for organizing the
programme.
Bio: Erika Heslop
Martin is a Writer/Poet and Business Professional with over twenty years of
writing experience and over twelve years of professional experience in
accounting, financial and administrative management from several corporate
entities in Jamaica. She is a graduate
of Camperdown High, the University of Technology, Jamaica and the University
College of the Caribbean. She has published three books of poetry and
motivational messages (A Poetic Revelation, The Power of Words and A Poetic
Journey) and is in the process of writing other books. She contributes poetry
to the Sunday Gleaner periodically, Facebook , you tube and poemhunter.com. She
also presents poetry at a wide variety of events and judges poetry competitions
as well. Her books can be found on Amazon and in several bookstores in Jamaica.
She is a Director of the Jamaican Writers Society, a member of Book Industry
Association of Jamaica, a member of the Poetry Society of Jamaica, a member of
JAM Copy, a member of We Connect International and a member of Young
Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica. She is a Creative Entrepreneur with a lot
of potential; and is excited about exploring and utilizing all her talents to
live a more fulfilling life and to make a positive contribution to her country
and the world at large. She loves to write, read, recite poetry, dance, sing,
cook, dabble into fashion, take pictures, travel, motivate others to be the
best they can be and invest time with God, family and friends.
Bookfusion:
Weeks ago I should have mentioned
BookFusion, an enterprise recently established by a young couple. They did a presentation at one of our coffee
mornings. It’s a space where you can buy Jamaican books (children’s; yes, children’s!) and it’s also
the digital library for books from the Ministry of Education. This is what we
always said we wanted and here we are dragging our feet again. Instead of
sending a hallelujah chorus (no disrespect especially at this time of year)
and taking advantage of it, we are wandering around and wondering what next to do.
(This is directed to myself as I am not having
the big writing weekend I planned. A
little bit devastating to find you have
all the time really and you’re still stuck
. . .)
